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.

Streaming platforms are back with a rich slate of new content this week, catering to diverse tastes with genres spanning war thrillers, crime dramas, fantasy musicals, and deeply emotional stories. Viewers can look forward to major releases like Sky Force, Officer on Duty, Wicked, Anora, and more. Here’s a roundup of the top releases you can stream between March 17 and March 23.

Sky Force

Release Date: March 21
Platform: Amazon Prime Video
Genre: Action, Thriller
Starring Akshay Kumar, Sky Force recreates the historic Indo-Pak 1965 war’s Sargodha airstrike. Based on the bravery of real-life Squadron Leader Ajjamada Boppayya Devayya, the film features intense aerial combat scenes and a powerful narrative centered around duty and sacrifice.

Khakee: The Bengal Chapter

Release Date: March 20
Platform: Netflix
Genre: Crime, Thriller, Drama
Set in the early 2000s in Bengal, this crime series follows a determined officer, Arjun Maitra, as he takes on a brutal crime syndicate ruled by the feared don Shankar Barua. The series highlights the tussle between law enforcement and deep-rooted corruption.

Officer on Duty

Release Date: March 20
Platform: Netflix
Genre: Action, Thriller
This Malayalam thriller focuses on inspector Harishankar, whose temper lands him a demotion. As he investigates a jewelry racket, he uncovers a larger criminal conspiracy. The film blends gritty investigative sequences with edge-of-your-seat action.

Kanneda

Release Date: March 21
Platform: JioHotstar
Genre: Crime, Drama
Nimma, a Punjabi immigrant in Canada, faces identity struggles and discrimination. Set against the backdrop of post-1984 migration, Kanneda explores his descent into Toronto’s underworld, highlighting the harsh choices faced by many immigrants.

Wicked

Release Date: March 22
Platform: JioHotstar
Genre: Fantasy, Musical, Drama
A magical retelling from the land of Oz, Wicked tells the story of Elphaba and Glinda—two women who start as unlikely friends and face tests of loyalty, power, and perception. Featuring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, it’s a visually rich musical drama.

Anora

Release Date: March 17
Platform: JioHotstar
Genre: Comedy, Drama
An Oscar-winning tale of a Brooklyn escort, Anora follows her whirlwind marriage to a Russian oligarch’s son and the resulting clash with his elite family. With sharp writing and emotional depth, it offers a satirical take on love and privilege.

Dragon

Release Date: March 23
Platform: Netflix
Genre: Coming-of-Age, Rom-Com, Drama
Dragon tracks the downfall and redemption of Ragavan, once a brilliant student who loses his way after heartbreak. A campus nickname, 48 backlogs, and a spiral of lies lead him to a breaking point in this emotionally layered coming-of-age drama.

Other OTT releases this week

Prithviraj Sukumaran’s highly-anticipated directorial L2: Empuraan, starring Malayalam cinema icon Mohanlal, has shattered a significant record in Indian film ticket sales. According to the makers, the film clocked a staggering 96,140 tickets per hour on BookMyShow during its pre-sale phase, making it the highest hourly pre-sales ever for an Indian film on the platform.

The announcement, made by the team via social media, read: “Another. Record. Shattered. The highest hourly pre-sales ever in Indian cinema on BookMyShow. 96.14k/hr.”

Star-studded ensemble and returning characters

A sequel to the 2019 blockbuster Lucifer, L2: Empuraan continues the gripping political action narrative with Mohanlal reprising his dual role as Khureshi Ab’raam, also known as Stephen Nedumpally. Prithviraj Sukumaran returns not only as director but also as actor, playing Zayed Masood, Khureshi’s close aide.

The ensemble cast includes familiar and fresh faces such as Tovino Thomas, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Manju Warrier, Indrajith Sukumaran, Jerome Flynn, Nikhat Khan (sister of Aamir Khan), Kaarthikeyaa Dev, Kishore Kumar G, Sukant Goel, and British actress Andrea Tivadar.

Technical team and release details

The film’s screenplay is penned by Murali Gopy, while the visuals are crafted by cinematographer Sujith Vaassudev. Editing is handled by Akhilesh Mohan, with the musical score composed by Deepak Dev. The filming concluded in December 2024.

L2: Empuraan is scheduled to hit theatres worldwide on March 27, 2025. The film marks the third directorial outing for Prithviraj Sukumaran, following Lucifer and Bro Daddy—his previous collaboration with Mohanlal.