Salman’s ‘Sikandar’ Fails To Brings Eid Cheer To Theatres, Collects Rs 54 Cr On Day One
The film, which opened in theatres on March 30, was touted as the 60-year-old actor’s chance to reclaim his box office dominance after the failure of 'Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan' in 2023.
The opening day collections of Salman Khan’s much-anticipated Eid release, Sikandar, have been disappointing, earning just Rs 54 crore worldwide on its first day, a figure that pales compared to the standards set by recent Bollywood blockbusters.
The film, which opened in theatres on March 30, was touted as the 60-year-old actor’s chance to reclaim his box office dominance on his favourite festive occasion of Eid, especially after the failure of Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan in 2023.
But Sikandar collected only ₹26 crore domestically, trailing behind Vicky Kaushal's Chhaava, which earned ₹31 crore on its first day. Despite Salman's star power boosting the film’s overseas performance, it couldn’t close the gap with Mohanlal's Malayalam thriller ‘L2: Empuraan’. Negative reviews and poor word of mouth further hampered the film’s evening footfall, raising doubts about its future prospects.
In comparison, Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan had grossed over Rs 109 crore on its opening day in September 2023—more than double of Sikandar's debut earnings. Even ‘Empuraan’, released just four days earlier, grossed Rs 67 crore worldwide, securing the biggest opening for an Indian film this year.
Adding to the film’s woes, ‘Sikandar’ was leaked online by pirates just hours before its release, with around 600 websites hosting the illegal copies. Trade analyst Komal Nahta noted that the leak could significantly impact the film’s box office run.
With Monday marking the Eid holiday, the film's performance on its second day will be crucial in determining whether Sikandar can make a recovery. For now, Salman's comeback remains uncertain, as the film struggles to meet the high expectations of his Eid releases.
