Salman Khan's highly anticipated film, Sikandar, hit theaters on March 30, 2025, coinciding with the festive celebrations of Eid and Gudi Padwa. However, despite the excitement surrounding its release, the film's first-day box office figures were somewhat underwhelming, with the A. Murugadoss directorial collecting approximately Rs 26 crore, slightly below expectations.
Box office tracker Sacnilk reported that on its opening day, Sikandar achieved an overall Hindi occupancy of 20.95% in 2D and 22.96% in IMAX 2D. The film's performance varied across different cities, with Chennai leading at 46.67% occupancy, followed by Bengaluru at 28%. Jaipur and Kolkata registered 24.67%, while Hyderabad recorded 22%, the NCR region 21%, and Mumbai 20.67%.
Directed by the acclaimed A. Murugadoss, known for the blockbuster Ghajini, Sikandar tells the poignant story of Sanjay Rajkot, a powerful leader from Rajkot, Gujarat. Revered by many yet feared by his adversaries, he earns the formidable title of Sikandar due to his relentless pursuit of justice. However, his seemingly invincible world crumbles when his beloved wife, Saisri, tragically perishes in a devastating explosion. As he grapples with his immense loss, Sanjay learns that Saisri had chosen to donate her organs, giving life to several strangers. This revelation sets him on an emotionally charged path, compelling him to seek out the individuals who now carry a piece of her within them.
The film, reportedly backed by a colossal budget of ₹200 crore, features a star-studded cast including Aamir Khan in the titular role, Rashmika Mandanna, Kajal Aggarwal, Sharman Joshi, Prateik Babbar, and the esteemed Tamil veteran Sathyaraj. With a compelling storyline infused with emotion, action, and grandeur, Sikandar promises to be an intense cinematic experience that delves deep into themes of loss, resilience, and redemption.
Despite the initial box office figures, the film continues to benefit from the Eid hype. The excitement around Sikandar was palpable, as fans gathered outside Mumbai's Gaiety Galaxy cinema to celebrate its release. They held up posters of the film and even cut a cake in honor of the occasion. Salman Khan's loyal fanbase demonstrated their devotion in various ways, including a viral video showing long queues outside theaters, eager fans rushing in to witness the action-packed entertainer.
Salman Khan himself addressed the media about the challenges of filming action scenes at his age, stating, "Every bone of my body has been broken twice or thrice while filming the action-thriller. Every ligament has been torn 2-3 times. We didn’t even get to rest then." He added that while people might make an issue out of it, it’s not a concern for him.
Meanwhile, the film's music, featuring the song "Lag Ja Gale," has also received praise, with singer Iulia Vantur reposting a fan's comment on social media that admired her voice. The buzz surrounding Sikandar was further amplified by a grand display in Dubai, where Ain Dubai, the world’s largest Ferris wheel, was illuminated with visuals from the film, dazzling the night sky.
In a light-hearted moment, Salman Khan humorously requested multinational corporations to increase salaries and pay bonuses, encouraging audiences to support not just Sikandar but also other films like Mohanlal’s Empuraan and Sunny Deol’s upcoming Jaat. He acknowledged the competition and expressed admiration for Mohanlal as an actor.
As the film's release date approached, fans showed their support in extravagant ways. One devoted fan from Rajasthan, Kuldeep Kaswan, purchased 800 tickets worth Rs 1.72 lakh and distributed them for free, showcasing his admiration for the superstar. Previously, he had also gifted Khan's clothing brand merchandise worth Rs 6.35 lakh on the actor’s birthday.
Salman Khan's fitness trainer, Rakkesh R Uddiyar, provided an update on the actor's health, revealing that Salman is currently focusing on recovery, cardio, and physiotherapy. He noted that this isn't the first time Salman has faced injuries on set, recalling a similar incident during the filming of Sultan.
As the film continues to garner attention, director A.R. Murugadoss promised that Sikandar would have the emotional depth of Ghajini, delving into the complexities of modern relationships. He emphasized that the film explores how families function today and what might be missing in our relationships.
In a recent interview, Salman Khan expressed that while he doesn't feel nervous about film releases, he does find live performances and concerts more challenging due to the spontaneous nature of those events. He mentioned that he prefers scripted performances to avoid potential misunderstandings.
As the weekend progresses, Sikandar is expected to continue its box office journey, with hopes that the night shows will draw in larger audiences, especially with the Eid factor boosting family attendance. The film's advance booking numbers have been impressive, with over 1.5 lakh tickets sold in national chains across the country.
In summary, while Sikandar may not have met the initial box office expectations, the film's emotional narrative, coupled with Salman Khan's star power and the festive timing of its release, ensures that it remains a topic of conversation among fans and film enthusiasts alike.
