Why Sikandar Failed at the Box Office: Murugadoss Cites Salman Khan’s Timings

Introduction

Bollywood fans were buzzing when director A.R. Murugadoss opened up about the behind-the-scenes struggles of making Sikandar with superstar Salman Khan. His candid revelation — “He turned up only by 8 PM” — instantly became a headline, highlighting the unique challenges of working with one of India’s biggest stars.

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Who is A.R. Murugadoss?

Murugadoss is one of India’s most celebrated filmmakers, best known for Ghajini, Thuppakki, and Kaththi. Known for his high-octane action dramas and emotional storytelling, he stepped into Bollywood again with Sikandar, hoping to recreate his magic with Salman Khan in the lead role.

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About the Film Sikandar

• Lead Actors: Salman Khan and Rashmika Mandanna
• Director: A.R. Murugadoss
• Budget: Around ₹200 crore
• Expectations: A mass entertainer aimed at breaking box office records

But despite the hype, Sikandar underperformed, leaving many fans and critics questioning what went wrong.

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The Remark That Sparked Headlines

In an interview, Murugadoss revealed that shooting with Salman Khan was not easy. He explained:

“We have to shoot at night as he turns up only by 8 PM.”

This meant that even daytime scenes had to be filmed at night, causing chaos in scheduling.

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Night Shoots for Day Scenes

Imagine trying to film a sunny afternoon scene at 2 AM. That’s what the Sikandar crew had to deal with. Artificial lights were used to mimic daylight, but the strain on cast and crew was undeniable.

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Impact on Child Actors

Murugadoss pointed out how child actors struggled the most. For example, school-return scenes had to be filmed deep into the night.

“If there were four kids in a scene, we had to shoot with them at 2 AM. By then, they were tired and dozed off.”

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Security Challenges

Adding to the stress were security issues. Salman Khan was under serious death threats, which meant extra checks for every extra and crew member.

• Security checks often consumed 2–3 hours daily.
• Schedules got pushed further into the night.

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Disrupted Biological Cycles

The crew’s sleep cycles collapsed. Shooting past midnight became routine, affecting health and efficiency. Murugadoss admitted that their “biological cycle went for a toss.”

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Murugadoss’s Take on Salman Khan

Interestingly, Murugadoss was careful to balance his words. He admitted that Salman was efficient once he arrived, but the late timings created unavoidable hurdles.

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Reactions in the Film Industry

Industry insiders weren’t shocked. Salman has long been known for his late arrivals. For big stars, crews often adjust to their personal routines — but the toll is massive on everyone else.

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The Bigger Challenge: Sikandar’s Reception

Despite the massive buzz, Sikandar failed at the box office. Critics felt the film lacked emotional connect, while fans expected more punch from the Salman–Murugadoss combo.

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Murugadoss on Language & Cultural Gaps

Post-release, Murugadoss admitted he felt handicapped outside his mother tongue. He explained that his best creativity comes when he works in Tamil, and this affected Sikandar’s depth.

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Behind-the-Scenes Realities of Bollywood

This story highlights a bigger truth: Bollywood often bends schedules for its superstars. While stars enjoy flexibility, crews — especially child actors — pay the price.

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What Audiences Can Learn

Behind every big-budget film lies countless unseen struggles. Shooting isn’t just glamour — it’s late nights, disrupted routines, and intense stress. Murugadoss’s honesty gives fans a rare peek into this hidden side.

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Conclusion

A.R. Murugadoss’s confession about Salman Khan arriving late and the chaos it caused reveals the tough realities of filmmaking. From child actors working at midnight to security delays, Sikandar was as challenging off-screen as it was on. Ultimately, the film’s struggles remind us that stardom doesn’t always guarantee success — it takes timing, storytelling, and teamwork.

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FAQs

1. What did A.R. Murugadoss say about Salman Khan in Sikandar? He revealed that Salman usually arrived on set only around 8 PM, forcing night shoots.2. How did late timings affect the crew? It disrupted schedules, biological cycles, and caused fatigue among actors, especially children.3. Were security concerns also a factor? Yes, due to threats against Salman Khan, heavy security checks delayed shooting further.4. Why did Sikandar fail at the box office? Critics cited weak emotional connect and storytelling issues, despite high expectations.5. What lesson does this reveal about Bollywood? That behind-the-scenes challenges can shape a film’s fate as much as star power.