Salman Khan’s “Sikandar”: A Flop in the Making – Box Office Collection and Impact on the Actor’s Career

KKN Gurugram Desk | Salman Khan’s much-anticipated film “Sikandar” hit theaters during the Eid weekend, but its performance has quickly taken a downward spiral, failing to make a mark at the box office. The film’s dramatic decline in earnings has raised questions about the future of the superstar, once hailed as the king of Bollywood. While his previous blockbuster “Tiger 3” earned a staggering ₹148.50 crore in its opening weekend, “Sikandar” is struggling to match even a fraction of that figure.

Sikandar’s Dismal Performance: What Went Wrong?

“Sikandar”, starring Salman Khan along with Rashmika Mandanna, Satyaraj, Kajal Aggarwal, Sharman Joshi, and Prateik Babbar, was released on April 1, 2025, just a day before Eid. However, the film’s box office collection has been far from impressive. Despite expectations that it would soar due to the festive season and Salman Khan’s star power, the film’s opening weekend was lackluster, and by the fourth day of its release, its collections had crashed dramatically.

Day-by-Day Box Office Breakdown:

1. Opening Day (Friday):
   The film made a modest ₹26 crore on its opening day. Given its hefty production cost of ₹200 crore, this figure was considered disappointing.

2. Day 2 (Eid Sunday):
   On Eid, when most films see a major jump in their collections, “Sikandar” managed only ₹29 crore. The expected surge in earnings did not materialize, leading to concerns about its performance in the coming days.

3. Day 3 (Monday):
   By the third day, the film’s earnings dropped significantly to ₹19.50 crore, signaling that the audience’s interest was waning.

4. Day 4 (Tuesday):
   On the fourth day, the situation got worse. The collections plummeted by almost 50%, with the film earning just ₹9.75 crore. This sharp drop highlighted the film’s inability to hold onto its audience.

In just four days, “Sikandar” earned ₹84.25 crore, a far cry from Salman Khan’s usual box office standards.

The Dwindling Legacy of Salman Khan: Is It a Shift in Bollywood Trends?

Salman Khan, known for delivering massive blockbusters consistently, is now facing a harsh reality. Once the undisputed star of Hindi cinema, Khan is slowly slipping from the mainstream limelight. His contemporaries, especially Aamir Khan, also faced similar fates after their consecutive failures, leading many to question whether the Khan era in Bollywood is coming to an end.

Salman’s previous films, such as “Tiger 3”, “Bharat”, and “Sultan”, had set high benchmarks at the box office. However, “Sikandar” seems to be a stark contrast, showing that even a Salman Khan film is no longer immune to audience indifference.

The Failure of “Sikandar”: A Lesson for Bollywood Producers

The major blow dealt by “Sikandar” is not just to Salman Khan’s reputation but also to the producers and the entire film industry. Previously, it was believed that any film starring a Khan would at least rake in ₹100 crore within the first weekend, regardless of the film’s content. However, “Sikandar” shatters this illusion.

Impact on OTT Rights and Netflix’s New Negotiations

Given the film’s underperformance, sources claim that Netflix, which had bought the OTT rights for “Sikandar”, is now re-negotiating the deal to lower the price. The initial deal, which was likely based on the expectation of a strong box office collection, now seems unrealistic. The film’s underwhelming performance at the domestic box office has forced Netflix to reconsider the terms, indicating that OTT platforms will now be more cautious in their investments for big-budget Bollywood films.

This situation serves as a wake-up call to filmmakers, especially those relying heavily on star power and overestimating audience interest based on past success. The audience’s tastes have evolved, and the formula of Salman Khan’s larger-than-life roles is no longer the surefire hit it once was.

A Look Back: Salman Khan’s Previous Top Box Office Performances

Despite the debacle of “Sikandar”, Salman Khan still remains one of Bollywood’s biggest stars. Here is a quick look at his films that made massive earnings during their opening weekends:

1. Sultan (2016) – ₹180.36 crore

2. Bharat (2019) – ₹150.10 crore

3. Tiger 3 (2023) – ₹148.50 crore

4. Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015) – ₹129.77 crore

5. Tiger Zinda Hai (2017) – ₹114.93 crore

6. Race 3 (2018) – ₹103.00 crore

7. Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015) – ₹102.60 crore

8. Ek Tha Tiger (2012) – ₹100.16 crore

9. Bodyguard (2011) – ₹88.75 crore

10. Kick (2014) – ₹83.83 crore

These figures highlight the massive success Salman Khan’s films have enjoyed in the past. However, “Sikandar” is a glaring exception to this trend. The film’s dismal performance, particularly in the opening days, has shocked the industry and audiences alike.

Is “Sikandar” a Lost Cause, or Can It Recover?

While the current outlook on “Sikandar” is bleak, it is too early to declare the film a complete failure. There is still a possibility that the film could recover some of its lost momentum through international markets or by gaining traction on OTT platforms. However, it’s clear that the traditional reliance on Salman Khan’s star power alone is no longer enough to guarantee success.

It remains to be seen whether the film’s declining box office collection will prompt a shift in how Bollywood films are marketed and distributed in the future. The failure of “Sikandar” could serve as a lesson for filmmakers to focus more on content quality, fresh storytelling, and diversified appeal to audiences, rather than solely relying on big names.

“Sikandar”’s performance marks a pivotal moment in Bollywood. It serves as a reminder that no star, no matter how influential, can guarantee box office success. As the tastes of the Indian audience evolve, filmmakers and actors must adapt or risk being left behind. Salman Khan may have once ruled the roost, but the failure of “Sikandar” raises crucial questions about the future of the Khan era in Bollywood.

This moment may also signal a shift in Bollywood’s overall strategy, pushing content-driven films and innovative storytelling into the limelight. Whether Salman Khan can reclaim his position at the top with his future projects or whether the industry will embrace new stars and ideas remains to be seen.

For now, “Sikandar” remains a cautionary tale about the changing dynamics of Bollywood, where even a superstar’s star power is no longer enough to guarantee box office domination.