Salman Khan’s latest action thriller, Sikandar, directed by A.R. Murugadoss, has made its much-anticipated debut in theaters. The film’s opening day performance, budget considerations, and future earnings projections are topics of significant discussion among industry analysts and fans alike. In this comprehensive analysis, we delve into Sikandar‘s first-day collection, online advance booking figures, factors influencing its box office performance, and its overall financial outlook.The Times of India+7FilmiBeat+7Indiatimes+7
First Day Collection
Sikandar opened on March 30, 2025, coinciding with the pre-Eid holiday, a strategic release aimed at maximizing box office returns. Early estimates indicate that the film garnered approximately ₹26 crore on its opening day. This figure positions Sikandar as the eighth-highest opener among Salman Khan’s films, surpassing titles like Kick (₹24.97 crore) and Dabangg 3 (₹22.29 crore), but falling short of Bajrangi Bhaijaan (₹26.67 crore) and Sultan (₹36.54 crore) .Bollywood Hungama+3Koimoi+3Koimoi+3Bollywood Hungama+6Sacnilk+6Hindustan Times+6The Times of India
Despite the substantial opening, the film’s performance is considered underwhelming compared to expectations set by previous Eid releases. For instance, Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava recorded an opening of ₹31 crore, outpacing Sikandar . The film’s overall Hindi occupancy rate on its first day was 21.60%, with morning shows at 13.76% and evening shows peaking at 25% .Bollywood Hungama+8Koimoi+8Hindustan Times+8Bollywood Hungama+7www.ndtv.com+7Indiatimes+7The Indian Express+3The Times of India+3Sacnilk+3
Online Advance Booking Collection
Advance bookings for Sikandar indicated a strong initial interest, with pre-sales figures suggesting a potential opening in the range of ₹25-30 crore net. However, the actual day-one earnings aligned more closely with the lower end of these projections. The film’s advance booking numbers were robust but did not translate into the higher spot bookings that are often seen with Salman Khan’s releases .The Times of India+1Hindustan Times+1Hindustan Times
Factors Influencing Day 1 Collection
Several factors contributed to Sikandar‘s first-day box office performance:
- Mixed Reviews: The film received a spectrum of reviews from critics and audiences. While some praised the action sequences and performances, others criticized the screenplay and pacing. Such mixed feedback may have impacted audience turnout .WikipediaHindustan Times+2The Times of India+2Koimoi+2
- Online Leak: Sikandar fell victim to online piracy shortly after its release, with HD prints surfacing on various websites. This unauthorized distribution likely diverted potential viewers away from theaters, affecting box office numbers .The Indian Express+1www.ndtv.com+1
- Release Timing: Releasing on a Sunday, just before the Eid holiday, was a strategic move. However, the film’s performance on its opening day suggests that the timing may not have fully capitalized on the festive period’s potential for higher audience turnout.The Times of India+1Koimoi+1
Budget and Financial Outlook
Sikandar was produced with an estimated budget of ₹200 crore, making it one of the most expensive Indian films to date . To achieve hit status, the film needs to surpass its production costs and generate substantial profits.Wikipedia+1FilmiBeat+1
Prior to its theatrical release, the film reportedly recovered a significant portion of its budget through the sale of digital, satellite, and music rights, amounting to approximately ₹165 crore . This pre-release revenue alleviates some financial pressure, but the film still requires strong box office performance to be deemed a commercial success.The Indian Express+2FilmiBeat+2mint+2
Box Office Predictions and Future Prospects
Industry analysts have varied projections for Sikandar‘s box office trajectory. Some predict that with positive word-of-mouth, the film could collect ₹40–45 crore on subsequent days, especially during the Eid holiday . Others suggest that the film may struggle to maintain momentum due to competition and mixed reviews.www.ndtv.com+3mint+3The Times of India+3
For Sikandar to be classified as a hit, it must not only recover its production costs but also generate substantial profits. Given the current trajectory and competition from other releases, achieving this benchmark will require sustained audience interest and favorable reviews in the coming weeks.
Conclusion
Sikandar‘s opening day collection reflects a moderate start for a high-profile Salman Khan release. While the film has benefited from significant pre-release revenue streams, its ultimate success will depend on its ability to maintain box office momentum in the face of mixed reviews, online piracy challenges, and competition from other films. The coming days, particularly the performance during the Eid holiday, will be critical in determining whether Sikandar emerges as a box office hit or falls short of expectations.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Sikandar Movie
Q1. What was Sikandar‘s first day box office collection?
A: Sikandar earned approximately ₹26 crore on its opening day. While this is a solid figure, it falls slightly below expectations for a Salman Khan-led Eid release.
Q2. What is the total budget of the Sikandar movie?
A: The estimated production budget for Sikandar is around ₹200 crore, making it one of the most expensive Bollywood films of 2025.
Q3. How much did Sikandar earn from online advance bookings?
A: Online advance booking collections for Sikandar were strong, contributing significantly to its day-one total. The advance sales were estimated between ₹10–12 crore.
Q4. Why was the Day 1 collection of Sikandar considered low?
A: Several factors affected the opening day collection, including:
- Mixed reviews from critics and audiences.
- An untimely online leak of the full movie.
- A Sunday release (instead of Friday), which may have impacted footfalls before the Eid holiday.
Q5. Was Sikandar leaked online?
A: Yes, unfortunately, Sikandar was leaked online shortly after its theatrical release, with HD prints circulating on torrent sites. This likely affected box office footfalls on Day 1.
Q6. Is Sikandar a hit or flop?
A: As of now, it’s too early to declare Sikandar a hit or flop. While the opening was modest, the movie has already recovered a significant part of its budget through satellite, digital, and music rights. Future collections during the Eid holiday will determine its final verdict.
Q7. What are the box office predictions for Sikandar?
A: If positive word-of-mouth kicks in and the Eid period sees high footfall, Sikandar could cross ₹150–180 crore in its lifetime run. However, strong competition and mixed reviews might cap its earnings if momentum doesn’t pick up.
Q8. How does Sikandar compare to other Salman Khan releases?
A: Sikandar‘s opening day collection is decent but lags behind blockbusters like Sultan and Bajrangi Bhaijaan. It performed better than Tubelight and Dabangg 3, but expectations were higher for an Eid release.
Q9. What is the audience review for Sikandar?
A: Audience reactions are mixed. While action sequences and Salman Khan’s performance have been praised, the screenplay and story received criticism from a section of viewers.
Q10. Will Sikandar perform better in the coming days?
A: There’s potential for better performance during the Eid weekend. Word-of-mouth and family holiday viewership could significantly boost collections.
Q11. What was Sikandar‘s first day box office collection?
A: Sikandar earned approximately ₹26 crore on its Day 1. Although this is a good number, it did not meet the high expectations often set for Salman Khan’s Eid releases.
Q12. What is the total budget of the Sikandar movie?
A: The estimated budget of Sikandar is around ₹200 crore, including production and promotional costs.
Q13. How much did Sikandar earn from online advance bookings?
A: The film’s online advance booking collection was strong, estimated at ₹10–12 crore, significantly contributing to the Day 1 total.
Q14. Why was Sikandar’s Day 1 collection considered lower than expected?
A: The relatively low box office on Day 1 was due to:
- Mixed reviews from audiences and critics
- An online leak of the film
- A Sunday release before Eid, which is an unusual strategy
Q15. Was Sikandar leaked online?
A: Yes, shortly after release, Sikandar was leaked on torrent and piracy sites in HD quality. This may have negatively impacted theater attendance on the first day.
Q16. Is Sikandar a hit or flop?
A: It’s too early to say. The film has recovered a good chunk of its budget through digital, satellite, and music rights. The final verdict depends on its performance during the Eid holiday and beyond.
Q17. What are the box office predictions for Sikandar?
A: Industry experts predict that if the film sees a jump in collections over the Eid period, it could earn ₹150–180 crore in India. However, mixed reviews and competition could limit its lifetime total.
Q18. How does Sikandar compare to other Salman Khan movies?
A: In terms of Day 1 collections, Sikandar is mid-tier among Salman’s films. It performed better than Tubelight and Dabangg 3, but didn’t surpass the likes of Sultan, Tiger Zinda Hai, or Bajrangi Bhaijaan.
Q19. What are people saying about Sikandar?
A: Audience response is mixed. While fans enjoyed the action and Salman’s screen presence, many viewers criticized the screenplay and lack of innovation in the story.
Q20. Can Sikandar recover at the box office in the coming days?
A: Yes, it has the potential to recover during the Eid holiday when footfalls usually increase. A positive word-of-mouth push can significantly improve collections.
Q21. What is the summary of Sikandar Movie Day 1 Collection: Budget, Online Leak Impact & Box Office Predictions?
A: The post provides an in-depth analysis of Sikandar’s Day 1 collection, the impact of its high budget, how the online leak affected revenues, and predictions for future earnings based on audience reception.
Q22. What does the Sikandar Box Office Report say about its hit or flop status?
A: The box office report shows a decent but not record-breaking opening. While not a flop yet, the film’s success depends on its performance in the coming week and during Eid.
Q23. What are the highlights of Sikandar Day 1 Earnings Explained?
A: The film’s ₹26 crore Day 1 collection, strong advance bookings, and factors like online leaks and mixed reviews all contribute to a nuanced earnings report.
Q24. What does the Sikandar Movie Review say about its performance and prospects?
A: The review emphasizes good action sequences but notes flaws in storytelling. It discusses the reasons behind the underwhelming first-day response and what the film needs to bounce back.
Q25. What does the Sikandar Box Office Day 1 analysis reveal?
A: It reveals a solid yet slightly disappointing opening for a Salman Khan film, explores the impact of advance booking, budget pressure, online leaks, and projects what’s ahead in terms of box office numbers.
