Salman Khan Addresses 31-Year Age Gap with Rashmika Mandanna in ‘Sikandar’

Everybody was waiting to see how Salman will react against the trolls criticizing his 31-year age gap with Rashmika Mandanna, and he has done just that. Directed by AR Murugadoss and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, Salman Khan's upcoming action-thriller Sikandar is set for an Eid 2025 release. The trolls and internet users have created a furor against this age gap since the time of announcement, and Salman Khan has chosen to finally answer once again in his own unique style.

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Salman's Response to Trolls

During the grand trailer launch in Mumbai, while addressing the media, Khan was asked if the trolls bothered him regarding his pair with Rashmika Mandanna. The actor had a funny take on it and was completely casual about the whole thing. Salman said that if the actress and her family had no issues, then it was really no one else's business.

"Phir woh bolte hain 31 years ka difference hai heroine aur mujh mein. Arey jab heroine ko problem nahi hai, heroine ke papa ko dikkat nahi hai, tumko kyun dikkat hai bhai? Inki shaadi hogi, bachchi hongi, toh unke sath bhi kaam karenge. Mummy ki permission toh mil hi jayega," Salman remarked, drawing laughter from Rashmika and the audience.

(Translation: "Then they say there’s a 31-year age gap between me and the heroine. But if the heroine has no problem, and even her father has no issue, why do you have a problem, brother? When she gets married and has a daughter, I will work with her daughter too. Her mother’s permission will be sorted.")

Rashmika’s Dedication Praised

Besides addressing the controversy, Salman praised Rashmika Mandanna for being dedicated to work. He further revealed that with her tight schedule, she managed to shoot for Sikandar along with Pushpa 2.

"She gave her best. The dedication with which she works reminds me of my childhood," Salman said, lauding her commitment. He further revealed, "She would finish shooting for Pushpa 2 at 7 pm and then shoot with us from 9 pm to 6:30 am. Even after breaking her leg, she continued shooting and did not cancel the shoot even for a single day."

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The trailer of Sikandar was released at the event, showing Salman Khan going all out in an action-packed avatar. The film is said to follow his character trying to expose and take down a crime racket in Mumbai. Alongside Salman and Rashmika, the film also stars Kajal Aggarwal, Sathyraj, Prateik Babbar, and Anjini Dhawan in important roles.

His fans have already gone on record expressing their excitement, with many calling it a sure-shot blockbuster. The actor's trend of releasing big films around Eid with blockbuster status, including Wanted in 2009, Bajrangi Bhaijaan in 2015, and Sultan in 2016, has only raised the stakes.

Sikandar will be released in theaters on March 30, 2025, on Eid. The makers have also struck an OTT deal with Netflix for Rs 85 crore for the film, confirming a digital release post its theatrical run.

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