- Salman Khan’s much-hyped Eid film Sikandar has suffered a dramatic fall, earning only ₹14 lakh on its 19th day, with total Indian collections struggling to surpass ₹110 crore.
- Despite a strong opening, the film’s momentum evaporated quickly due to negative reviews, stiff competition, and a lackluster script.
- Sikandar now stands as one of Salman’s weakest performers, especially when compared to recent blockbusters like Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava.
A Disappointing Turn for Salman Khan’s Sikandar
Salman Khan’s anticipated return to the big screen with Sikandar—released on March 30, 2025, to coincide with Eid—has failed to capture the box office magic typically associated with his festive releases. Despite a promising start, the film’s commercial performance has sharply declined, raising concerns about its overall impact and legacy.
Opening Buzz and Early Performance
Sikandar* debuted with a respectable ₹26 crore on its first day, but this figure fell short of both industry expectations and the standards set by Salman’s previous Eid blockbusters. For comparison, his earlier films like Sultan and Tiger 3 had much higher opening day numbers, and even Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava outperformed Sikandar with a ₹31 crore opening.
The film’s initial week saw it accumulate around ₹90 crore, but this momentum did not last. By the end of the second week, collections had dropped to just ₹17 crore, and the movie struggled to cross the ₹110 crore mark in India.
Rapid Decline and Reasons Behind the Crash
By its 19th day, Sikandar was earning a mere ₹14 lakh, signaling a near-total collapse in audience interest. The film’s second Sunday brought in just over ₹50 lakh, and daily earnings continued to dwindle thereafter.
Several factors contributed to this downfall:
Weak Script and Direction: Critics described the narrative as uninspired and the direction as below average, with rushed scenes and little emotional depth.
Stiff Competition: The release of Sunny Deol’s Jaat and the earlier success of Chhaava siphoned away potential viewers, making it difficult for Sikandar to regain traction.
Mixed Reviews: Both critics and audiences offered lukewarm responses, citing lackluster storytelling and performances, particularly noting that Rashmika Mandanna’s role failed to leave an impression.
Comparison with Recent Hits
| Film | Opening Day (India) | Total India (approx.) | Reception |
| Sikandar | ₹26 crore | ₹109 crore | Mixed/Negative |
| Chhaava | ₹31 crore | ₹600 crore+ | Blockbuster |
| Tiger 3 | ₹53.3 crore | Higher than Sikandar | Hit |
While Sikandar crossed ₹250 crore globally, its domestic performance remains underwhelming, especially when contrasted with the runaway success of Chhaava, which has already crossed ₹600 crore in India.
Industry Impact and Looking Ahead
Sikandar*’s underperformance is notable given its ₹200 crore budget and the star power of Salman Khan. The film’s inability to sustain audience interest, despite a holiday release, signals a need for stronger scripts and fresh storytelling in future projects. For Salman, this marks another setback after the lukewarm reception of Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan in 2023.
In summary, Sikandar’s box office journey serves as a cautionary tale about the limits of star power amid changing audience expectations and fierce competition. Without compelling content, even the biggest names can struggle to make an impact at the box office.
