Sikandar Movie Review & Release Live update: Salman Khan's starrer off to underwhelming start with Rs 26 crore debut

'Sikandar' which marks Bollywood superstar Salman Khan's return to the big screen after Tiger 3, opened in theatres on Sunday, amidst much hype and anticipation. However, sadly for the film, prints of the action flick were available for download on various piracy handles.

Just hours before AR Murugadoss’ directorial venture hit theatres on March 30, a high-definition (HD) version of the film surfaced on social media platform X, prompting swift action from the makers, fan clubs, and Mumbai Police’s cyber cell department. In a coordinated effort, Sajid Nadiadwala’s production house, Salman Khan’s dedicated fan clubs, and law enforcement authorities managed to pull down over 3,000 links hosting the pirated version.

Popular film trade analyst Komal Nahta who was among the first to learn about the piracy said he had initially discovered the leak, but refrained from posting about it on social media right away, since he wanted to be a "hundred per cent sure."

"Last night when I was in the trade, I discovered the film had already been leaked. But I didn't tweet about it right away because I wanted to be 100 per cent sure. Sometimes only a few scenes are leaked, and if you call it a full leak, it can cause unnecessary panic," Nahta told ANI.

"This morning, I spoke to seven or eight people in the trade, and they confirmed that the film had been leaked. I was also told that Sajid Nadiadwala and the authorized team worked hard to remove the film from many piracy websites. But by then, the damage was already done. It spreads very fast," the analyst said

Nahta also added how piracy can severely affect a film's Box Office performance, especially when it happens just around the time of its release.

"Kya hota hai na kabhi kabhi ek hafte baad, do hafte baad film pirated hoti hai aur piracy wali copy aapke paas aa jaati hai. Ye toh release se pehle aur release ke din toh definitely...." Nahta said.

"Free mein agar aapke phone mein Salman Khan ki film jo release ho rahi hai, usi din aapke mobile mein free mein aa gayi hai, toh kyun aap cinema hall jaayenge?" he added.

While the film's opening performance fell slightly below industry expectations, it still secured its place as the eighth-highest opening for a Salman Khan starrer.
In comparison to the superstar's previous releases, Sikandar fell just short of Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015), which earned Rs 26.67 crore on its opening day. It did, however, surpass Kick (2014) with Rs 24.97 crore and Dabangg 3 (2019), which debuted at Rs 22.29 crore. Given that the film was released on a Sunday and was followed by the Eid holiday, the opening figures are considered underwhelming.

Salman Khan's much-anticipated action thriller Sikandar made its debut at the domestic box office with an estimated Rs 26 crore collection on its first day.

While the film's opening performance fell slightly below industry expectations, it still secured its place as the eighth-highest opening for a Salman Khan starrer. Releasing on Sunday, a day before the Eid holiday, Sikandar recorded an overall Hindi occupancy rate of 21.60% on March 30. Morning shows saw a slow start with 13.76% occupancy, while evening screenings picked up to 25%. However, a minor dip was observed during night shows, settling at 23.55% occupancy.

Despite decent pre-sales figures, the film was expected to see strong spot bookings due to Khan's massive fan following and its appeal as a mass entertainer. However, mixed audience reception hindered its box office potential.

Salman Khan’s much-awaited Eid release, Sikandar, has been making waves since its debut, drawing massive crowds to theatres. While fans celebrated the film’s arrival with enthusiasm, the AR Murugadoss directorial encountered an unexpected hurdle—online piracy.

Within hours of hitting the big screen, reports surfaced that Sikandar had been leaked online across multiple platforms. Allegedly, the film was illegally distributed on over 600 websites, raising concerns within the film industry.

Trade analyst Komal Nahta addressed the issue, stating, "I came across reports about the film’s leak late last night. Before confirming, I wanted to verify whether it was a complete leak or just certain scenes. Spreading premature information can create unnecessary panic."

The incident has sparked discussions about the ongoing battle against piracy and its impact on the film industry. Despite the setback, Sikandar continues to enjoy a strong theatrical presence, with Salman Khan’s star power drawing audiences in large numbers.

Rashmika Mandanna is on cloud nine as her latest film 'Sikandar', co-starring Salman Khan, has received an overwhelming response from audiences. The film, which released today, has already created a buzz at the box office. Amid the celebrations, Rashmika was spotted at a Mumbai restaurant, but what truly caught everyone’s attention was the presence of her rumored boyfriend, Vijay Deverakonda. The duo's lunch outing has once again fueled dating speculations, leaving fans intrigued about their relationship status.

Salman Khan’s massive fan base is celebrating the release of his highly anticipated action film Sikandar, which has been creating a buzz across social media. With its release coinciding with Eid and Gudi Padwa, excitement is at an all-time high, and fans are going all out to watch their favorite star on the big screen.One devoted fan took his admiration for Salman to another level by purchasing movie tickets worth a whopping ₹1.72 lakh.

A viral video shows him enthusiastically distributing the high-priced tickets to others, further fueling the film’s hype.Addressing speculation that Salman or his team had sponsored the gesture, the fan clarified that it was purely his own initiative. He also revealed that he has organized similar ticket distributions in other cities in the past, proving his unwavering dedication to the superstar.

Salman Khan’s much-awaited film 'Sikandar' has finally hit theatres, but the superstar’s commitment to the film went beyond just acting. Despite suffering from broken ribs, Salman continued to shoot, even dancing to the 'Sikandar' song with immense determination.

In a recent interview with Live Mint, Salman’s fitness trainer, Rakkesh R Uddiyar, shared an update on the actor’s recovery. “He is recovering. He is doing his cardio and physiotherapy. We are maintaining weight training but not going intense. Our first priority is recovery.”

This isn’t the first time Salman has sustained injuries while filming. Rakkesh revealed, "Salman had broken his ribs before during 'Sultan'. His ankle twisted, causing a hairline fracture in his ribs. So, this has been ongoing.”

During a conversation on Salman Khan’s YouTube channel, Aamir Khan asked if filming ‘Sikandar’ was challenging. Director A.R. Murugadoss explained that they shot at real railway stations, working from night to day while managing security concerns. Large crowds gathered on buildings to watch the shoot, making safety a priority. Salman shared that due to real outdoor locations, they needed heavy security and had to be extra careful. Meanwhile, Salman received multiple death threats during filming.

In November last year, Mumbai Police got a message, allegedly from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, demanding that Salman apologise or pay Rs 5 crore for his safety.

While ‘Sikandar’ promises high-octane action, director AR Murugadoss emphasizes its emotional depth. In a chat with Etimes, he said, "Yeah, definitely. This is not only a mass film; it has very strong family emotions," he says. Unlike ‘Ghajini,’ which centered on a boyfriend-girlfriend love story, ‘Sikandar’ delves into the complexities of a husband-wife relationship.

Murugadoss explained, "It explores how families function today, how couples treat each other, and what we might be missing in our relationships. That will be a highlight of the film." He draws a comparison to ‘Ghajini,’ which was perceived as a psychological thriller but had an unexpected emotional core. "Though 'Ghajini' seemed to be a physco thriller to the audience, the love story of Aamir and Asin was the surprise element. Similarly, here there's an element of love which will move the audience."

After delivering the blockbuster ‘Ghajini’, director AR Murugadoss shifted his focus back to Tamil cinema. Speaking about his long absence from Bollywood, he said, "After 'Ghajini', I went back to Chennai and got deeply involved in Tamil cinema."

He later attempted a Bollywood comeback with Salman Khan, but timing was an issue. He told Etimes, "When I came back, Salman sir was busy with another project, I think with Karan Johar's 'The Bull'." However, things changed when producer Sajid Nadiadwala showed interest in his script.

Murugadoss recalled, "I was at the airport, ready to board my flight, and Sajid sir called me back, saying Salman sir wanted to hear the story immediately." With Salman eager to start shooting, Murugadoss rearranged his schedule, getting approval from Sivakarthikeyan and his Tamil producers.

Director AR Murugadoss explains why Salman Khan was his first choice for ‘Sikandar’. He told Etimes, "The story required a larger-than-life, fan-favorite superstar, and Salman sir fits the role perfectly. His persona and presence bring weight to the character and the narrative." According to Murugadoss, Salman’s star power aligns seamlessly with the film’s vision. "Once you see the film, you’ll understand why he was the ideal choice.

Responding to discussions about his 31-year age difference with Rashmika Mandanna, Salman Khan humorously remarked, “She will get married, have kids,” brushing off any controversy with his signature wit. Salman said, “People say there is a 31-year age gap between me and the heroine. When the heroine and her father don't have a problem, then why do you have a problem?”

Ahead of 'Sikandar's release, Aamir Khan sat down with Salman Khan and director A.R. Murugadoss for a special 17-minute promotional conversation. Veteran writer and Salman's father, Salim Khan, also joined the conversation. Aamir, as the host, asked him for his thoughts on 'Sikandar'. Praising the film’s gripping narrative, Salim Khan remarked, "The best part about Sikandar was the ek-ek scene ke baad, you will feel ki 'aage kya hoga?' 'Ab kya karenge?' If we could manage to hold the audience's interest to know what will happen next, then it is a win-win situation."

Salman Khan compared Rashmika Mandanna’s commitment to his younger self, highlighting her passion for work and relentless dedication to delivering a top-notch performance in Sikandar. Khan praised while, "I've seen her working. She was shooting for Pushpa 2, and it was just going to release in a week, week-and-a-half. And they were still shooting for a song for the climax of Pushpa 2. And obviously she had to be there. And then she was shooting with us for that song Zohra Jabeen."

Addressing box office expectations, Salman Khan confidently stated that whether Sikandar is good or bad, it will cross Rs 100 crore, underlining his star power and unwavering fanbase. Bollywood's Bhaijaan playfully said, "Eid, Diwali, New Year, festive, non-festive, it’s the love of the people and picture achi ho ya buri ho, wo sau [Rs 100 crore] toh paar kara hi dete hain (laughs)." Salman corrected himself and said Rs 200 crore, “Rs 100 crore bohot pehle ki baat hain (Rs 100 crore is a thing of the past)."

Director AR Murugadoss revealed that Salman Khan’s mass appeal and larger-than-life presence made him the perfect choice for Sikandar, a film designed to be a grand entertainer.

To enhance the film’s pace, the makers have shortened Sikandar by 14.28 minutes. A sequence featuring Salman Khan singing Ajeeb Dastaan Hai Yeh was cut by 11 seconds.

Despite strict anti-piracy laws and continuous crackdowns, illegal streaming remains a major challenge for Bollywood. In Sikandar’s case, the leak likely came from camcorder recordings in theatres, which were quickly enhanced into HD versions and uploaded online within hours.

Fans have declared Salman Khan and Rashmika Mandanna’s film a “paisa vasool” entertainer and a “blockbuster” ride.

An overseas fan review hinted at a major surprise in the film without revealing any spoilers, adding to the excitement.

Social media is abuzz with praise for Sikandar, lauding its action-packed sequences, Salman’s powerful screen presence, and mass appeal.

A testament to his dedication, Salman Khan filmed a dance sequence for Sikandar just a day after suffering a rib injury. He powered through despite immense pain, unable to sit, stand, cough, or laugh comfortably.

With a powerful star cast, gripping action, and mass appeal, Sikandar has the potential to redefine Eid releases. The film’s performance in the first weekend will determine whether it surpasses previous Salman Khan blockbusters.

Fans on X have expressed concerns that Salman Khan and Rashmika Mandanna’s film has already leaked on piracy websites.

Industry experts predict that Sikandar will open to at least ₹35 crore, given Salman Khan’s history of blockbuster Eid releases. His past hits like Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Sultan, and Tiger Zinda Hai set high benchmarks, and Sikandar is expected to follow suit.

A die-hard Salman Khan fan made headlines by purchasing Sikandar tickets worth Rs 1.72 lakh ahead of the film’s release. He clarified that the purchase was self-funded, rejecting rumors of sponsorship from Salman.

Popular Mumbai theatre Gaiety-Galaxy has raised ticket prices for Sikandar due to high demand. Owner Manoj Desai confirmed that the move was necessary given the overwhelming response from Salman Khan’s loyal fanbase.

Salman Khan’s Sikandar has already garnered over Rs 12.53 crore in advance ticket sales. The pre-release buzz suggests a strong opening, with fans rushing to secure their seats for the grand Eid premiere.

Salman Khan’s Sikandar has already surpassed the advance booking numbers of his previous Eid release, Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan. The high pre-sales figures indicate strong anticipation among fans.

Trade experts predict Sikandar to open with at least Rs 35 crore as Salman Khan returns to theaters on Eid. His past Eid releases have delivered massive box office numbers, reinforcing expectations for a strong start. The film’s advance bookings and fan anticipation indicate a promising performance at the box office.