Salman Khan’s latest action-packed film Sikandar Box Office directed by A.R. Murugadoss, hit theaters on Sunday with high expectations. As the country celebrated Eid, the film witnessed a slight boost in collections, but the numbers fell short of expectations. The movie, which opened to a decent start, has become Salman’s weakest Eid release in recent years.
Day 2 Box Office Collection Report
According to industry tracker Sacnilk, Sikandar earned Rs 29 crore on its second day, bringing its total domestic box office earnings to Rs 55 crore. While the festival did provide some momentum, the numbers were lower than anticipated. The film had an overall Hindi occupancy rate of 24.60%, with the highest viewership recorded in evening and night shows.
Meanwhile, the production house, Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment, announced that Sikandar crossed the Rs 50 crore mark globally on its opening day. As per reports, the movie collected Rs 35.47 crore in India and Rs 19.25 crore from international markets, leading to a gross box office collection (GBOC) of Rs 54.72 crore on its first day.
Despite the festive push, Sikandar has struggled to maintain strong momentum, raising concerns about its long-term performance at the box office.
Comparison with Previous Salman Khan Films
Over the years, Salman Khan’s films have performed exceptionally well during the Eid season. However, Sikandar seems to be an exception. His previous Eid release, Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, opened at Rs 15.81 crore and witnessed an impressive 62.87% growth on its second day, collecting Rs 25.75 crore. In comparison, Sikandar’s second-day numbers—despite a better opening—did not display similar growth.
Moreover, Tiger 3, Salman’s last theatrical release before Sikandar, showcased much stronger box office results. The film earned Rs 44.5 crore on its opening day (Diwali) and surged to Rs 59.25 crore on its second day.
These comparisons highlight the fact that Sikandar has underperformed compared to Salman’s recent films, despite being released during a traditionally high-performing festive period.
Competition with L2: Empuraan
One of the major challenges for Sikandar at the box office is the competition it faces from L2: Empuraan, starring Malayalam superstar Mohanlal. The film has received significant attention, particularly in South India, drawing audiences away from Sikandar. The strong fan following of Mohanlal and the anticipation surrounding the film have added pressure on Salman’s latest venture.
The clash with L2: Empuraan has divided the audience, affecting Sikandar’s potential box office performance. With regional cinema gaining a strong foothold in the Indian film industry, Bollywood films now have to compete with South Indian releases that boast high production quality and compelling storytelling.
Audience Response and Reviews
While Sikandar had all the elements of a mass entertainer—action-packed sequences, Salman Khan’s signature style, and high production value—it has not resonated well with critics and audiences alike.
Leading media houses have given the film mixed to negative reviews. India Today rated Sikandar 2 stars, commenting, “Sikandar is exhausting and a bit dated. While Murugadoss knows how to set up a superstar enterprise and mount a subject that caters to his audience, it’s the execution and writing that the film suffers from the most.”
Several critics have pointed out that while Salman delivers a power-packed performance, the film lacks a strong storyline, innovative direction, and engaging screenplay. Social media discussions also indicate that fans expected a more gripping and fresh concept rather than a formulaic action drama.
What Lies Ahead for Sikandar?
The real test for Sikandar begins now. While the festive season provided a slight boost, its performance on weekdays will determine whether it can sustain its run at the box office.
Weekday Collections
Typically, films that have strong content manage to hold their collections even after the opening weekend. If Sikandar sees a sharp decline on Tuesday and Wednesday, it may struggle to recover in the coming days.
Word of Mouth
A film’s success largely depends on audience reception. If the current negative reviews continue to spread, potential viewers may opt out of watching the movie in theaters.
Upcoming Releases
With new films hitting theaters every week, Sikandar needs to maintain a steady performance to stay relevant at the box office. Otherwise, it may get overshadowed by newer, fresher releases.
Conclusion
While Sikandar opened decently and saw some Eid advantage, it has not lived up to the high expectations associated with Salman Khan’s festive releases. Facing competition from L2: Empuraan and receiving lukewarm reviews, the movie’s box office future remains uncertain.
Whether Sikandar will bounce back with better numbers in the coming days or continue its downward trend will depend on audience word-of-mouth and sustained interest in the film. As of now, it stands as one of Salman Khan’s weakest Eid openings, marking a challenging phase for the Bollywood superstar.
