Salman Khan out of Maine Pyar Kiya sequel, is Sikandar debacle to be blamed?

Salman Khan, once the undebated king at the Box Office, has been struggling to get his movies to work in the post-pandemic era. His most recent movie Sikandar is the latest example of how his stardom has taken a hit. But is that a reason why filmmakers, including Sooraj Barjatya, would not want to cast the actor in sequels of his own movies, too? Sooraj Barjatya made it very clear that if there ever is a sequel to Maine Pyar Kiya, Salman Khan would not be cast in it. Here's why...

Is Sikandar debacle the reason why Sooraj Barjatya doesn't want to cast Salman Khan in Maine Pyar Kiya sequel?

"I would not want to make a sequel with them, and even if I were offered to make a sequel to Maine Pyar Kiya, it would have a fresh cast," Sooraj Barjatya told Times of India when asked about Maine Pyar Kiya sequel. The filmmaker did not mention the Sikandar debacle or that Radhe actor Salman Khan would be replaced in particular. He would want to make the movie with a fresh cast altogether. As for working again with both Salman Khan and Madhuri Dixit, the filmmaker is very much open to the idea provided he finds a script worthy of it. "After reaching a certain age, you trust a good film more than a star," Barjatya said.

Sooraj Barjatya's definition of good films and what's lacking in Bollywood today

Sooraj Barjatya believes that Bollywood needs to go back to its roots and find simplicity, where dreams existed. "It is important to keep the Prince Charming alive in our films," he said, adding that despite the modern world's dating trend, everybody desires a long-lasting romance at heart.

Sikandar debacle

Salman Khan has been facing trouble at the Box Office with his movie, Sikandar. Even though the movie has recovered losses through digital rights, Sikandar was expected to mint Rs. 200 crore at the Box Office. Unfortunately, owing to the change in marketing strategy (Sunday release closer to Eid) and movie leak, Sikandar has barely been able to movie past Rs. 100 crore mark. The movie is currently earning in lakhs and might go off-screens soon. This comes as a big setback for the superstar who has already been struggling to earn over-and-above his film's budget at the Box Office in the post-COVID era. Right from Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai to Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan and even Tiger 3, Salman's movies have not been able to hit the superhit status, let alone be called a blockbuster (except Pathaan, which also only saw him in a cameo appearance).