Ahmed Khan Reflects on His Collaboration with Salman for 'Sikandar': A Delightful Experience

Synopsis

Ahmed Khan reunited with Salman Khan for the film 'Sikandar' after 11 years. Their collaboration on the title track 'Sikandar Naache' marks Ahmed's return to choreography. The song, filmed with 500 dancers, features innovative dance styles, including Dabke, and aims to surpass their previous hit 'Jumme Ki Raat'.

Key Takeaways

Collaboration after 11 years
Return to choreography
Incorporation of Dabke dance style
Featuring 500 dancers
Aiming for success of 'Jumme Ki Raat'

Mumbai, March 22 (NationPress) Choreographer and filmmaker Ahmed Khan has teamed up with superstar Salman Khan for the film 'Sikandar' after a lengthy hiatus of 11 years. The duo had previously collaborated on the popular track 'Jumme Ki Raat' from the 2014 movie 'Kick'.

Ahmed, who has been focused on his directorial venture 'Welcome to the Jungle', returned to choreography for the title track 'Sikandar Naache'. This lively song, featuring Salman and Rashmika Mandanna, was unveiled to the public on March 18, 2025. 'Sikandar Naache' signifies Ahmed's comeback to choreography after an eight-year break.

Expressing his enthusiasm for working with Salman and Sajid Nadiadwala, Ahmed stated, 'I'd do anything for them'.

He elaborated, 'We eagerly await a Salman track because of the swag. He introduces moves that even a grandfather can execute, and occasionally he performs moves that even the youth struggle with. Regardless of what I create with him, it has always been a pleasure; having such an attractive man in front of the camera makes half the work easier. When you present him with a step, he may not replicate it as intended, but he does it in his unique style, and ultimately, you see your vision come to life.'

Ahmed revealed that while crafting 'Sikandar Naache', they aimed to exceed the success of 'Jumme Ki Raat' or at the very least, reach that benchmark.

He further mentioned that producer Nadiadwala proposed integrating the Levantine folk dance known as Dabke into the number. Excited about this suggestion, Ahmed choreographed the piece, which was filmed with approximately 500 dancers on a vast set in a Mumbai studio last month.

'Sajid suggested including the Dabke dance style. This has never been featured in Hindi films before. He made considerable efforts to bring Lebanese dancers from Turkey who could perform Dabke. I was thrilled that we incorporated this element. Salman has genuinely invested his heart into this song,' Ahmed shared.

For those unaware, Dabke is a traditional dance that fuses elements of circle and line dancing, popular in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Palestine, often performed during weddings and festive celebrations.