Salman Khan, one of Bollywood’s most iconic stars, is set to return to the silver screen with his highly anticipated film, Sikandar. This marks his first major appearance since Tiger 3 in 2023, which, despite high expectations, did not perform as anticipated at the box office. Like Tiger 3, Sikandar will adopt a Sunday release strategy, a decision that has sparked discussion, especially after Tiger 3’s lackluster performance. However, Salman Khan remains optimistic about Sikandar, with early projections indicating a strong start.
Industry tracker Sacnilk reports that Sikandar has already sold approximately 2.2 lakh tickets for its Hindi version, generating an impressive Rs 6.46 crore. Including blocked seats, or self-purchased tickets, the film’s earnings rise to Rs 13.53 crore. With over 8,000 Hindi-language shows scheduled across India, the film appears poised for an impressive opening, with estimates suggesting it could earn around Rs 28 crore on its debut day. Although this figure trails Tiger 3’s opening day by Rs 18 crore, it surpasses the first-day earnings of Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, another recent Salman film that didn’t meet expectations.
Despite his enduring popularity and devoted fan base, Salman Khan’s recent box office performances have prompted some concern. Since the success of Tiger Zinda Hai in 2017, he has struggled to deliver a bona fide hit. Both Tiger 3 and Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan were considered underwhelming, leading to scrutiny regarding a perceived decline in his star power. This criticism is partly attributed to his frequent television appearances, notably as the host of Bigg Boss, which some industry insiders speculate might have led to overexposure, diminishing the excitement for his films.
In contrast, Rashmika Mandanna, Salman’s co-star in Sikandar, is experiencing tremendous success at the box office. Her recent films, Animal, Pushpa 2: The Rule, and Chhaava, have collectively grossed over Rs 3,400 crore worldwide, establishing her as one of the industry’s top stars. This disparity between Salman and Rashmika’s box office fortunes intensifies the pressure on Salman to deliver a hit with Sikandar.
Directed by AR Murugadoss, known for his work on Ghajini, Sikandar also stars Kajal Aggarwal, Sathya Raj, Sharman Joshi, and Prateik Babbar in pivotal roles. Meanwhile, Salman is juggling several exciting projects, including sequels to his blockbuster films Kick and Bajrangi Bhaijaan, in addition to reprising his role as Tiger in future installments of the Tiger franchise. With so much at stake, Sikandar could be the film that helps Salman Khan reclaim his place at the pinnacle of Bollywood.
