Salman Khan and Rashmika Mandanna’s upcoming film, Sikandar, is slated for an Eid release, a period traditionally known for blockbuster openings in Bollywood. Despite positive responses to its initial promotions, the movie’s advance booking figures are currently underwhelming. According to a report by Sacnilk, as of 10 AM today, Sikandar has garnered advance booking sales of ₹4.05 crore gross (excluding blocked seats), reflecting only a 22% growth over the past 20 hours. Approximately 1.38 lakh tickets have been sold nationwide, with Delhi leading in sales, followed by Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka.
This sluggish pace is unexpected for a Salman Khan starrer, especially when compared to Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava, which had a robust advance booking ahead of its release. Chhaava managed to sell over 2 lakh tickets through advance bookings, grossing around ₹6.04 crore before its theatrical debut on February 14, 2025. The film’s strong pre-release performance translated into a successful opening, setting a high benchmark for subsequent releases.
The current advance booking trend for Sikandar raises concerns about its opening day performance. Historically, Salman Khan’s films have enjoyed massive openings during the Eid festive period. For instance, his previous releases like Bharat and Sultan saw significant advance bookings, leading to impressive first-day collections. The tepid response to Sikandar‘s advance bookings could be attributed to various factors, including market competition, audience preferences, or promotional strategies.
It’s noteworthy that Chhaava‘s success was not just limited to its advance bookings. The film continued to perform well post-release, with reports indicating that it became the first Hindi film to cross 12 million ticket sales on BookMyShow. This achievement underscores the importance of strong pre-release momentum, which Sikandar currently seems to lack.
The disparity between the advance booking figures of Sikandar and Chhaava highlights the unpredictable nature of the box office. While star power and festive releases often contribute to a film’s success, they do not guarantee it. Audience engagement, content quality, and effective marketing play crucial roles in determining a film’s performance.
As Sikandar approaches its release date, there is still a window for improvement in its advance booking numbers. The film’s team might consider intensifying promotional efforts, engaging with audiences through various platforms, and leveraging Salman Khan’s extensive fan base to boost ticket sales.
In conclusion, while Sikandar‘s current advance booking figures are concerning, they are not definitive indicators of its overall box office performance. The film’s reception upon release, word-of-mouth publicity, and critical reviews will ultimately determine its success. Nonetheless, the comparison with Chhaava serves as a reminder of the competitive landscape of Bollywood and the ever-evolving preferences of its audience.
