Salman Khan‘s much-anticipated Eid special release, ‘Sikandar’, has hit the big screen amidst great fanfare, with audiences turning theatres into vibrant celebrations filled with singing and dancing. Yet, despite this enthusiasm, the film’s opening numbers have fallen short of expectations. On its first day, March 30th, ‘Sikandar’ accumulated merely Rs 26 crore, a figure that pales in comparison to Vicky Kaushal‘s ‘Chhaava’, which debuted with Rs 31 crore on February 14th.
The underwhelming performance of ‘Sikandar’ has been linked to its unconventional release strategy. Unlike the traditional Friday premiere, the film debuted on a Sunday, relying heavily on the Eid and Ugadi festivities to drive audience attendance. Unfortunately, the plan did not yield the desired results. Compounding its struggles, the film suffered from an online leak, with HD copies surfacing on torrents and Telegram even before its official screening, allowing many to watch from home rather than in theatres.
Produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, ‘Sikandar’ showcases an ensemble cast including Rashmika Mandanna, Sathyaraj, Kajal Aggarwal, Sharman Joshi, Prateik Babbar, Kishore, Jatin Sarna, and Sanjay Kapoor. Directed by A. R. Murugadoss, the film boasts music by Pritam, cinematography by Tirru, and editing by Vivek Harshan. With a colossal budget of Rs 200 crore, ‘Sikandar’ ranks among the most costly productions in Indian cinema.
Critics have broadly labeled ‘Sikandar’ a disappointment, yet the box office journey has just begun, leaving room for potential recovery. Whether the combination of star power, festive timing, and widespread anticipation can eventually eclipse its rocky start remains to be seen. For those eager to share their perspectives on the film, reviews can be submitted to Indiatimes Entertainment.
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