Salman Khan will be returning to the silver screens with a bang with Sikandar, an action thriller helmed by AR Murugadoss. The movie is set to release on Eid 2025 (March 28), and has already created huge buzz, thanks to its humongous INR 400 crore budget and Salman Khan’s reported record-breaking paycheck.
How much did Salman Khan charge for ‘Sikandar’ and what is his net worth? One of the highest-paid actors in Bollywood, Salman often commands between INR 100-150 crore per movie. Yet, insiders indicate his pay for Sikandar is even higher, making him one of India’s top-paid stars. His net worth is estimated at INR 2,900 crore, underscoring the stakes involved.
Interestingly, Salman Khan started his career with just INR 75 as a background dancer. Reflecting on his early days, he shared, “My first salary was about Rs 75. I was dancing behind in some show in the Taj Hotel. One of my friends was dancing there so he took me (and I did it) just for fun.” He made his acting debut with the 1988 film Biwi Ho Toh Aisi, where he earned INR 11,000 for his role.
Sikandar is positioned to take advantage of its release cue from Salman Khan’s previous film, Tiger 3, aiming for higher box office collections by launching on Sunday rather than the typical Friday. This strategic decision reflects the optimism surrounding the film.
What is the story of Salman Khan’s Sikandar? The narrative reportedly revolves around Salman playing double roles, mixing action, drama, and emotional moments to create the quintessential masala entertainer for audiences. Alongside him, the impressive cast includes Rashmika Mandanna, Sathyaraj, Sharman Joshi, and Prateik Babbar.
Rashmika Mandanna has quickly established herself as the national crush following the immense success of her recent films. After Animal, which grossed over ₹900 crores, and Pushpa 2, the highest-grossing film wherein she played alongside Allu Arjun, her current project Chhaava has also performed well at the box office, crossing ₹400 crores.
Fans believe Rashmika brings luck to all her projects, with many attributing her co-starring presence to Vicky Kaushal’s current surge to stardom. Given Salman Khan's recent challenges at the box office, with previous releases like Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan and Tiger 3 underperforming, Sikandar stands as more than just another film for him; it is viewed as a potential lifeline to his waning career.
Many industry analysts speculate if Rashmika’s growing star power can revitalize Sikandar. If she maintains her streak of successful films, it could pave the way for Salman’s unsurprising comeback. The film's box-office performance is not only significant for Salman but also pivotal for Rashmika, indicating whether her popularity is coincidental or the product of fruitful script choices and dedicated performances.
While the excitement builds for Sikandar, it hasn’t been without controversy. The teaser was released recently, but not without backlash; fans expressed outrage at Salman Khan's omission of Kajal Aggarwal from the teaser credits. Kajal, who is not the lead actress but has played notable roles, is admired widely, particularly among her Telugu fanbase. Observers feel it was disrespectful to overlook her contributions, especially since she boasts more industry experience than Rashmika.
Social media has since erupted with fan demands urging proper acknowledgment of Kajal Aggarwal’s involvement as excitement builds for updates anticipated soon, possibly new songs or trailers from the film.
Will Sikandar be the film to restore Salman Khan to box office glory and affirm Rashmika’s winning streak as well? Or will it serve as another missed opportunity for both actors? Only time will tell, but with the excitement and speculation, all eyes are undoubtedly on Sikandar. The film looks ready to make waves come Eid 2025, and industry experts will be closely monitoring its impact on the careers of those involved.