Advance Booking: A Closer Look
The initial buzz around Sikandar has been tremendous, yet the advance booking details are not living up to the high expectations typically associated with a Salman Khan release. So far, the film has managed to sell around 2 lakh tickets for Day 1, which falls significantly short of the usual 4-5 lakh tickets that Salman Khan films typically sell a day before release.
Key Advance Booking Details:
Language: Hindi
Release Date: 30 March 2025
Total Number of Shows: 17,500 (as of now)
Total Tickets Sold (Advance Booking): 2,00,000
Occupancy (Sample Cinemas): 7-8%
Gross Collection (Advance): ₹6 crore
These numbers, particularly the low occupancy rate in sample cinemas, hint at an opening that could be unexpectedly weak for a Salman Khan film.
Box Office Predictions and Industry Impact
With only 20 hours remaining before the first show, industry experts are watching closely. Based on current advance sales, the film’s opening day collection is expected to hover between ₹15-20 crore net. For a film featuring a superstar like Salman Khan, such numbers would be seen as underwhelming, especially when compared to the standard Sunday openings that often exceed ₹30-35 crore net.
If the advance bookings do not see a significant surge in the final hours, Sikandar could end up with a record-breaking low for a Salman Khan release. Even though last-minute spot bookings for Salman Khan films usually drive up the numbers, the current trend suggests that even these may not be enough to push the collections beyond the ₹30 crore net mark.
Potential Scenarios:
Best-Case Outcome: A late surge in advance bookings could elevate the first day collections to around ₹25-30+ crore net, averting a potential shock in the industry.
Worst-Case Outcome: Continued sluggish sales might result in an opening of ₹15-20 crore net, sending shockwaves across the industry and raising questions about audience sentiment during this festive season.
What Does This Mean for “Sikandar” and Salman Khan’s Legacy?
For decades, Salman Khan’s films have consistently set high benchmarks at the box office, with every release eagerly awaited by millions. The early signs for Sikandar are unusual, and if the trend persists, it could mark a turning point—prompting a re-evaluation of factors such as Salman’s script selection, release timing, audience expectations during festive periods, and overall market dynamics.
Salman Khan’s dedicated fan base and the film’s promotional campaigns are expected to counterbalance the current slow start. There is still ample time before the film’s release for sales to pick up, and many are hopeful that the final day advance bookings will see an upswing.
Final Thoughts
As the clock ticks down to 30 March 2025, the entire industry is abuzz with anticipation—will Sikandar break the mold or follow the emerging trend of a subdued start? Only the final hours of advance sales will tell if this Eid release can live up to the superstar’s legacy or if it will indeed mark one of the most surprising openings for a Bhai film.
Stay tuned for more updates on Salman Khan’s Sikandar and other Bollywood box office news as the Eid festivities kick off!
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