Salman Khan’s latest action flick, Sikandar, hit theaters on March 30, 2025, just in time for Eid, and it’s already making waves. Directed by A.R. Murugadoss and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, the movie’s raked in big bucks at the box office, even with critics and fans split down the middle. As of box office numbers, it’s clear Salman’s star power and his die-hard fans are keeping this ship afloat, proving once again why he’s Bollywood’s “Bhai.”
A Solid Start at the Box Office
Sikandar kicked off with a bang, pulling in around ₹26 crore net in India on its opening day, according to early estimates from Sacnilk. That’s not the monster opening some expected—trade folks hoped for ₹40 crore-plus, given Salman’s Eid track record—but it’s still landed as his eighth-biggest opener ever. Globally, the makers are shouting from the rooftops about a ₹54.72 crore haul on day one, with overseas markets like the Middle East and North America chipping in a hefty $2.25 million, making it 2025’s top Bollywood opener abroad so far.
Day two, boosted by the Eid holiday on March 31, saw a slight uptick—early numbers peg it at ₹25-26 crore net in India, bringing the two-day total to just under ₹60 crore. It’s not the explosive jump fans dreamed of, but mass centers like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar kept the seats filled, even if city multiplexes stayed quieter. The film’s playing on a massive 5,500 screens in India—22,000+ shows daily—and 9,000 worldwide, giving it a huge canvas to pull in crowds.
Mixed Reviews: Love It or Leave It
The buzz around Sikandar hasn’t been all rosy. Critics have been tough, calling it everything from “dull” to “dated.” Hindustan Times slammed the screenplay as “extremely dull,” saying it’s a far cry from Salman’s old Eid magic. India Today echoed that, noting the film’s weak writing and lack of fresh ideas, despite Murugadoss’s knack for big-star projects. On the flip side, Deccan Chronicle gave it a nod, saying Salman’s action scenes and emotional beats still hit home for his fans, even if the story’s predictable.
Fans are split too. Some are raving—calling it his “career-best” on X, loving the high-octane fights and that classic Salman swagger. Others aren’t so kind, with posts begging him to “retire” or pick better scripts. “Same old story, same old moves,” one disappointed viewer wrote, while another said, “It’s not bad, but we want more from Bhai.” The mixed word-of-mouth hasn’t stopped the loyalists, though—outside Mumbai’s Gaiety Galaxy theater, fans handed out free tickets and garlanded posters, showing love that numbers can’t measure.
Fan Loyalty Saves the Day
Here’s the thing: Salman’s fans don’t care much about reviews. They’ve stuck by him through flops like Tubelight and Radhe, and Sikandar is no different. The film’s got a piracy mess—leaked online hours before release, with over 3,000 links yanked down by the team and Mumbai’s Cyber Cell—but fans still showed up. “Salman’s stardom is bulletproof,” a trade analyst said. “Even with a so-so film, he pulls crowds.” That’s why mass circuits are buzzing, even if city slickers aren’t biting.
The cast—Rashmika Mandanna as his wife, plus Kajal Aggarwal and Sathyaraj—adds some shine, but it’s Salman’s show. His intro scene, mid-air on a plane, has fans cheering, and his emotional moments with kids in the climax are winning hearts, even if the plot’s thin. Piracy might’ve dented the take—trade expert Komal Nahta warned it could “cost dear”—but the Eid weekend’s long tail could still push it past ₹100 crore in India if the buzz holds.
Sikandar isn’t breaking records like Salman’s Sultan (₹36.54 crore opening) or Bharat (₹42.30 crore), and it’s trailing 2025’s Bollywood champ, Chhaava (₹31 crore day one). It’s also got competition—Mohanlal’s L2: Empuraan raked in ₹67 crore worldwide on its opener, stealing some thunder. But with a nine-day holiday stretch ahead, there’s room to grow. If rural areas keep rocking and overseas stays strong, it might hit ₹200 crore-plus globally—not a knockout, but a solid win.
For Salman, it’s a test. After Tiger 3 stumbled in 2023, Sikandar is his shot at a comeback. The fans are there, the cash is flowing, and even with the haters and hiccups, he’s proving he’s still got pull. Love it or hate it, Sikandar’s a testament to one thing: when Salman Khan steps up, his people show up—reviews be damned.