Salman Khan’s much-anticipated action entertainer Sikandar, directed by AR Murugadoss, has seen its box office momentum fade significantly since its release. Despite the star power of Salman and the film marking his first-ever pairing with Rashmika Mandanna, the movie has struggled to maintain steady collections in the third week of its theatrical run.
As per the latest industry estimates from Sacnilk, Sikandar managed to rake in only ₹14 lakh on its 18th day, taking its total earnings to ₹109.74 crore against a massive production budget reportedly pegged at ₹200 crore. Despite high expectations and pre-release hype, the film’s performance has fallen short of expectations.
The Hindi version’s theatre occupancy on April 18 hovered at a low 6.19%. The day was marked by sparse turnouts across all time slots — starting at 4.78% for morning screenings and only slightly improving by night, peaking at 6.96%.
Even as Sikandar faces challenges at the box office, Salman Khan continues to receive unwavering support from fellow actors. During the promotional events for Kesari: Chapter 2 in Delhi, Akshay Kumar came to Salman’s defense when asked about the underperformance of high-budget releases like Sikandar.
Akshay dismissed the negative narrative, saying, “This is not true. It can’t be! Salman is like the immortal tiger of our industry. Tigers like him don’t fade away, they only roar louder with time.” His light-hearted but warm words were a testament to the camaraderie the two superstars share, and also to the faith the industry continues to have in Salman’s enduring appeal.
The buzz around Sikandar was high even before its release, especially as it brought Rashmika Mandanna and Salman Khan together for the first time on-screen, under the direction of AR Murugadoss, known for hits like Ghajini and Holiday. But despite the big names attached, the film has struggled to pull audiences back into theatres, facing stiff competition and possibly falling victim to changing audience preferences.
In an earlier conversation, Salman Khan had also addressed the challenges he faces, even as a veteran superstar. Speaking candidly, he mentioned that many people in the film fraternity assume his fame alone is enough to carry a film, which often results in him receiving less promotional support from within the industry.
“People seem to think I don’t need anyone’s backing, but the truth is — everyone needs support, no matter how long you’ve been around,” Salman shared with Bollywood Bubble. He also noted that he has always stood by his friends and peers when it comes to promoting their projects.
While Sikandar may not have struck gold at the box office, the film remains a significant addition to Salman Khan’s filmography and highlights Rashmika Mandanna’s growing footprint in Bollywood. Whether it turns into a slow-burn success or ends as a rare underwhelming chapter in Khan’s career remains to be seen.
