"Even Youngsters Can't Match His Moves": Ahmed Khan On Working With Salman Khan on Sikander, 11 Years After Jumme Ki Raat

Choreographer Ahmed Khan, who has been deeply involved in his directorial project Welcome to the Jungle, recently returned to choreography for the title track of Sikandar, produced by Sajid Nadiadwala. The song, Sikandar Naache, featuring Salman Khan and Rashmika Mandanna, was released online on March 18, 2025, marking Ahmed's first choreography in eight years. He expressed his willingness to work with Salman and Sajid Nadiadwala 

Ahmed Khan on his collaboration with the powerful actor producer duo said,"I'd do anything for them," emphasising his long-standing collaboration with the superstar-producer duo. Ahmed Khan explained, "We wait for a Salman track because of the swag. He comes up with moves that even a grandfather can do, and sometimes he pulls off moves that even youngsters can't match up. But whatever I've done with him, it has been a pleasure; when you have such a good-looking man in front of the camera, half the job is done. When you show him [a step], sometimes he doesn't do it exactly how you want, but he does it in his own style and eventually you see your creation take shape."

Ahmed's last successful collaboration with Salman was the song Jumme Ki Raat from Kick (2014). With Sikandar Naache, their goal was to surpass that success. "Or at least try to reach that level," Ahmed remarks. It was at this point that Nadiadwala suggested incorporating the Levantine folk dance known as Dabke into the track. Enthusiastic about this idea, Ahmed designed the number, which was filmed with around 500 dancers on an expansive set in a Mumbai studio last month. He adds, "Sajid suggested adding the Dabke dance style. This has never been done in Hindi films before. He went out of his way to bring Lebanese dancers from Turkey who could perform Dabke. I loved that we made this addition. Salman has truly poured his heart into this song."

Dabke is a traditional dance that combines elements of circle and line dancing and is popular in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Palestine, often performed at weddings and other celebratory occasions. On the work front Ahmed Khan is set to kickstart the last marathon schedule of the much anticipated Welcome to the Jungle.