Sikandar was released today, and it delivers nothing more than an exhausting and outdated spectacle, proving yet again that even the biggest superstars can’t save a film from bad writing.
A Predictable, Stale Storyline
The film follows Sikandar (Salman Khan), a rogue with a mysterious past who is drawn into a world of crime, betrayal, and vengeance. If that sounds familiar, it’s because it is. Sikandar shamelessly recycles every gangster-action trope from the past two decades, adding nothing fresh or exciting to the mix. The narrative is riddled with lazy writing, forced emotional moments, and cringeworthy dialogue that feels more like an afterthought than a screenplay.
Salman Khan on Autopilot
It’s no secret that Salman Khan’s films rely heavily on his larger-than-life persona. But even for his standards, his performance here is shockingly uninspired. He sleepwalks through the role, delivering dialogues with the same monotonous expression he’s worn in his last five films. His action scenes lack energy, and his emotional moments are downright laughable. There’s nothing in his performance that justifies why Sikandar exists in the first place.
Action Without Substance
Sure, Sikandar is packed with action sequences, but they are the same gravity-defying, physics-defying stunts we’ve seen countless times. Cars flip unnecessarily, bullets magically avoid the protagonist, and henchmen fall in the most exaggerated ways possible. The lack of tension makes every fight scene feel pointless, as Sikandar never appears to be in real danger. Add to that an overuse of slow-motion shots and jarring editing, and the film’s action turns into an unintentional comedy.
Forgettable Supporting Cast & Weak Antagonist
Salman Khan, despite his undeniable star power, seems to be on autopilot. Rashmika Mandanna and Kajal Aggarwal barely get anything to work with, their performances wasted in underwritten roles. Sathyaraj, Sharman Joshi, and Prateik Babbar attempt to add some gravitas but are ultimately let down by the weak screenplay. Even a talented ensemble cannot salvage the film from its dull execution.
A Bloated Runtime & Painful Dialogues
Clocking in at nearly 2.30 hours, Sikandar overstays its welcome by a long shot. The pacing is sluggish, and unnecessary subplots drag the film even further. Dialogues are meant to sound powerful but come off as absurdly outdated and unintentionally hilarious.
Also Read: 10 Best Shah Rukh Khan Films That Prove Why He’s Bollywood’s Ultimate Superstar
Final Verdict: A Colossal Misfire
Sikandar is an exercise in everything that’s wrong with Bollywood’s mass entertainers today—lazy writing, over-the-top action, and a refusal to evolve. Even the most die-hard Salman Khan fans will struggle to defend this mess. With a predictable plot, uninspired performances, and mind-numbing action, this is a film best avoided. Save your money, save your time, and rewatch Wanted or Dabangg instead. At least those had some charm.
Final Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ 1/5
