Salman Khan’s action thriller Sikandar, directed by AR Murugadoss and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, released worldwide on Sunday, March 30, 2025, during the Eid festive season. The film has reportedly taken theatres by storm with its high-octane action, mass appeal, and Salman’s electrifying entry scene. Fans across the globe celebrated the return of their hero on the big screen with party poppers and dance moves inside the theatres. Social media is buzzing with praise for the gripping action film, powered by a stunning background score and studded with whistling-worthy dialogues. Salman’s legion of fans hailed his latest outing as the "perfect Eid gift." Sikandar has, as per reports, easily earned the tag of being a "paisa vasool" movie, further solidifying Salman’s status as a box office magnet.
The ensemble cast includes Rashmika Mandanna, Kajal Aggarwal, Sathyaraj, Sharman Joshi, and Prateik Babbar. The film’s vibrant soundtrack features hits like "Zohra Jabeen" and "Bam Bam Bhole," adding to the spectacle. With overwhelming early reactions, Sikandar is set to rule the box office and poised to become one of the biggest hits of the year.
Age doesn’t matter! Enthusiasm and experience—it’s the best combo in the world, says Salman Khan, who turns 60 this year and finds things going better and easier now, be it in terms of his fitness regimen or his work. In fact, says Bollywood's star through the decades, whose latest film Sikandar releases on Sunday, the enthusiasm is even greater now than at any time in his youth. "Sixty and all doesn’t matter. Today, the way I train and whatever I do, it is better than what I was in my 20s, 30s, and 40s. I don’t feel it at all. In fact, it’s a lot easier, it’s a lot better," Salman told PTI in an interview.
Salman made his acting debut with a supporting role in the 1988 film Biwi Ho To Aisi, but the big breakthrough came the following year with the mega-hit Maine Pyar Kiya (1989), which catapulted him to stardom. Thirty-six years later, his stardom endures. "Work-wise, everyone’s experience is there. Chronologically, it gives you that experience with the people you meet, the people you work with, and life experiences that teach you a lot. The enthusiasm has not gone away. With the increase in experience, even the enthusiasm has increased. So now, the combination of being enthusiastic and being experienced is the best combination in the world," Salman said.
Trade experts predict that Sikandar will earn around Rs 40 to 50 crore at the box office on its opening day. Gautam Dutta, CEO-Revenue & Operations, PVR INOX Ltd, stated, "With early estimates pointing to a Rs 50 crore opening on Sunday and a strong box office run ahead, Sikandar is all set to bring audiences together for an unforgettable cinematic experience." Salman Khan's films have become synonymous with Eid, turning the festival into a highly anticipated event for his fans. Over the years, his Eid releases—including Wanted, Dabangg, Bodyguard, Kick, Sultan, and Bajrangi Bhaijaan—have consistently dominated the box office, drawing massive crowds to theatres.
However, his last Eid film—Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan (2023)—did not live up to the hype, something Salman hopes to break with Sikandar. The film chronicles the life of the titular character, a man enjoying a happy marriage to Saisri Rajkot, played by Rashmika Mandanna. However, his professional commitments often keep him away from his wife, causing strain in their relationship. The plot takes a sharp turn when Sikandar has a heated confrontation with Minister Pradhan’s son, Arjun, during a flight. This incident triggers a series of conflicts, setting Sikandar against the powerful politician and threatening to disrupt both his personal and social life.
Public reviews have been mixed, with some praising its storytelling while others felt it fell short. Some viewers also questioned the on-screen chemistry between Salman and Rashmika, saying it didn’t feel convincing. While some enjoyed the entertainment factor, others expected more. One fan tweeted, "Just watched Sikandar in London, and it was an incredible film and experience!! Salman Khan delivers a magnificent performance, supported by excellent BGM, imagery and plot! Excellent cast, including Rashmika! Whole cinema was bouncing." Another added, "Mass entertainer, og climax, heartwarming story. Salman Khan's acting mass level is like never seen before. BGM song too massy like Jawan. Paisa wasool movie go watch first day first show only."
Despite the mixed reviews, excitement around Sikandar has been palpable. Fans have been seen celebrating the release by cutting cakes outside theatres and wearing customized T-shirts. A viral video showed fans grooving to the "Zohra Jabeen" song featuring Salman Khan and Rashmika Mandanna. The film has reportedly sold over 98,296 tickets, contributing Rs 2.83 crore to the total box office collection before its release.
As for the technical side, the music is composed by Pritam, with a background score by Santhosh Narayanan, enhancing the film’s intense and dramatic narrative. Songs like "Zohra Jabeen," "Bam Bam Bhole," "Sikandar Naache," and "Hum Aapke Bina" have already captivated audiences and contributed to the film’s growing popularity. The film has hit approximately 3,500 screens across 2,000 locations in over 115 countries, marking it as Salman Khan's widest overseas release.
However, Sikandar faced challenges even before its release, as the film was leaked online by pirates on Saturday night, hours before it was to be released. The producer had the authorities pull the film down from around 600 websites, but the damage may have already been done, impacting box office prospects. "The producer had the authorities pull the film down from 600 sites last night but the harm had been done. The multiplication continued and is still continuing. Condemnable act which could cost the producer of the Salman starrer dear," trade analyst Komal Nahta stated.
Despite the hurdles, the excitement for Sikandar continues to grow, with fans eager to see how it performs at the box office in the coming days. Will it break records and reclaim Salman’s title as the king of Eid releases? Only time will tell.
