Salman Khan’s much-anticipated film Sikandar opened to lukewarm box office numbers, earning Rs 26 crore on its debut, which was also marked by the festivities of Eid. This figure fell short of Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava, which had garnered nearly Rs 30 crore on its first day. Despite its grand release, Sikandar faced criticism from reviewers, who largely disapproved of the film’s execution. This prompts an examination of how this opening compares to Salman Khan’s past box office performances.
An integral part of the Yash Raj Films’ ‘Spyverse,’ Sikandar features Salman in an adrenaline-charged role as a secret agent on a perilous mission. This follows a pattern seen in his previous films. Notably, Tiger 3, another film within the franchise directed by Maneesh Sharma, pulled in Rs 44.5 crore on its first day despite mixed reviews, eventually amassing about Rs 282 crore within India. The stark difference highlights Sikandar’s struggle to capture the expected level of audience enthusiasm.
Among Salman’s recent releases, Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, directed by Farhad Samji, stands as another Eid launch. This remake of Veeram brought in Rs 13.5 crore on its first day, and concluded its theatrical journey with a cumulative Rs 110 crore, categorized as a less-than-expected performance. It explored the narrative of an unmarried man living with his siblings, combining humor with action.
In another venture, Salman portrayed a Sikh cop, evoking a gritty vibe reminiscent of Vaastav. Directed by Mahesh Manjrekar, the film saw a meager opening of Rs 5 crore, accumulating a total of Rs 40 crore eventually, showing less impact compared to its predecessors. This pattern surfaced again in the action saga Dabangg 3, directed by Prabhudeva, which despite Salman reprising his role as the high-energy cop Chulbul Pandey, managed just Rs 24.50 crore on its first day.
Bharat, on the other hand, under Ali Abbas Zafar’s direction, set the box office ablaze with a strong opening of Rs 42 crore, ultimately grossing Rs 202 crore. It remains one of Salman Khan’s more triumphant Eid releases. This demonstrates the fluctuating trajectory of Salman Khan’s box office performances over recent years.
As Sikandar maneuvers through its initial phase, these figures serve as a reflection of both audience expectations and reactions to repeated themes in Bollywood narratives starring Khan. Moving forward, the industry will keenly observe whether Salman Khan’s box office allure can reignite with future offerings.
