‘Sikandar’ Review: Salman Must Stop, for His Own Sake and Ours
Introduction
Salman Khan’s latest film, Sikandar, promised to be an action-packed entertainer, blending high-octane sequences with his signature larger-than-life persona. However, what unfolds on screen is a reminder that even the biggest stars need to evolve with time. While Salman’s presence is undeniable, the film suffers from weak storytelling, excessive reliance on outdated tropes, and an unwillingness to break new ground.
Plot Summary
Sikandar follows the story of a former intelligence officer, played by Salman Khan, who is forced out of retirement when a new global threat emerges. Tasked with stopping an international conspiracy, he must navigate a web of deceit, betrayal, and action sequences that attempt to mask the film’s deeper flaws. Along the way, we see his character engage in over-the-top fight scenes, deliver punchlines that no longer land as effectively, and romance a heroine nearly half his age.
Performance: Salman Khan in Auto-Pilot Mode
Salman Khan, one of Bollywood’s most bankable stars, has reached a point in his career where his presence alone guarantees a certain level of audience engagement. However, in Sikandar, he delivers yet another performance that feels painfully familiar. His stoic expressions, slow-motion entries, and predictable action sequences may have worked in the past, but they now come off as repetitive.
While Salman’s physicality remains impressive, the lack of depth in his character makes it difficult to connect with him emotionally. We’ve seen him play similar roles in films like Tiger Zinda Hai, Kick, and Wanted, but Sikandar fails to offer anything new. At 58, Salman’s reluctance to step outside his comfort zone is becoming increasingly evident, and this film does little to challenge him as an actor.
Supporting Cast and Wasted Potential
The supporting cast, including a talented ensemble of seasoned actors and fresh faces, is criminally underutilized. The film introduces intriguing side characters, only to discard them without proper development. The leading lady, played by a much younger actress, is reduced to a love interest with minimal depth. Instead of offering a strong female character, the film falls into the old trap of making her a mere accessory to the hero’s journey.
The antagonist, supposedly a mastermind behind global chaos, is written so poorly that his motivations never feel convincing. A weak villain often leads to a weak story, and Sikandar is no exception. The film’s attempt to create a compelling conflict falls flat, making the climax predictable and uninspiring.
Action and Direction: A Tired Formula
Director AR Murugadoss, known for his high-energy films, attempts to craft a visually appealing action thriller. However, the execution feels like a rehash of Bollywood’s overused action formula—slow-motion fights, exaggerated stunts, and Salman taking on dozens of enemies with ease. The CGI-heavy sequences, meant to add grandeur, instead highlight the film’s lack of realism.
One of the biggest drawbacks of Sikandar is its overindulgence in fan service. The film is so preoccupied with glorifying its lead actor that it forgets to focus on coherent storytelling. The narrative jumps from one action set piece to another, leaving little room for genuine character development or emotional depth.
Why Salman Must Stop—For His Own Sake and Ours
At this stage in his career, Salman Khan should be experimenting with roles that challenge him rather than relying on outdated formulas. Sikandar is yet another reminder that Bollywood’s obsession with larger-than-life action heroes is beginning to wear thin. The audience has evolved, and they demand more than just star power.
Actors like Shah Rukh Khan and Akshay Kumar have shown a willingness to take risks and reinvent themselves with films like Pathaan and OMG 2. Salman, on the other hand, appears stuck in a loop, refusing to adapt. His recent films have relied more on nostalgia and mass appeal rather than genuine innovation. If he continues down this path, he risks alienating even his most loyal fans.
Conclusion
Sikandar is a film that highlights the growing gap between Salman Khan’s stardom and the evolving expectations of audiences. While his presence alone can still draw crowds, the film’s lack of originality, weak narrative, and over-the-top action make it a forgettable addition to his filmography. It’s time for Salman to step outside his comfort zone, take on roles that challenge him, and redefine his legacy before it’s too late.
For the sake of cinema, and for his own artistic growth, Salman Khan must stop making films like Sikandar. If he doesn’t, audiences might soon stop watching.
