Renowned filmmaker AR Murugadoss, who has helmed blockbusters with some of India’s biggest stars, has revealed that directing a film with a superstar like Salman Khan, his collaborator in the forthcoming action flick Sikandar, demands a delicate balance. Murugadoss admitted that staying entirely faithful to a script becomes tricky when catering to the expectations of a massive fanbase.
“You can’t make a regular film with a superstar. It’s about giving the fans what they want—those larger-than-life moments—which means you can’t always be 100 per cent true to the original vision,” he said speaking to PTI.
Murugadoss, a veteran of South Indian cinema, has worked with titans like Rajinikanth (Darbar), Vijay (Sarkar, Kaththi, Thuppakki), Suriya (Ghajini), Ajith Kumar (Dheena), Mahesh Babu (Spyder), and Chiranjeevi (Stalin). Now, after steering Aamir Khan to box-office glory with Ghajini, he’s teamed up with Salman Khan for Sikandar, set for an Eid release on 30 March 2025. The director stressed that superstars, with their unwavering dedication to their followers, shape the filmmaking process. “They’re passionate about maintaining and growing their stardom. As directors, we learn from their commitment,” he noted.
Sikandar, tailored for Salman’s ardent supporters, promises to differ from his past outings. “It’s got unique elements,” Murugadoss shared. “Like Ghajini had a tender love story, this one features a heartfelt husband-wife narrative.” Beyond the high-octane action fans crave, the film carries a poignant message about family. “In today’s rush, people barely spend time with loved ones—parents, friends. This commercial entertainer subtly reminds us to cherish those bonds,” he explained.
The collaboration with Salman traces back to 2014, when Murugadoss, then shooting Holiday with Akshay Kumar, met Khan on Madh Island. “I told him I wanted to work together, and he said the same,” the Chennai-based director recalled. Years later, producer Sajid Nadiadwala tapped Murugadoss for a fresh script, deeming Salman ideal for the lead. After months of development, a 30-minute narration at Salman’s Galaxy apartment sealed the deal. “He stepped out for a smoke, then asked if I’d adapt to his 2 pm-to-2 am schedule. I knew he was hooked,” Murugadoss chuckled.
Directing Salman wasn’t without its challenges. “We’d often disagree on scenes, so we’d shoot both versions and settle it in the edit,” he said. The cast, including Rashmika Mandanna as the female lead, brings depth to the tale. Addressing their age gap, Murugadoss justified, “The story explains his late marriage—it fits.” Kajal Aggarwal, Sathyaraj, and Prateik Babbar round out the ensemble.
Juggling Sikandar with Madharasi (starring Sivakarthikeyan), Murugadoss faced logistical hurdles. “Rain delayed Madharasi’s schedules, so I asked for a pause to wrap Sikandar first,” he said. With 20 days left on Madharasi, slated for a 2025 release, the director’s knack for managing superstar-driven projects shines through once more.