Salman Khan’s highly anticipated action-thriller Sikandar began its box office journey with strong numbers, but it seems the initial excitement has started to fade. After a power-packed first week, the film is now struggling to maintain momentum in its second week. On Day 10, which was the second Tuesday since its release, the movie managed to earn only ₹1.35 crore, marking the lowest single-day collection so far.
This sharp dip has raised concerns about the film’s long-term performance, especially when it comes to reaching the ₹150 crore benchmark that fans and analysts had hoped for.
The Hype Before the Release
Sikandar was promoted as Salman Khan’s big return to the silver screen in 2025, loaded with high-octane action, emotional drama, and powerful dialogues. The movie had all the ingredients of a mass entertainer: a big star cast, gripping storyline, patriotic undertones, and chart-topping music. Salman’s fan base was excited, ticket bookings were strong in advance, and the buzz created an atmosphere of guaranteed success.
The first weekend collection seemed to support the hype. The film crossed ₹75 crore in its first three days and ended its first week with an impressive total of ₹108 crore. But as the second week began, the numbers began to tell a different story.
Box Office Collection – Day-by-Day Breakdown
Here’s how Sikandar has performed at the box office so far:
- Day 1 (Friday): ₹25.5 crore
- Day 2 (Saturday): ₹27 crore
- Day 3 (Sunday): ₹27.5 crore
- Day 4 (Monday): ₹12 crore
- Day 5 (Tuesday): ₹10 crore
- Day 6 (Wednesday): ₹9 crore
- Day 7 (Thursday): ₹7 crore
- Week 1 Total: ₹108 crore
- Day 8 (Second Friday): ₹5.2 crore
- Day 9 (Saturday): ₹4.5 crore
- Day 10 (Sunday): ₹3.6 crore
- Day 10 (Second Tuesday): ₹1.35 crore
- Total (10 Days): ₹122.65 crore (approx.)
These numbers indicate that while the film had a solid start, the pace has dropped significantly — especially on weekdays in the second week.
Why the Sudden Drop in Collection?
1. Mixed Word of Mouth
While Salman’s fanbase loved the film for its action and drama, the general audience and critics offered mixed reviews. Some found the story predictable and the screenplay a bit outdated. As the initial excitement wore off, word of mouth didn’t do much to bring in a newer audience.
2. Strong Competition
Sikandar faced heavy competition from other releases that were more critically acclaimed or had fresh storylines. Films catering to niche audiences or with star-studded casts in different genres took away significant footfall from multiplexes.
3. Lack of Mid-Week Appeal
The film’s appeal seems to be limited to weekends. On weekdays, especially from Monday onwards, the numbers dropped drastically — a clear sign that repeat viewers or word-of-mouth traction wasn’t helping.
4. Streaming and Social Media Impact
The digital age has changed the way people consume entertainment. With spoilers, reviews, and scene clips all over social media, many potential viewers might be waiting for the film to release on OTT platforms.
Audience Reactions: Divided but Loyal
On one side, Salman Khan’s fans continue to shower love on the film, flooding social media with appreciation posts. Hashtags like #SikandarMassHit and #SalmanKhanSwag continue to trend occasionally. On the other side, neutral viewers seem to believe that the film doesn’t offer anything new.
This divide is crucial because it affects sustainability at the box office. A fan-driven film may open big, but without broader appeal, it struggles to go the distance.
The Road Ahead: Can ‘Sikandar’ Recover?
While Sikandar may still cross the ₹130–135 crore mark in the coming days, touching ₹150 crore will be a stretch unless the film sees a surprising weekend surge or holiday push.
To maintain momentum, the makers might introduce offers, organize fan screenings, or even push the digital release early to recover costs through satellite and OTT rights.
That said, Salman Khan’s star power ensures that the film won’t be declared a complete failure. Even with the recent drop, Sikandar has made a decent amount in 10 days compared to many other 2025 releases.
Critical Reviews So Far
Critics have had mixed to average reactions to Sikandar. While the action sequences, cinematography, and Salman’s screen presence were praised, the screenplay and lack of innovation were heavily criticized.
- Positive Points:
- Salman’s performance and charisma.
- High production quality.
- Catchy soundtrack and massy dialogues.
- Negative Points:
- Predictable plot.
- Weak emotional connection.
- Overuse of tried-and-tested action formulas.
Conclusion: A Mixed Box Office Ride
Sikandar started strong but now finds itself in tricky territory. While it’s far from a flop, the sharp fall in weekday collections — especially the ₹1.35 crore on Day 10 — is an indicator that the film needs a fresh push to sustain its run.
Will Salman Khan’s charm be enough to bring back the audience over the coming weekend? Or will Sikandar end up as just an average grosser in the superstar’s filmography?
Only time will tell. For now, Sikandar stands as a reminder that in 2025, even the biggest stars need strong content to maintain box office supremacy.