Salman Khan’s much-awaited film Sikandar finally hit the big screens, and while the expectations were sky-high, the first-day numbers have turned out to be decent but not extraordinary. The film collected ₹30.06 crore on its opening day, marking an average start for a Salman Khan Eid release.
The film saw good traction in single-screen theaters and mass circuits, but multiplexes remained on the lower side. While Salman’s stardom ensured a strong buzz, the pre-release hype wasn’t as electric as some of his previous blockbusters. This is reflected in the opening numbers, which are significantly lower than his past Eid releases like Bharat and Sultan.
How Does Sikandar Compare to Salman’s Past Eid Openings?
Historically, Salman Khan’s Eid releases have set the box office on fire. Here’s how Sikandar stacks up against some of his biggest openings in recent years:
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Bharat (2019) – ₹42.30 crore
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Sultan (2016) – ₹36.54 crore
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Race 3 (2018) – ₹29.17 crore
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Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015) – ₹27.25 crore
While Sikandar has opened slightly better than Race 3 and Bajrangi Bhaijaan, it’s nowhere near the record-breaking numbers of Bharat or Sultan. Given Salman’s strong Eid track record, the industry was expecting an opening closer to ₹40-45 crore.
Why the Underwhelming Start?
A few factors could have contributed to Sikandar’s moderate opening:
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Lukewarm Pre-Release Buzz – Unlike Tiger 3 or Bharat, the promotional content for Sikandar didn’t create the kind of hype one would expect from a Salman Khan film.
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Limited Appeal in Multiplexes – The film has performed well in single-screen theaters, but urban multiplex audiences haven’t turned up in big numbers.
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Mixed reviews – The film has opened to mixed reviews. Most of the reviewers have criticized the outdated screenplay, direction, and other aspects of the film.
Can Sikandar Pick Up Over the Weekend?
The real test for Sikandar will be its performance over the next few days. The Eid holiday on Monday is expected to boost collections, especially in mass circuits and smaller towns where Salman enjoys a huge fanbase. If the word-of-mouth is strong, Sikandar can still post a healthy extended weekend total.
The Road Ahead
Directed by A.R. Murugadoss and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, Sikandar features a star-studded cast, including Rashmika Mandanna, Kajal Aggarwal, Sathyaraj, Sharman Joshi, and Prateik Babbar. This is Salman’s first big-screen release in 1.5 years, making it a crucial film for his career.
If Sikandar can sustain well in the coming days, it can potentially enter the ₹200 crore club. However, if collections dip after the Eid holiday, it might struggle to match the blockbuster status of Salman’s biggest hits.
