Salman Khan’s action thriller Sikandar, directed by A.R. Murugadoss, stormed into theatres on March 30, 2025, just in time for the Eid-ul-Fitr holiday on March 31, 2025. After raking in approximately ₹30.06 crore India net on its opening day, all eyes were on the Sikandar 2nd day collection to see if it could capitalize on Salman’s legendary Eid box office pull.
Early estimates suggest the film earned between ₹14.56 crore and ₹20.62 crore India net on its second day, buoyed by the festive holiday but falling short of the sky-high expectations set for this action-packed extravaganza.
Box Office Breakdown: Day 2 Numbers
According to industry tracker Sacnilk, by Monday evening (around 7 PM IST on March 31, 2025), Sikandar had collected an estimated ₹20.62 crore net for the day, pushing its two-day India net total to ₹50.68 crore. Earlier reports during the day pegged the figure lower at ₹8.51 crore, with projections of a late surge as evening and night shows benefited from the Eid holiday crowd.
Meanwhile, a Times of India report from Monday afternoon estimated the day’s haul at ₹14.56 crore, bringing the two-day total to ₹44.62 crore, with potential for an upward revision once final tallies are confirmed.
The film’s occupancy rates tell a broader story. Hindi showings saw a modest rise from 8.38% in the morning to 26.70% in the afternoon, settling at an overall daily average of 17.54%. While the Eid holiday typically turbocharges Salman Khan’s releases, Sikandar experienced only a moderate bump rather than the explosive growth fans and analysts anticipated.
Why the Muted Response?
Historically, Salman Khan’s Eid releases—like Tiger 3 (₹44.5 crore opening in 2023) or Bharat—have shattered records, but Sikandar seems to be lagging behind. Several factors could be at play. An onslaught of negative reviews from critics has dampened enthusiasm, while an online leak of the film shortly after its release may have siphoned off potential theatregoers.
Additionally, competition from other releases, such as the much-hyped L2: Empuraan, might have split the audience. Globally, Sikandar reportedly crossed ₹50 crore on its opening day, though second-day worldwide figures are still awaited.
Comparison to Expectations and Past Performances
For context, Salman’s 2025 competitor Chhaava opened to ₹31 crore earlier this year, while Tiger 3 debuted with ₹44.5 crore on a non-holiday. Given Sikandar’s Eid advantage, its Day 2 range of ₹14.56 crore to ₹20.62 crore feels underwhelming.
The film’s two-day India net total—hovering between ₹44.62 crore and ₹50.68 crore—suggests a solid but not sensational start, especially considering its high-octane action premise and the Salman-Rashmika Mandanna pairing.
What Lies Ahead?
The real challenge for Sikandar begins now. With the holiday boost behind it, the film’s performance on weekdays will hinge on public word of mouth, which appears lukewarm so far. Despite its star power and festive release, Sikandar has underperformed relative to expectations, and the coming days will determine whether it can recover its momentum or fade under the weight of negative reviews and stiff competition.
As it stands, this action thriller faces an uphill battle to cement its place as a box office juggernaut.