Mumbai, June 29, 2024 – Bollywood superstar Salman Khan's latest action thriller Sikandar has delivered a surprisingly tepid performance at the box office, collecting just ₹26 crore on its opening day. The film's modest start has raised eyebrows across the industry, particularly given Khan's historic dominance during Eid releases and the project's reported ₹200 crore production budget.
Directed by A.R. Murugadoss and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, Sikandar marks Khan's return to the action genre that made him a box office titan. However, early audience reactions suggest the formula may be wearing thin, with many viewers criticizing the film's predictable plot despite its high-octane action sequences. The lukewarm reception stands in stark contrast to Khan's previous Eid blockbusters like Bharat (2019) and Sultan (2016), which opened at ₹42.30 crore and ₹36.54 crore respectively.
Industry analysts point to several factors behind the disappointing numbers. The film's release timing - coming a day after Bakrid - meant it missed the full festive rush that typically boosts Eid releases. It also faced unexpected competition from regional films in South Indian markets, where Khan's appeal has traditionally been strong. Early trade reports indicate occupancy rates hovered around 45-50% in multiplexes, significantly lower than the 60-70% range seen for Khan's previous Eid offerings.
The international market offered slightly better news, with the film grossing ₹18 crore from territories including the UAE, USA and UK. However, the combined worldwide total of ₹44 crore remains below expectations for a Salman Khan starrer of this scale.
Trade experts remain divided on the film's prospects. "While ₹26 crore is a respectable number for most stars, it's underwhelming for Salman Khan during Eid," noted veteran trade analyst Taran Adarsh. "The weekend trend will be crucial - if collections don't show significant growth on Saturday and Sunday, it could spell trouble." Others pointed out that the film's performance mirrors Khan's recent box office struggles, including last year's Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, which failed to meet expectations despite the Eid release window.
As the industry watches closely, all eyes are now on Sikandar's weekend numbers. A strong Saturday-Sunday surge could still put the film on track to recover its massive production costs, but the tepid opening suggests Bollywood's "Eid bonanza" formula may need reinvention. The film's performance also raises broader questions about changing audience preferences, with viewers increasingly demanding fresh storytelling alongside star power and spectacle.
With mixed word-of-mouth circulating on social media and competing films vying for attention, Sikandar faces an uphill battle to prove it has the legs to become the summer blockbuster its makers envisioned. As one industry insider noted, "The days when a Salman Khan film could guarantee opening day records purely on star power appear to be fading. The game has changed."
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Source: Moneycontrol
