PremiumSikandar leak controversy: Deleted scenes from Salman Khan-starrer found in pirated version
Sikandar leaked online on release day, featuring deleted scenes and an alternate soundtrack. Speculations suggest an inside job or security breach. The leak raises concerns about piracy in Bollywood.
Last Updated: 12.09 PM, Apr 03, 2025
Sikandar getting leaked on piracy websites came as a shocker for the whole industry, as it happened during the wee hours of the day of the release, that is, March 30. The film's premiere coincided with the celebration of Eid 2025 on the same day. The Salman Khan vehicle also did not use it in its final version and to know more about the contents of the pirated version and how this transpired, Bollywood Hungama spoke to various industry sources.
Differences in the pirated version
The entertainment portal quizzed a company insider who had the unfortunate experience of viewing the film in its pirated form. He said some scenes were cut from the film. One can hear the raw background score. Sikandar discovers that Saisri (Rashmika Mandanna) wanted to be a lawyer after meeting her lawyer pals after her death. In one scene set in Dharavi, medical students approach Sikandar and apprise him of the city's pollution problems. The explanation is more detailed and provides a more comprehensive picture compared to other versions. Flashbacks of Kamaruddin show him collapsing to the floor from his lung disease in the same scene.
According to the industry source, there is some information that Sikandar's men are informed about regarding Kamaruddin's health, Vaidehi's (Kajal Aggarwal) departure from her residence, and Nisha's (Anjini Dhawan) continued illness before Minister Pradhan's (Sathyaraj) call during the interval. In addition to Pradhan's threat to murder the transplant recipients, this detail explains why Sikandar should remain in Mumbai instead of going to Rajkot.
Scenes that did not make it to theatrical release
A source close to the matter said that's not all. Vaidehi makes an attempt on her life in one scenario. Sikandar and Nisha are seen in a car scene as well. Not only does the passenger subsequently give the taxi driver a large order, but the driver also informs Sikandar that he handed the vadams to someone else.
An insider in the industry made the following observation: in the pirated print, it's not Iulia Vantur singing Lag Ja Gale. They are still using the song from Woh Kaun Thi (1964), as originally recorded. After getting the censor certificate, the producers willingly cut these extra sequences. However, they are still present in the pirated version. As part of the film's voluntary cut, Sikandar sang Ajeeb Dastaan, which is missing from the pirated version. Therefore, it's probable that the leak happened after the CBFC had already approved the film, and it might have been an inside job.
Speculations on the source of the leak
The VFX company Red Chillies has been the subject of numerous conspiracy theories on social media. Someone from Lawrence Bishnoi's group might be behind it, according to some sources. This distributor advised the entertainment portal that one needs to understand that a film file is encrypted, but they asked that they remain anonymous. The only way to open it is with a KDM. A KDM is far more complicated than a simple password. Even members of the film's crew need permission to access it. Some have speculated that the film might have escaped the Foreign Censor Board's scrutiny, but even in that case, an encrypted file would still be necessary. It's highly unusual for a country's censor board to request a Vimeo file rather than an encrypted version in the event that the screening room is unavailable. However, no one outside of the production team knows for sure if it has occurred with Sikandar.
An expert in post-production disclosed that they only send an encrypted file when converting the film to 4DX. However, neither 4DX nor MX4D have ever released Sikandar.
Lessons from past leak
Has anyone discovered who leaked Udta Punjab or Great Grand Masti? asked a grizzled producing veteran. So, they don't think the person responsible for leaking Sikandar will face consequences. An unknown X page threatened to leak the film's print, which was the surprising part this time. This occurred 48 hours prior to the release. This unprecedented event underscores the need to hold these troublemakers accountable. Furthermore, in the future, filmmakers should be extra cautious not to give pirates an opportunity to upload the leaked print to the internet.