Salman Khan’s upcoming action drama "Sikandar", set for release this Eid, is expected to register a powerful opening at the box office with an estimated first-day collection of around Rs 40 to 50 crore. Directed by A.R. Murugadoss, the film marks Salman’s return to Eid releases after a gap of two years, his last being “Tiger 3” in 2023, which arrived around Diwali. As per agency report, the film also stars actress Rashmika Mandanna and has generated significant buzz since the launch of its trailer earlier this month.
Industry insiders are optimistic about the film’s performance, pointing to the star power of Salman Khan and the historical box office success of his Eid releases such as “Wanted”, “Dabangg”, “Bodyguard”, “Kick”, “Sultan”, and “Bajrangi Bhaijaan”. However, some experts have also cautioned that the content and reception will play a major role in determining whether the film reaches the Rs 500 crore milestone, especially considering the underwhelming performance of Salman’s last Eid release, “Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan”.
Gautam Dutta, CEO of Revenue and Operations at PVR INOX Ltd., stated that early trends indicate a strong theatrical turnout, with the film poised to deliver a grand cinematic experience and potentially touch the Rs 50 crore mark on opening day. Exhibitor and distributor Rajesh Thadani echoed this optimism, noting that the Eid holiday would bring large audiences to theatres, although Sunday evening shows might see a slight dip due to festive observances.
Bihar-based exhibitor Vishek Chauhan also reported high enthusiasm among fans, with many shows already sold out. He projected that the film could earn between Rs 60 to 70 crore in its first two days, with Monday being particularly strong due to the post-Eid holiday effect. According to Chauhan, the trailer has received a better response compared to Salman’s previous films, and regular ticket pricing between Rs 200 and Rs 250 has helped sustain demand.
BookMyShow COO Ashish Saksena mentioned that the platform has observed strong pre-release booking trends across major markets. He noted that Salman’s return to a lead role on the big screen after nearly two years has significantly boosted anticipation.
Despite the positive sentiment, not all industry experts are convinced. Film trade analyst Komal Nahta remarked that the initial buzz was relatively muted and that while the trailer improved the outlook, the overall pre-release excitement hasn’t matched expectations typically associated with a Salman Khan film. Similarly, Raj Bansal, a veteran distributor from Jaipur, expressed cautious optimism, pointing out that the advance booking figures were lower than expected.
With the film set to hit theatres on March 30, all eyes are on how “Sikandar” performs, both critically and commercially. While early projections are optimistic, the ultimate box office trajectory will depend on audience response and word of mouth in the days following its release.
