Sikandar: Salman Khan hits back at trolls over the 31-year age gap with Rashmika Mandanna

On Sunday, the trailer for Sikandar, starring Salman Khan, was released. The age difference between the film’s main actors, Salman (59) and Rashmika Mandanna (28), has generated discussion  across the internet. Salman has now retaliated against his trolls by stating that If Rashmika doesn’t mind, then why do others?

Salman, Rashmika, and the rest of the film’s crew attended the trailer unveiling ceremony in Mumbai on Sunday. Salman brought up the subject of people making fun of him for collaborating with a young actor and the 31-year age difference between him and Rashmika during a discussion on stage.

Salman quipped when lauded by an interviewer, “Beech mein aisa gadbad ho jaata hai ki 6-7 raat soye nahin, fir vo social media vaale peeche padd jaate hain, unko dikhaana padta hai ki abhi bhi hai (At times, things get so messed up that I don’t sleep for six to seven nights. Then, those social media people start chasing me, so I have to show them that I’m still here).”

He added, “Phir woh bolte hain 31 years ka difference hai heroine aur mujh mein, arrey 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 (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).”

On Eid 2025, AR Murugadoss’ Sikandar will be released in theaters. It also stars Kajal Aggarwal and is produced by Sajid Nadiadwala’s venture, Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment.