Salman Khan’s much-anticipated action film Sikandar, directed by A.R. Murugadoss, hit theaters on Sunday, aiming to make a mark at the box office. With the added advantage of an Eid release, expectations were high for the movie to dominate ticket sales. However, despite the festive push, Sikandar has not lived up to the massive numbers usually associated with Salman’s Eid releases.
Box Office Collection Report
According to industry tracker Sacnilk, Sikandar collected Rs 29 crore on its second day, taking its total domestic earnings to Rs 55 crore. While this is a decent figure, it falls short of the anticipated boom typically seen during Eid. The film recorded a 24.60% occupancy rate in Hindi screenings, with peak attendance during evening and night shows.
Meanwhile, production house Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment reported that Sikandar grossed over Rs 50 crore worldwide on its opening day. The film’s global tally included Rs 35.47 crore from Indian markets and Rs 19.25 crore from international territories, leading to a total gross box office collection (GBOC) of Rs 54.72 crore on Day 1.
Despite these numbers, Sikandar has yet to show the kind of momentum that typically sustains a blockbuster, raising concerns about its long-term success.
Comparison with Previous Salman Khan Films
Historically, Salman Khan’s Eid releases have dominated the box office. However, Sikandar appears to be an exception. His 2023 Eid release, Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, opened at Rs 15.81 crore but witnessed a strong 62.87% jump on Day 2, collecting Rs 25.75 crore. In contrast, Sikandar, despite a stronger opening, failed to sustain similar growth on its second day.
Comparing it to Tiger 3, Salman’s last theatrical release, further highlights the struggle. Tiger 3 debuted with Rs 44.5 crore on Diwali and surged to Rs 59.25 crore on its second day, demonstrating the kind of boost Sikandar is currently lacking.
This lackluster growth raises questions about audience interest, suggesting that Sikandar may not hold the same appeal as Salman’s past blockbusters.
Tough Competition from L2: Empuraan
Adding to Sikandar’s struggles is the stiff competition from L2: Empuraan, starring Malayalam superstar Mohanlal. The film has generated massive buzz, particularly in South India, drawing a significant portion of the audience away from Sikandar.
With regional films gaining nationwide popularity due to strong storytelling and high production value, Bollywood films now face a tougher challenge to dominate the box office. Sikandar is no exception, as L2: Empuraan continues to attract audiences, impacting its collections.
Audience Response and Reviews
Despite its star power and high-octane action sequences, Sikandar has received mixed to negative reviews from critics and audiences alike.
India Today rated the film 2 stars, stating, “Sikandar is exhausting and a bit dated. While Murugadoss knows how to set up a superstar-driven spectacle, the film suffers due to weak execution and writing.”
Many critics have pointed out that while Salman delivers his trademark performance, the film lacks an engaging narrative and fails to bring anything fresh to the table.
Social media reactions also reflect disappointment, with many fans expressing that they expected a more gripping storyline rather than a formulaic action drama. Negative word-of-mouth could further impact the film’s weekday collections.
What Lies Ahead for Sikandar?
While the Eid holiday provided Sikandar with an initial push, its real test begins now. The coming weekdays will determine if the film can sustain its run or if collections will witness a sharp decline.
- Weekday Collections: Films with strong content tend to hold steady post-opening weekend. If Sikandar sees a drastic dip in numbers on Tuesday and Wednesday, it may struggle to recover in the long run.
- Word of Mouth: The audience’s verdict is crucial. If negative reviews continue to spread, footfalls in theaters may drop further.
- Upcoming Releases: The box office competition will only increase with new films releasing every week. If Sikandar fails to maintain consistency, it could soon be overshadowed.
Conclusion
Sikandar started with decent numbers but has not capitalized on the Eid advantage as expected. With competition from L2: Empuraan and lukewarm reviews, the film’s future at the box office remains uncertain.
Whether Sikandar will see a turnaround in the coming days or continue its downward trend depends on audience interest and sustained engagement. As of now, it ranks as one of Salman Khan’s weaker Eid releases, marking a challenging phase for the Bollywood superstar.
