Rashmika Mandanna Addresses Sikandar's Box Office Failure
Rashmika Mandanna recently shared her thoughts on why the film Sikandar did not meet expectations. She pointed to significant changes in the script during production as a key factor. The actress explained that the final movie differed greatly from the original story she heard.
Script Evolution During Filming
Rashmika noted that scripts often evolve during filmmaking. Performances, editing decisions, and release timelines can all influence the final product. She stated this is a common occurrence in the industry. Sikandar followed this pattern, with the narrative shifting from its initial concept.
In the film, Rashmika plays the wife of Salman Khan's character. Her character meets an early demise in the first half. The plot then focuses on Salman's quest for revenge against the main antagonist, portrayed by Sathyaraj.
Box Office Performance and Budget
Sikandar released during the Eid festival last year. Despite Salman Khan's star power and production by Sajid Nadiadwala's Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment, the film struggled financially. It earned approximately Rs 110.10 crore domestically against a budget of Rs 200 crore. This result marked it as one of the year's notable underperformers.
AR Murugadoss Criticizes Hindi Film Industry Practices
Director AR Murugadoss previously blamed several factors for Sikandar's failure. He highlighted challenges in working within the Hindi film industry. Murugadoss mentioned issues with language barriers during script translation processes.
The filmmaker expressed discomfort working in an unfamiliar cultural environment. He compared the experience to feeling handicapped. Murugadoss also criticized the superstar culture prevalent in Bollywood. He cited difficulties with shooting schedules, noting that day scenes sometimes had to be filmed at night due to actor availability.
Salman Khan's Response to Criticism
Salman Khan defended himself against Murugadoss's remarks. He explained his late arrivals on set resulted from recovering from a broken rib sustained during action sequences. Salman questioned Murugadoss's assessment by comparing Sikandar's performance to the director's subsequent Telugu film Madhraasi.
Madhraasi, starring Sivakarthikeyan, also underperformed at the box office despite the lead actor's punctuality. It earned about Rs 62.57 crore domestically on a Rs 100 crore budget. Salman suggested that factors beyond actor schedules contributed to both films' struggles.
Ongoing Blame Game and Industry Dynamics
The exchange between Salman Khan and AR Murugadoss reveals deeper tensions within film production. Both parties have offered different perspectives on accountability. Rashmika Mandanna's comments add another layer to the discussion, focusing on creative changes during filming.
Salman previously acknowledged he does not regret doing Sikandar because he believed the plot had merit. However, the film's commercial outcome has sparked this public debate about responsibility and industry practices.
This situation underscores the complex factors influencing a film's success. Script integrity, production challenges, and star dynamics all play crucial roles. The Sikandar case serves as a reminder of how collaborative efforts in filmmaking can sometimes lead to conflicting viewpoints when results fall short of expectations.
