There has rarely been such a significant disparity in the excitement surrounding two films featuring major stars. For Shah Rukh Khan, "Dunki" arrived during a peak period in his career, just three months after he achieved consecutive ₹1000-crore successes. This film marked his inaugural partnership with the renowned director Rajkumar Hirani, generating immense anticipation. In contrast, for Salman Khan, "Sikandar" did not appear to align with his typical film offerings. Discussions primarily revolved around his alleged weight gain and the age difference with his female co-star. Additionally, he had not experienced a major blockbuster in eight years. Nevertheless, the opening day box office results for both films were similar, with "Sikandar" actually surpassing "Dunki" in India. Despite any speculation regarding Salman's career and stardom, "Sikandar" serves as evidence that he remains vibrant and thriving.

How Sikandar was carried by Salman Khan

Sikandar marked AR Murugadoss' return to Hindi cinema, but the positive reputation he had built since the success of Ghajini has diminished over the past 17 years. Upon his return, he was almost perceived as a new name to Hindi audiences. The film's marketing was understated, and the surrounding discussions were predominantly neutral or negative. Nevertheless, Sikandar managed to achieve a net opening of ₹30 crore in India on its first day, surpassing Dunki's ₹29 crore opening day in December 2023. While it is important to note that Sikandar is a mass entertainer and Dunki is a social drama, implying that the latter was expected to have a slower start, the other challenges faced by Sikandar render this achievement quite unexpected.

Inevitably, following negative word of mouth, Sikandar's box office collections began to decline shortly after Eid. However, the film has still grossed over ₹100 crore in India and ₹200 crore globally. These figures are typically sought after by most actors outside the Khan and Ranbir/Hrithik circle. Yet, Salman Khan has effortlessly surpassed these milestones with a film he has labeled as his worst, accomplishing this feat in just over a week.

The conclusion is clear: Sikandar's box office performance underscores the enduring appeal of Salman Khan's superstardom. His dedicated fanbase remains unfazed by the film's quality, showing up in large numbers to ensure a strong opening. As the actor mentioned in a press conference before the release, his fans are instrumental in helping a film cross the ₹200 crore mark. In contrast, Aamir Khan's Laal Singh Chaddha struggled to exceed ₹125 crore, and before his hiatus, Shah Rukh Khan faced challenges reaching ₹200 crore with films like Zero and Raees. Yet, Salman continues to achieve these figures effortlessly, even during what may be the lowest point of his career in over 15 years.

But dear Salman, now it's time to listen to your fans

Supporters have demonstrated their desire to stand by Salman. They are willing to purchase tickets, attend theaters in large crowds, and combat negativity on social media directed at their favorite star (and there has been considerable negativity). However, these fans feel overlooked. Between the releases of Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan and Sikandar, many of Salman’s admirers have likely faced challenges to their loyalty, especially when they witness Shah Rukh Khan achieving remarkable success with Pathaan and Jawan during the same period, breaking box office records.

During an informal gathering following the release of Sikandar, fans urged the actor to "produce more films like Bajrangi Bhaijaan." The underlying message is unmistakable—prioritize quality, and the fans will bring the enthusiasm. There is no reason Salman cannot make a comeback if he chooses to. He still possesses significant appeal. If he can achieve ₹30 crore in India with a mediocre film like Sikandar, one can only imagine the heights he could reach with a project that truly reflects his star power. The timing and possibility of this resurgence now rest solely in Salman’s hands.

Read Also: Sunny Deol Responds to Salman Khan’s Comment on Bollywood’s Lack of Support

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