Salman Khanoften regarded as Bollywood’s biggest box office magnet, is set to return with Sikandar on Eid 2025. Given his track record of massive opening-day collections, expectations are sky-high for this film. It marks first collaboration with acclaimed director AR Murugadoss known for films like Ghajini and Holiday- A soldier is never off duty. . The question on everyone’s mind is will Sikandar surpass Salman’s previous highest openers and redefine box office records for the superstar?
A Look at Salman Khan’s Highest Opening Films
Salman Khan has dominated holiday season box office for over a decade, with films consistently raking in massive numbers on day one. Let’s take a look at his top five highest openers:
Tiger 3 (2023) – Rs 43 Crore
The third installment in the Tiger franchise, Tiger 3 saw Salman Khan reprise his role as RAW agent Avinash Singh Rathore. Released on Diwali, the film benefitted from the festive holiday and high expectations following Pathaan and Jawan. The action-packed spectacle opened to ₹43 crore, marking Salman’s biggest opening ever.
Bharat (2019) – Rs 42.30 Crore
Ali Abbas Zafar’s Bharatreleased on Eid, showcased Salman Khan in multiple avatars spanning decades. The film, co-starring Katrina Kaifwas inspired by the Korean movie Ode to My Father. With its patriotic theme and family appeal, Bharat scored an impressive ₹42.30 crore on its opening day, driven by strong holiday footfalls.
Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015) – RS 40.35 Croreer
Salman reunited with Sooraj Barjatya for this grand family drama, which brought back his charming, larger-than-life persona. Released on Diwali, Prem Ratan Dhan Payo cashed in on nostalgia and Salman’s dual role, leading to a phenomenal ₹40.35 crore opening. The film’s opulent sets, traditional themes, and melodious songs added to its appeal.
Sultan (2016) – Rs 36.54 Crore
Featuring Salman Khan as a wrestler, Sultan blended sports drama with commercial cinema. Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, the film portrayed Salman’s transformation into a wrestler and his emotional journey. Released on Eid, Sultan saw a ₹36.54 crore opening, fueled by Salman’s dedicated fan base and strong word of mouth.
Tiger Zinda Hai (2017) – Rs 34.10 Crore
A sequel to Ek tha tiger, Tiger Zinda Hai saw Salman return as the iconic spy alongside Katrina Kaif. Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, the film delivered high-octane action sequences and international espionage thrills. Released on Christmas weekend, it opened to ₹34.10 crore, reaffirming Salman’s holiday dominance.
Each of these films was released on a festive occasion, with Salman’s unparalleled mass appeal driving audiences to theaters in record numbers. Tiger 3, despite a post-pandemic era and a mixed reception, managed to claim the top spot, which speaks volumes about his box office pull.
The Hype Around Sikandar
Several factors contribute to the anticipation surrounding Sikandar:
- Collaboration with AR Murugadoss: The director, known for delivering high-impact action films like Ghajini and Holiday, is expected to present Salman in a never-seen-before avatar.
- Eid Release Advantage: Historically, Salman’s Eid releases have been box office juggernauts. With Sikandar being positioned as his big Eid comeback after Tiger 3, fans and trade insiders are expecting fireworks.
- Fresh Pairing & Supporting Cast: Reports suggest a fresh pairing of Salman and
Rashmika mandanna along with an ensemble cast that could add to the film’s appeal. - High-Octane Action & Emotion: The film is rumored to be a high-voltage action entertainer with a strong emotional core, a formula that has worked wonders for Salman in the past.
- Pan-India Release: With the trend of Bollywood films catering to a nationwide audience, Sikandar is expected to be marketed aggressively in multiple languages, thereby boosting its opening numbers.
Can Sikandar Break Tiger 3’s Opening Record?
Tiger 3 set a new benchmark for Salman Khan with a Rs 43 crore opening, but Sikandar though having potential – the advance booking for the film is not too strong. It has just crossed Rs 13.53 crore in advance sales, of which over Rs 7 crore has come through the way of block booking. The film is releasing on a Sunday and the next day being Eid- this would see a massive spike on the second day- thus the film might have a huge first week collection but the opening day might suffer as a huge section of film lovers would not be able to see the film because of religion reasons.
Challenges & Competition
Despite the positive outlook, Sikandar will have to navigate certain challenges:
- Audience Sentiment & Word-of-Mouth: In the post-pandemic era, audiences have become selective. Even big stars have seen unpredictable openings if content fails to connect.
- Box Office Trends: While Salman has delivered blockbusters, recent films like Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan underperformed, making content the king.
Final Verdict: Will Sikandar Set a New Benchmark?
Given the current momentum, Sikandar has a strong chance of emerging as Salman Khan’s biggest opener. If the film delivers on content, action, and emotional depth while benefiting from the Eid holiday, it could very well surpass Tiger 3’s Rs 43 crore opening and set a new benchmark in Salman’s career.
