Sikandar (2025) Review

Salman Khan is back. And this time he's not just breaking bones; he's breaking emotional barriers.

Directed by A R Murugadoss, Sikandar promises a concoction of action, emotions and a noble mission. Set against the backdrop of Gujarat and Mumbai, the film follows Sanjay Rajkot, fondly called Sikandar (Salman Khan), a man with a golden heart and fists of fury. His world shatters when his wife Saisri (Rashmika Mandanna) dies in a bomb blast. But instead of just mourning her loss, he makes her the saviour of three lives through organ donation. And the messiah with muscles then embarks on a self-imposed mission to protect these three individuals from sinister forces.

If you're looking for a nuanced, layered story that keeps you guessing, Sikandar is not that movie. But if you want high-octane action sequences, dramatic monologues, and villains who overact like their rent depends on it, then it delivers in spades. Predictable? Absolutely. Entertaining? Well, let's see.

On paper, Sikandar has all the ingredients of a classic mass entertainer - a larger-than-life hero, a righteous cause, intense action sequences and emotional depth. But while the film aims to be both a tearjerker and a testosterone-fuelled ride, it struggles to strike the right balance.

The movie begins on a promising note, setting up a world where Sanjay is loved and respected. Saisri's tragic demise carries genuine emotional weight. But as the narrative progresses, it becomes clear that subtlety is not on the menu. Every emotion is amplified tenfold, every action sequence is a little too long, and every villain is as menacing as a cartoon character.

The film's biggest strength is also its biggest drawback - it plays completely to Salman Khan's strengths. The screenplay, dialogues and action sequences are designed to reinforce his star power rather than tell a gripping story. While that's a treat for his fans, it does limit the movie's broader appeal. The emotional moments, which should have been poignant, often feel over-dramatic or forced.

That being said, there are some genuinely engaging moments. The backstories of the organ recipients add a human touch, and some of the father-son antagonist moments do carry weight (even if they are drowned in melodrama). However, the film never really elevates itself beyond these fleeting moments.

Salman Khan delivers exactly what his fans expect - an alpha male persona who can punch through walls and deliver monologues about morality with the same intensity. If you love his signature style, you'll be in for a treat. If you're hoping for a layered performance like Bajrangi Bhaijaan or Sultan, you might be a tad disappointed.

Rashmika Mandanna exists mainly in flashbacks and has limited screen time, but brings earnestness to her role. Sharman Joshi as Sanjay's loyal aide delivers a restrained, impactful performance, offering some of the movie's more believable moments.

The weakest link are the villains. Sathyaraj, who plays a minister, spends most of his time delivering fiery speeches and twirling his metaphorical mustache. His son Arjun (Prateik Babbar) was supposed to be a menacing and over-the-top antagonist, but feels more like a video game boss than a real threat.

The action sequences, choreographed by Kevin Kumar, are the film's major selling point, and while they are grand, they often fall into the same old slow-motion-heavy formula. There are only so many times you can see enemies flying through the air before it becomes unintentionally funny.

The cinematography does a commendable job in capturing the grandeur expected from a Salman Khan film. The locations in Gujarat are beautifully shot, and Mumbai's chaos is depicted with gritty realism. However, the film's background score by Santhosh Narayanan is merely functional. The emotional scenes, which should have had rousing music, feel oddly underwhelming.

The editing is another issue - at 160 minutes, the movie overstays its welcome. A tighter narrative would have done wonders in keeping things engaging.

So if you're a die-hard Salman Khan fan, Sikandar will be a blast. It has all the elements that make his films crowd-pulling phenomena - slow-motion entries, power-packed action and over-the-top heroism. For casual moviegoers, the film offers moments of fun but falls short of being truly engaging. The emotional depth, which could have set it apart, gets drowned under layers of melodrama and predictable storytelling. If you're in the mood for an action-packed entertainer with minimal logic but maximum flair, you can give this one a shot.