Salman Khan’s much-anticipated Eid release, Sikandar, has made a spectacular return to the big screen, impressing fans despite mixed reviews. The film hit theatres on March 30, and by its second day, which coincided with Eid, it had earned Rs 29 crore across all languages. With an opening day collection of Rs 26 crore, the film’s domestic box office total now stands at Rs 55 crore, signaling a promising start.
Sacnilk reports the film’s impressive footfall with 26.70% occupancy during afternoon shows, followed by 30.18% in the evening and a strong 33.12% during night shows. The Hindi version of Sikandar recorded an overall occupancy of 24.60%, marking a solid performance across diverse audiences.
While the film’s box office collection reflects a strong opening, critics have had mixed reactions. Film critic Saibal Chatterjee gave Sikandar a mere two out of five stars, criticizing the film’s heavy reliance on action and spectacle. He pointed out that the movie, which alternates between Rajkot and Mumbai, attempts to emulate the success of films like Jawan, but fails to achieve a coherent and engaging narrative. Chatterjee noted that the film’s screenplay, penned by director A.R. Murugadoss, struggles with coherence, often relying on over-the-top situations that undermine the movie’s believability.
Despite the lukewarm reviews, Sikandar marks a historic collaboration between Salman Khan and Rashmika Mandanna, who both feature prominently in the lead roles. The film also showcases notable performances from Kajal Aggarwal, Sathyaraj, and Sharman Joshi. This release is also significant as it marks Salman Khan’s first project with director A.R. Murugadoss, who is known for his previous work on the 2008 blockbuster Ghajini, starring Aamir Khan.
Produced by Sajid Nadiadwala under his banner Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment, Sikandar has already surpassed the opening day earnings of Salman Khan’s previous Eid release, Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, which earned Rs 15 crore. However, Sikandar still falls short when compared to the record-breaking collections of Tiger Zinda Hai.
With such a promising start, fans and critics alike are eagerly waiting to see how the film performs in the coming days. As Sikandar continues its run, the focus will be on whether the film can sustain its momentum and surpass the expectations set by Salman Khan’s past Eid releases.
