Rashmika Mandanna Says Sikandar Script Changed Midway: ‘Later What Happened Was Very Different’
Actor Rashmika Mandanna has opened up about her decision to sign Sikandar, revealing that the script she initially heard underwent significant changes during the filmmaking process. Her comments have reignited online discussions around the film’s failure at the box office and the widely criticised lack of chemistry between her and co-star Salman Khan.
A clip from Rashmika’s interview has resurfaced on social media, prompting fresh debate on whether the film’s fate could ever have been different.
‘The Script Was Quite Different’
Speaking to Telugu journalist Prema in a recent interaction, Rashmika reflected on her experience with Sikandar and hinted that the final version of the film diverged sharply from the original narration.
“Sikandar, I remember talking to Murugadoss sir, of course later what happened was very different… But when I heard the script, it was indeed quite a different script,” she said, referring to director A R Murugadoss.
She added that such changes are not unusual in the film industry. “Generally that happens with films. When you listen to something it is one story that you have listened to… but over the making of the film, things change according to the performances, according to the edits, according to the time of the release. Things change and that is very common. So that happened with Sikandar.”
Social Media Reacts: ‘Nothing Could Have Saved It’
The resurfaced clip quickly made its way to platforms like Reddit and X, where users revisited long-standing criticism of the film. While a few wondered if Rashmika’s role was reduced during editing, most reactions were blunt.
“Who cares as chemistry was zero,” one user commented, while another wrote, “Nothing could have saved this disaster. Bhai’s acting was lazy and he looked completely disinterested.”
Several viewers pointed to aggressive post-production changes. One detailed comment noted that over 20 minutes were cut beyond censor requirements, making the narrative incoherent and transitions abrupt. Others criticised the supporting cast, arguing that characters played by Sathyaraj, Kajal Aggarwal, Prateik Babbar, and Sharman Joshi were either underwritten or edited down.
Another user observed, “The dance and songs seemed longer than her speaking parts. Blessing in disguise, because it was a bad film anyway.”
About Sikandar and Its Box Office Performance
Sikandar marked Salman Khan’s return to the big screen after 2023 and A.R. Murugadoss’ return to Hindi cinema after nine years. The film followed the story of Rajkot’s king Sanjay Rajkot, also known as Sikandar, who travels to Mumbai after the death of his wife Saishri to protect three people who received her organs, while battling a powerful politician.
Despite a reported budget of ₹200 crore, the film earned only ₹185 crore worldwide, according to Sacnilk, failing to recover its costs and drawing criticism for its execution.
Salman Khan’s View on the Film
Interestingly, Salman Khan himself does not count Sikandar among his career regrets. During an episode of Bigg Boss 19, comedian Ravi Gupta asked him about films he regretted doing.
Looking back, Salman named Suryavanshi (1992) and Nishchay (1992), but defended Sikandar. “Log kehte hain Sikandar par main nahi maanta, uska plot bahut acha tha,” he said, maintaining that the story itself was strong.
Our Thoughts
Rashmika Mandanna’s comments highlight a familiar reality of mainstream cinema—scripts often evolve, sometimes to their detriment. While changes during filming are common, Sikandar appears to be a case where excessive edits, rushed timelines, and creative compromises weakened the final product. The backlash also reflects changing audience expectations, where star power alone is no longer enough to guarantee success. Ultimately, Sikandar serves as a reminder that execution matters just as much as concept.
