At the trailer launch event for Sikandar, Salman Khan, 59, addressed criticism regarding the 31-year age gap between him and his co-star, Rashmika Mandanna, 28. In response to the ongoing discussion, Khan offered a lighthearted yet firm remark.
“They say there’s a 31-year difference between the heroine and me. If the heroine has no problem with it and her father has no problem, why do you?” he questioned, drawing laughs from the audience.
His response came amid promotional activities for the much-anticipated action thriller, which has reignited debates over age differences in Bollywood pairings.
Sikandar marks Rashmika Mandanna’s first collaboration with Salman Khan—or any of Bollywood’s “Khans.” Having already worked with younger superstars like Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal in blockbuster hits, this film sees her paired with a 50-plus leading man for the first time. Reports suggest she is also keen on collaborating with Shah Rukh Khan in the future.
Directed by A.R. Murugadoss and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, Sikandar is an action-packed thriller with Salman Khan in the titular role. The film also features Rashmika Mandanna, Kajal Aggarwal, Sathyaraj, Sharman Joshi, and Prateik Babbar.
The story revolves around a fearless young man who takes on a powerful network of corruption, fighting for the rights of the oppressed in a society plagued by injustice.
Scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on March 30, 2025, Sikandar will hit cinemas in both standard and IMAX formats across approximately 5,000 screens in India, coinciding with the Eid al-Fitr festivities.