The article discusses the disappointing box office performance of Salman Khan's latest film, "Sikandar," which was released during the Eid holiday. Despite high expectations and predictions for a record-breaking opening, the film failed to meet these benchmarks, leading to disappointment among fans and critics alike.

Day 1 Box Office Collection

Earnings and Rankings

On its opening day, "Sikandar" managed to collect ₹30.06 crores net in India. This figure places it as the second-highest opening for Bollywood in 2025, following "Chhaava," which earned ₹33.10 crores., it falls significantly short of the highest Eid collections in Bollywood history.

Comparison with Previous Eid Releases

"Sikandar" ranks as the 7th highest Eid opening in Bollywood. The following are the top 10 highest Eid openings:

1. Bharat (2019): 42.30 crore
2. Race 3 (2018): 38.14 crore
3. Sultan (2016): 36.54 crore
4. Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015): 36.60 crore
5. Chennai Express (2013): 33.10 crore
6. Sikandar (2025): 30.06 crores
7. Kick (2014): 29 crore
8. Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan (2023): 25.75 crore
9. Bodyguard (2011): 21 crore
10. Ek Tha Tiger (2012): 20 crore

Notably, "Tubelight" (2017) has now dropped out of the top 10 list, while Salman Khan retains nine spots on this list, underscoring his historical box office dominance during Eid releases.

Factors Influencing Performance

Mixed Reviews and Audience Reception

The film's performance was adversely affected by mixed early reviews. Many cine-goers expressed disappointment, feeling that Salman Khan did not deliver his best performance under the direction of AR Murugadoss. The initial buzz surrounding the film was dampened, which was evident from the lukewarm advance bookings and lackluster spot bookings on the day of release.

Expectations vs. Reality

Early predictions had anticipated that "Sikandar" would achieve an opening collection between ₹35-38 crores. However, as the day progressed, these expectations were revised downwards to the ₹30 crore mark, reflecting a significant deviation from initial forecasts. The final collection, while decent given the circumstances, was not what fans and industry insiders had hoped for from a Salman Khan film released during Eid.

Conclusion

In summary, "Sikandar" had a disappointing box office opening on its first day, earning ₹30.06 crores and ranking as the 7th highest Eid opener in Bollywood history. The film's performance was hindered by mixed reviews and lower-than-expected audience turnout, despite the holiday's potential for high earnings. As the film continues to be screened, it remains to be seen how it will perform in the coming days, especially considering the significance of Eid in boosting box office collections.