This Eid was a big deal for Salman Khan fans. Their favorite star returned with Sikandar, marking his first Eid release in two years. After the last one (you remember Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, right?) flopped, expectations were high for this film. Unfortunately, from the get-go, it didn’t spark the excitement that typically surrounds Salman’s movies. While the reviews were pretty average and the film faced a lot of backlash online, it still managed to rake in impressive box office numbers. So, it raises the question: is Sikandar a success or a failure? The answer isn’t as clear-cut as you might think.

Sikandar's box office earnings to date

Sikandar hit theaters on Sunday, right before Eid. It had a decent start, raking in just over ₹54 crore globally, which is quite a bit less than the opening day earnings of Pathaan or Animal, both of which surpassed ₹100 crore. In the week since its release, Sikandar has made ₹97.50 crore net in India and ₹187 crore worldwide. While these figures aren't impressive for a Salman Khan movie, they're pretty solid for most other films.

The reason people are calling the numbers disappointing is that Sikandar made ₹26 crore on its opening day. In comparison, Salman's Bharat raked in ₹42 crore on its first day back in 2019. Even Race 3, which is considered one of his weaker films, pulled in ₹29 crore on its opening day right before Eid. The only Salman movie that did worse during Eid was Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, which only earned ₹13 crore on its opening day in 2023. So, while Sikandar isn't Salman's worst-performing film during Eid, it definitely leans more towards the lower end of the spectrum.

How Sikandar stacks up against the latest Bollywood heavyweights

One way to gauge a film's success is by comparing it to its rivals. In its first week, Sikandar raked in ₹187 crore globally. Meanwhile, Vicky Kaushal's Chhaava pulled in ₹307 crore during the same period, showing minimal decline throughout the weekdays. Last year's top Bollywood performer, Stree 2, surpassed that with a worldwide gross of ₹388 crore in just 7 days. Ranbir Kapoor's Animal outshined them all, earning a whopping ₹563 crore in its opening week. However, it's Shah Rukh Khan who truly dominates the scene, with both Pathaan and Jawan each grossing over ₹600 crore in their first week. Clearly, Sikandar has a long way to go.

Is Sikandar a success or a failure?

A source from the industry, who prefers to remain anonymous, shared their thoughts on Sikandar's situation: "These days, no film featuring a superstar really flops. They often skip salaries and rely on satellite and distribution rights, which helps lower budgets and allows films to recoup their costs. If that doesn't work out, digital rights usually ensure profitability. Sikandar has followed this trend as well. Distributors aren't facing losses either, so it should break even soon. However, a lot of cost-cutting has been necessary to achieve that. Still, it's a letdown for Salman Khan."

Like many blockbuster films, Sikandar is now winding down. Its box office earnings have dropped to single digits, with only 8-9% occupancy during the weekdays. Yet, without strong competition, it remains the top pick for exhibitors in theaters.

Industry insiders note that while Salman Khan is facing some backlash, it's his star power that's keeping the film afloat. Others involved in the project have distanced themselves as the film struggles. It remains to be seen just how much Salman’s stardom can carry Sikandar.

Read Also: Ajith Kumar's 'Good Bad Ugly' Trailer: A Thrilling Cinematic Experience Taking the Internet by Storm!

HOW DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE? CHOOSE YOUR EMOTICON!