In the ever-evolving world of Indian cinema, 2025 was a year of massive releases and unexpected outcomes. One of the most talked-about projects was Sikandar, the high-octane action drama that brought together Bollywood superstar Salman Khan and the “National Crush” Rashmika Mandanna for the first time. However, while the film created immense buzz before its Eid 2025 release, it ultimately struggled to leave a mark at the box office. This week, Rashmika Mandanna finally broke her silence on why the film might have missed the mark.
A Drastic Shift in the Story
During a candid interview with Telugu journalist Prema on January 19, 2026, Rashmika shared a surprising revelation: the movie she signed was not exactly the movie that hit the theaters. She explained that director A.R. Murugadoss significantly altered the script during the production process.
“When I heard the script, it was indeed quite a different script. Later, what happened was very different,” Rashmika admitted.
She noted that while actors often hear one story during narration, the project can shift based on performances, editing choices, and even the pressures of the release date. In the case of Sikandar, these changes seem to have fundamentally altered the narrative. In the final version, Rashmika’s character, Saishri, is killed off in the first half, turning the film into a standard revenge saga. Many fans felt this move wasted her talent and stripped the film of the emotional depth they expected from the original pitch.
The Struggle for Chemistry
Beyond the script changes, Sikandar faced criticism for the lack of chemistry between the lead pair. With a 31-year age gap between Salman and Rashmika, many viewers found their romantic pairing unconvincing. Social media was flooded with comments calling the duo a “mismatch,” with some fans even remarking that they looked more like a father and daughter than a couple.
Rashmika acknowledged the challenges of the role, calling the experience “nerve-wracking.” While she has built a reputation for performance-heavy roles in films like Animal and Pushpa, Sikandar represented her first attempt at being a traditional “commercial Bollywood heroine.” Unfortunately, the choppy editing and a weak supporting cast made it difficult for her to shine.
conflict behind scene
The film’s disappointing run earning roughly ₹185 crore worldwide against a ₹200 crore budget also led to a public “blame game” between the director and the star. Reports surfaced that A.R. Murugadoss blamed the film’s flaws on Salman Khan’s late arrivals to the set. Salman quickly countered these claims, explaining that his delays were due to a broken rib he sustained while filming the movie’s intense action sequences.
Despite the friction, Salman remains defensive of the film’s core idea, stating in recent interviews that he does not regret the project because the “plot was good.”
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