What went wrong with Sikandar? Trade experts share their views: “The organ donation track didn’t work. It seemed makers wanted to blend Bajrangi Bhaijaan with action. They also added a dash of Jai Ho…”

The box office numbers and content of Sikandar have shocked the trade, industry and also the core fans of Salman Khan. We spoke to trade experts to understand what went wrong with this highly-awaited Eid release.

 

What went wrong with Sikandar? Trade experts share their views: “The organ donation track didn’t work. It seemed makers wanted to blend Bajrangi Bhaijaan with action. They also added a dash of Jai Ho…”

 

Vishek Chauhan, owner of Roopbani Cinema in Purnia, Bihar, explained, “It was a rank bad film. What was the need to finish off the heroine in such a manner? That secretary (Sharman Joshi) doesn’t inform Sikandar that his wife is critical. Kaisa aadmi hai yeh? If my secretary had hidden my wife’s serious health condition from me, I would have killed that secretary! And how did she get hit by that shrapnel? Aur usko aisa laga ki woh marr bhi gayi bechari!”

 

He continued, “The villain’s intention is very childish. Why didn’t he simply kill Sikandar? Since Sikandar killed his son, he should want to kill Sikandar. But instead, he decides to kill the organ recipients. Yeh kaisi story hai (laughs)? I don’t know what the makers were smoking when they greenlit this film. How did Salman agree to do this film and why did Sajid Nadiadwala agree to bankroll such a messed-up script? And how did someone let A R Murugadoss make this film?”

 

He also said, “It should have been a linear script. Sikandar beats the minister’s son; the minister decides to take revenge. During the confrontation, the minister ends up killing his wife, prompting Sikandar to go after him. Ideally, it should have had a cat-and-mouse chase. The whole organ donation bit didn’t work. It seemed like that they wanted to blend Bajrangi Bhaijaan with action. They also added a dash of Jai Ho of a man helping people for social good.”

 

Trade veteran Taran Adarsh exclaimed, “The script of the film is poor. It is not Sathyaraj, it is the writing that is the villain in the film!”

 

He added, “The antagonist is weak while the chemistry between Salman and Rashmika Mandanna is missing. The emotions don’t touch your heart. Salman’s film songs have been great but here, the music is lacking. Overall, it was a weak package.”

 

He further stated, “Star power can help only to a certain extent. Ultimately, the content does the talking. When you watch Sikandar, it becomes very clear that it is not going to work. The storyline was interesting but it seemed like a lot got cut in the edit. The film looks disjointed and it raises questions. When you falter in terms of writing, then everything goes for a toss. When the foundation itself is weak, the building won’t withstand for long.”

 

Taran Adarsh also spoke about the film’s box office trending saying, “Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan underperformed. Tiger 3 also did well but not quite expected. However, Sikandar has come as a shocker. There should have been some effect of Eid on Wednesday, April 2. Yet, look at the figures. In multiplexes, it has been rejected outright. Hence, Salman needs to do some serious rethinking. He needs to introspect.”

 

 

The experts also complained about Salman Khan’s soulless performance. Taran Adarsh revealed, “This is the first time I have not liked Salman Khan. Even in Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, there was enthusiasm on his part. Here, he wasn’t enthusiastic at all. It was a very lacklustre performance. God has blessed him with good looks but here, he was not looking his best.”

 

Girish Johar, producer and film business analyst, agreed, “In this film, he seemed disinterested. A star can’t take anyone for granted – be it your director, producer, technician, co-stars, exhibitors and above all, the audience. When you give them substandard content, you might indirectly push your fans away. No actor would want that. Hence, he should put on his thinking cap and get something ahead of the curve.”

 

Vishek Chauhan also remarked, “Another concern I have with Salman Khan is that I believe he’s battling some health issue as well. It becomes evident when you watch him – his movements are lethargic and not the way they used to be. It is clear that he has issues moving around. Before getting on the set again, Salman needs to sort this out. He needs to lose at least 15-20 kgs. His weight is not looking good on him. There’s no doubt that he is a very good looking man and he needs to become the best-looking person that he was earlier.”

 

Distributor and exhibitor Raj Bansal agreed, “He probably is suffering from health issues. He has put on weight and can’t walk properly.”

 

He added, “I haven’t seen any biggie receiving such a bad response in recent times. I also don’t recall any film getting such backlash from the fans of an actor ever. It is one of the chief reasons why the film suffered a huge drop within a few days of its release.”

 

Lifetime predictions

 

Sikandar has collected Rs. 98.75 crores until Monday, April 7. When asked about the lifetime, Vishek Chauhan sighed, “Whether it does Rs. 110 crores or Rs. 125 crores, it is still a disappointing figure, right?”

 

Raj Bansal predicted, “I think it could do Rs. 125 crores.”

 

Taran Adarsh thundered, “Some YouTubers are celebrating that Sikandar will cross the Rs. 100 crores mark. I was so shocked to hear that. Shah Rukh Khan has delivered two Rs. 500 crores films. Sunny Deol, Ranbir Kapoor and even Vicky Kaushal have a film in the Rs. 500 crores club. Stree 2 also crossed the coveted mark. And they are celebrating Rs. 100 crores for Sikandar? Aapke honth bhi nahin kaape?”

 

He continued, “If a newcomer delivers a Rs. 100 crores grosser, then celebrating the feat is understandable. But Salman delivered Rs. 300 crores films 10 years ago and here, Sikandar is struggling to reach Rs. 100 crores mark.”

 

Girish Johar, on the other hand, had a different point of view, “It’ll do Rs. 100 crores. It’s an achievement since some of the biggest films are unable to do so.”

 

Also Read: Salman Khan’s double-digit days shrink to an All-Time low with Sikandar

Catch us for latest Bollywood News, New Bollywood Movies update, Box office collection,New Movies Release, Bollywood News Hindi, Entertainment News, Bollywood News Today & upcoming movies 2024 and stay updated with latest hindi movies only on Bollywood Hungama.