Salman Khan is one of the biggest superstars in Indian cinema, and his films have consistently set the cash registers ringing at the box office. Known as the ‘King of Eid Releases,’ Salman has delivered some of Bollywood’s highest-grossing opening day collections. His stardom guarantees packed theaters, especially during festive seasons. In this article, we take a look at Salman Khan’s biggest box office openers and analyze their impact.
Salman Khan’s Biggest Opening Day Collections
Tiger 3 (2023) – ₹44.50 crore
The third film in the Tiger franchise, Tiger 3, continued the action-packed story of RAW agent Tiger, played by Salman. Released on Diwali, it delivered the biggest opening for the Tiger series and was a high-octane spectacle filled with espionage, action, and thrilling stunts.
Bharat (2019) – ₹42.30 crore
One of Salman’s biggest releases, Bharat, was a patriotic drama directed by Ali Abbas Zafar. The film saw Salman Khan portraying multiple phases of his character’s life, spanning from India’s independence to the modern era. It was released on Eid, helping it register the highest opening of his career.
Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015) – ₹40.35 crore
A grand family drama directed by Sooraj Barjatya, Prem Ratan Dhan Payo was Salman’s return to the classic ‘Prem’ character after years. The film was packed with opulent sets, elaborate song sequences, and a double role for Salman. Released during Diwali, it attracted family audiences, boosting its day-one collections.
Sultan (2016) – ₹36.54 crore
A sports drama where Salman played a wrestler, Sultan was an emotional and action-packed film. Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, it followed the journey of an aging wrestler seeking redemption. Released on Eid, the film gained massive traction due to Salman’s physical transformation and intense performance.
Tiger Zinda Hai (2017) – ₹34.10 crore
A high-octane action thriller and sequel to Ek Tha Tiger, this film saw Salman reprising his role as RAW agent Tiger. Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, the film was packed with thrilling action sequences and stunning visuals. Released during Christmas, it had strong holiday footfalls, making it one of Salman’s highest openers.
Ek Tha Tiger (2012) – ₹32.93 crore
The first installment in the Tiger franchise, Ek Tha Tiger, was a spy thriller directed by Kabir Khan. The film introduced Salman as a secret agent who falls in love with a Pakistani spy, played by Katrina Kaif. It was released on Independence Day, helping it achieve a massive opening.
Sikandar (2025) – ₹30.06 crore
Salman Khan’s latest Eid release, Sikandar, recorded an average opening compared to his other big releases. The film has opened to mixed reviews. Most of the reviewers have criticized the outdated screenplay, direction, and other aspects of the film.
Race 3 (2018) – ₹28.50 crore
A multi-starrer action-packed thriller, Race 3 featured Salman in a larger-than-life role. While the film received mixed reviews, its pre-release hype, Eid holiday release, and Salman’s stardom contributed to its strong opening day numbers.
Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015) – ₹27.25 crore
One of Salman’s most loved films, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, was an emotional drama directed by Kabir Khan. The film told the touching story of a man helping a lost, mute Pakistani girl reunite with her family. Released on Eid, it struck an emotional chord with audiences and saw a strong opening.
Kick (2014) – ₹26.40 crore
An action-comedy film where Salman played a thrill-seeker, Kick was directed by Sajid Nadiadwala. The film featured high-energy stunts and a gripping story, making it a massive crowd-puller on its Eid release.
Dabangg 3 (2019) – ₹24.50 crore
The third installment of the popular Dabangg franchise, Dabangg 3 explored the backstory of Chulbul Pandey, Salman’s iconic cop character. While it had decent numbers on day one, mixed reviews affected its overall performance.
Bodyguard (2011) – ₹21.60 crore
A massive Eid release, Bodyguard was an action-packed romantic drama directed by Siddique. The film featured Salman in the role of a loyal bodyguard assigned to protect Kareena Kapoor’s character. With its combination of action, comedy, and a love story, the film drew huge crowds and marked one of Salman’s earlier record-breaking openings.
Tubelight (2017) – ₹21.15 crore
A war drama inspired by Little Boy, Tubelight, had Salman playing a simple-minded man searching for his lost brother during the Indo-China war. Released on Eid, the film didn’t meet audience expectations, leading to a lower-than-expected opening.
Here’s a table summarizing Salman Khan’s biggest box office openers along with their opening day collections:
| Movie | Year | Opening Day Collection (₹ Crore) | Release Occasion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tiger 3 | 2023 | 44.50 | Diwali |
| Bharat | 2019 | 42.30 | Eid |
| Prem Ratan Dhan Payo | 2015 | 40.35 | Diwali |
| Sultan | 2016 | 36.54 | Eid |
| Tiger Zinda Hai | 2017 | 34.10 | Christmas |
| Ek Tha Tiger | 2012 | 32.93 | Independence Day |
| Sikandar | 2025 | 30.06 | Eid |
| Race 3 | 2018 | 29.17 | Eid |
| Bajrangi Bhaijaan | 2015 | 27.25 | Eid |
| Kick | 2014 | 26.40 | Eid |
| Dabangg 3 | 2019 | 24.50 | Christmas |
| Bodyguard | 2011 | 21.60 | Eid |
| Tubelight | 2017 | 21.15 | Eid |
This table gives a clear view of Salman Khan’s biggest openers, highlighting how Eid and other festive occasions have played a key role in his box office dominance.
Salman Khan’s recent films have seen a mix of successes and underwhelming performances. While Tiger 3 managed to deliver a strong opening, his previous releases, like Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan and Radhe, struggled to create the same box office magic. His latest release, Sikandar, hasn’t failed to make much impact. Given his track record, he remains one of Bollywood’s most bankable stars, and his upcoming films will determine if he can break his records again.
