Salman Khan Faces Fresh Death Threat Amid Mixed Reviews for ‘Sikandar’

Salman Khan Faces Fresh Death Threat Amid Mixed Reviews for ‘Sikandar’

RMN News Story Highlights:

Bollywood actor Salman Khan received a fresh death threat via a WhatsApp message to the Mumbai Police traffic department, leading to the registration of a case. 

The police traced the threat to a 25-year-old man in Gujarat who claimed to be mentally unstable and inspired by news of Lawrence Bishnoi’s threats. 

Salman Khan’s recently released film, ‘Sikandar’ (2025), directed by A.R. Murugadoss, has garnered mixed reviews from critics and audiences. 

The mixed reception of ‘Sikandar’ underscores broader concerns within Bollywood regarding paid reviews and manipulated publicity, raising questions about industry credibility and box office authenticity.

Bollywood actor Salman Khan has been embroiled in a concerning turn of events, facing a new death threat just weeks after his latest film, ‘Sikandar’ (2025), hit theatres to mixed reviews.

The Mumbai Police have registered a case following a WhatsApp message received by the traffic department, threatening the actor’s life. This incident underscores the ongoing security concerns surrounding Khan, who has previously been on the radar of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.

The alarming message was sent around 6:30 am on a Sunday to the Mumbai Police’s traffic department in Worli. The sender threatened to enter Salman Khan’s residence and kill him. Furthermore, the message chillingly indicated a plan to plant a bomb in the actor’s vehicle and detonate it.

Promptly responding to the threat, the Worli police initiated an investigation, tracing the call data records of the number that sent the message. Their efforts led them to Vadodara in Gujarat, where a 25-year-old man was identified as the suspect.

According to police reports, the individual, named Mayank Pandya, was apprehended, and his family has claimed that he is mentally unstable. While the police are currently verifying these claims, an officer stated that a notice has been served as per legal provisions.

Further investigation revealed that Pandya claimed to be part of a WhatsApp group where news regarding Lawrence Bishnoi threatening Salman Khan was shared. Police believe that seeing this news inspired him to issue the threat. They confirmed that he obtained the Mumbai Police traffic department’s helpline number to send the menacing message.

This is not the first time Salman Khan has been targeted with death threats. He has been on gangster Lawrence Bishnoi’s hit list in connection with the 1998 blackbuck poaching case and has received multiple threats both directly and indirectly in recent months. 

The gravity of the situation escalated last year when a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang opened fire outside Khan’s Bandra residence, with Lawrence’s brother Anmol Bishnoi claiming responsibility for the attack. 

Lawrence Bishnoi is currently incarcerated in a Gujarat prison. Following the shooting incident, the Mumbai Police arrested over a dozen members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and invoked the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against them.

In a separate incident in November of the previous year, a man from Rajasthan was arrested in Karnataka for contacting the Mumbai traffic control helpline, impersonating Lawrence Bishnoi’s brother. This individual allegedly offered the actor two options to ensure his safety: either apologise at a temple or pay a substantial sum of ₹5 crore.

Salman Khan in Bollywood Film Sikandar

Against this backdrop of security concerns, Salman Khan’s latest cinematic venture, Sikandar’ (2025), released on March 28, 2025, coinciding with Eid al-Fitr. Directed by A.R. Murugadoss and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, the film boasts a significant budget of approximately ₹200 crore. The star-studded cast includes Rashmika Mandanna, Kajal Aggarwal, Sathyaraj, and Sharman Joshi.

The narrative of ‘Sikandar’ reportedly centres on Sanjay Rajkot, also known as Sikandar, in Gujarat. The plot explores themes of personal loss, societal challenges, and redemption following a series of tragic events in Sanjay’s life, where he is married to Saisri, a painter. The film is rumoured to be a remake of the 2018 Tamil film ‘Sarkar’, which involved political corruption and electoral reform.

[ Video: सलमान खान की बॉलीवुड फिल्म सिकंदर फ्लॉप रही। पेड रिव्यू और झूठे बॉक्स ऑफिस आंकड़ों पर भरोसा न करें ]

While ‘Sikandar’ was anticipated to be a major box office success, it has garnered mixed reviews from both critics and audiences. Some have praised the film’s action sequences and emotional depth, while others have labelled it a “disaster” and a “cringe fest,” citing outdated storytelling techniques.

Salman Khan’s performance in a dual role has also been met with varied reactions, with some fans complaining about the actor’s perceived declining appeal due to his age. 

Additionally, the portrayal of female characters in Bollywood films has come under scrutiny, with Rashmika Mandanna’s role as Saisri cited as an example of the limited relevance often afforded to female actors.

Despite the mixed critical reception, ‘Sikandar’ has reportedly shown impressive box office numbers in some reviews. However, concerns have been raised about the authenticity of these figures, with reports suggesting a prevalent practice of Bollywood filmmakers inflating box office revenues and engaging in manipulated publicity through paid reviews. This lack of transparency has contributed to a broader credibility crisis within the Bollywood film industry.

The polarized reception of ‘Sikandar’, coupled with the fresh death threat against Salman Khan, paints a complex picture. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the security challenges faced by the actor, while the film’s reception highlights the evolving expectations and scrutiny within the Bollywood landscape. 

As audiences become increasingly discerning, the demand for genuine storytelling and ethical practices within the film industry continues to grow. The confluence of these events underscores a critical juncture for both Salman Khan and the wider Bollywood fraternity.