Salman Khan's 'Sikandar' – A Comeback Gone Wrong
Ankit Gupta | Apr 02, 2025, 10:53 IST
Highlight of the story: Salman Khan's latest film, Sikandar, released on March 30, 2025, has not met expectations at the box office and among audiences. Despite an extensive release across over 5,500 screens in India and approximately 22,000 shows daily, the film garnered an opening collection of ₹30 crore.
Salman Khan’s latest cinematic venture, Sikandar, was supposed to be his triumphant return to the silver screen in full form. Released with massive expectations, the film carried the hopes of his ardent fans and the industry alike. However, despite an extensive marketing campaign and a grand Eid release, Sikandar has turned out to be one of the biggest disappointments in recent Bollywood history. The film’s failure has left trade analysts, fans, and critics dissecting where it all went wrong. With an underwhelming box office performance and scathing reviews, the question remains: What caused Sikandar to flop so spectacularly?
The Hype and Expectations
Salman and Rashmika Manda
Before its release, Sikandar was being hailed as Salman Khan’s big comeback to mass entertainment after a series of lukewarm responses to his previous films. The project had all the elements of a blockbuster – a larger-than-life protagonist, high-octane action sequences, and a dose of emotion that typically resonates with the masses. The trailer painted a picture of an action-packed thriller with Salman Khan in his signature macho avatar, coupled with a star-studded supporting cast, including Rashmika Mandanna and Sharman Joshi. Fans anticipated that the film would break records, with some even predicting it could cross ₹500 crores at the box office.
The industry, too, placed its bets on Sikandar. With over 5,500 screens booked in India and a staggering 22,000 daily shows, the film had a robust release strategy. Social media buzz and pre-release ticket sales indicated that Sikandar had generated immense curiosity. Trade analysts expected a strong opening, which it did manage to secure with ₹30 crores on Day 1. However, the euphoria was short-lived as negative reviews and word-of-mouth criticism began affecting ticket sales almost immediately.
Where Did It Go Wrong?
In and as Salman Khan
Despite the promising start, Sikandar quickly lost momentum. The film’s downfall can be attributed to multiple factors, primarily the weak storyline and uninspiring execution. While Salman Khan has successfully carried films on his star power alone in the past, Sikandar proved that audiences have evolved and now demand compelling storytelling along with larger-than-life heroics.
Critics were unanimous in their assessment that the screenplay lacked depth and originality. Many pointed out that Sikandar followed a predictable template, failing to offer anything new to audiences. The Times of India highlighted that the film’s biggest flaw was its lack of a gripping narrative, making it feel like a rehashed version of Salman’s previous action flicks. The dialogues were forgettable, and the screenplay dragged unnecessarily, testing the patience of even the most loyal Salman fans.
The action sequences, which were supposed to be the film’s highlight, failed to impress. Unlike the breathtaking stunts in Tiger 3 or Bajrangi Bhaijaan’s emotional depth, Sikandar fell flat in both departments. Even the music, often a major draw in Salman Khan films, failed to leave a lasting impact. Rashmika Mandanna, who was expected to bring freshness to the film, was underutilized, while Sharman Joshi’s role was deemed uninspired and wasted.
Moreover, the emergence of newer, more nuanced Bollywood films that blend action with strong storytelling has made audiences more discerning. Recent hits like Pathaan and Animal have set a new benchmark, making Sikandar seem outdated in its approach. Social media was abuzz with fans calling the film a ‘lazy attempt’ at cashing in on Salman’s stardom rather than delivering a well-crafted cinematic experience.
The Aftermath and Lessons for Bollywood
Forgotten Past
The failure of Sikandar has sparked debates within the industry about the changing preferences of Bollywood audiences. It serves as a stark reminder that star power alone is no longer enough to guarantee success. Audiences today demand innovative scripts, engaging storytelling, and compelling performances over formulaic cinema.
For Salman Khan, Sikandar’s debacle is a wake-up call. While his loyal fanbase remains intact, the film’s performance indicates that they, too, are craving something fresh. The actor must rethink his film choices, possibly collaborating with visionary directors who can reinvent his on-screen persona rather than relying on outdated tropes.
The industry as a whole can learn from Sikandar’s failure. Bollywood has entered a new era where content is king. With the rise of OTT platforms and competition from South Indian cinema, filmmakers can no longer afford to churn out mediocre, repetitive stories and expect them to work purely on star appeal.
Despite its disappointing run, Sikandar may still find some redemption in satellite and digital rights sales. However, its theatrical failure will go down as one of the biggest lessons for Salman Khan and the Hindi film industry. In an era where storytelling reigns supreme, even the biggest stars must adapt to evolving audience tastes, or risk becoming relics of the past.