Salman Khan’s action drama Sikandar saw a noticeable dip in collections on its ninth day (April 7, 2025), earning approximately ₹1.75 crore. This brings the film’s total domestic box office haul to around ₹104.25 crore.
After a roaring start at the box office, Salman Khan’s Sikandar has entered a crucial phase in its theatrical journey. On its ninth day of release, the film collected an estimated ₹1.75 crore at the domestic box office, bringing its total India nett collection to approximately ₹104.25 crore. While crossing the ₹100 crore milestone within nine days is commendable, the sharp dip in collections marks a noticeable shift in the film’s momentum.
Sikandar was released with high expectations on March 30, 2025, strategically timed around the Eid holiday—an occasion often associated with successful Salman Khan blockbusters. True to form, the film delivered a thunderous opening, raking in ₹26 crore on Day 1 and surging to ₹29 crore on Day 2, benefitting immensely from festive footfalls. The extended weekend proved fruitful, and the film comfortably crossed ₹75 crore within its first four days.
The action-packed drama, laced with Salman Khan’s signature charisma, fast-paced sequences, and mass-appeal dialogue, was initially met with a strong turnout from both urban centers and single-screen audiences. The film’s appeal among family audiences and loyal Salman fans contributed to robust numbers in its first week. However, as the initial buzz started to settle, the film began facing the typical weekday slowdown.
The second weekend was pivotal in determining the film’s staying power. Although Sikandar managed to hold a decent grip through Days 7 and 8, the collections on Day 9—clocking in at ₹1.75 crore—revealed a significant decline. Compared to its eighth-day earnings, this reflects a sharp drop of over 62%, a concerning signal for any film aiming for long-term box office success.
This steep fall on the second Monday suggests that Sikandar is beginning to feel the heat from both internal and external factors. On one hand, word-of-mouth buzz has been mixed; while some viewers appreciated the film’s larger-than-life action and emotional undercurrent, others criticized its predictable storyline and lack of innovation. On the other hand, the release of new films and the natural fatigue that sets in post-festival viewing have started to chip away at Sikandar’s hold on the box office.
From a trade perspective, the drop in collections raises questions about the film’s lifetime prospects. With a production budget reportedly hovering around ₹150 crore, including print and publicity, the film still has ground to cover in order to be deemed a solid commercial success. International collections and satellite/digital rights sales will certainly play a role in its overall profitability, but theatrically, the next few days will be critical.
Looking ahead, all eyes are on how Sikandar performs during its second weekend. A strong bounce-back on Saturday and Sunday could revive its momentum, helping it target a final tally in the ₹125–135 crore range. However, if the current trend continues, the film may wrap up closer to the ₹115 crore mark, falling short of expectations for a typical Salman Khan Eid release.
Despite the slowdown, Sikandar remains one of the more successful Bollywood outings in recent months, especially considering the lukewarm performance of several big-ticket films in the first quarter of 2025. Whether it can retain audience interest in the coming week will ultimately determine if Sikandar concludes its box office journey as a hit or settles as an average performer.
Sikandar (2025) – An In-Depth Look at the Cast, Characters & Creative Minds Behind the Action Drama
Helmed by visionary filmmaker A.R. Murugadoss, Sikandar aimed to be one of the most ambitious Hindi action dramas of 2025. Combining intense action sequences, a socially relevant storyline, and a leading man known for his mass appeal, the film brought together a powerhouse cast with a compelling narrative. Though the film received a mixed response from audiences and critics, the performances, scale, and cinematic vision have kept Sikandar in conversations long after its release.
Let’s explore the cast in detail, along with their characters, contributions, and the creative forces that shaped the film.
Lead Cast & Principal Characters
Salman Khan as Sikandar
At the heart of the film is Salman Khan, portraying the titular role of Sikandar — a stoic vigilante driven by loss, injustice, and a hunger for retribution. This character is far more introspective than Khan’s usual larger-than-life roles, presenting a man who operates outside the law yet remains deeply moral at his core. With quiet intensity and powerful screen presence, Salman’s portrayal adds emotional depth to the action-packed script. His transformation from a troubled man into a symbol of rebellion forms the backbone of the narrative.
Rashmika Mandanna as Aarohi Mehta
Marking her first major Bollywood outing opposite Salman Khan, Rashmika Mandanna plays Aarohi Mehta, an investigative journalist known for her fearless reporting and ethical compass. Her character becomes both an ally and a challenger to Sikandar, pushing him to reflect on the consequences of his actions. Aarohi’s arc is one of the strongest in the film, as she moves from observing corruption to being entrenched in its deadly web. Rashmika’s performance is both elegant and assertive, bringing freshness and balance to the otherwise testosterone-fueled film.
Key Supporting Cast
Prakash Raj as Narayan Shastri
The formidable Prakash Raj portrays Narayan Shastri, a cunning and corrupt politician who manipulates law enforcement and the judicial system to serve his selfish interests. As the primary antagonist, Shastri is a terrifyingly believable villain — not one who wields guns, but one who controls through fear, money, and political power. Prakash’s commanding dialogue delivery and subtle menace elevate the stakes of the film.
Jackie Shroff as DCP Veer Chauhan (Retd.)
Veteran actor Jackie Shroff steps into the role of DCP Veer Chauhan, a retired senior police officer who once mentored Sikandar in his formative years. Chauhan’s character adds emotional gravitas to the film — a man who believes in the system, yet understands its limitations. His scenes with Salman Khan offer some of the film’s most poignant and reflective moments.
Jisshu Sengupta as ACP Arvind Rathore
Bengali actor Jisshu Sengupta shines in the role of ACP Rathore, a no-nonsense officer torn between his duty and political pressure. Rathore is intelligent, morally conflicted, and integral to the film’s central conflict. His unpredictable stance keeps the audience guessing about where his true allegiance lies.
Sharib Hashmi as Kallu
In a lighter, more emotionally connective role, Sharib Hashmi plays Kallu, a quirky but brilliant hacker who aids Sikandar in executing his plans. He’s the voice of reason and comic relief, providing much-needed levity to the film’s darker tone. Sharib’s natural charm and impeccable timing make Kallu a fan-favorite sidekick.
The Creative Team
Director: A.R. Murugadoss
Known for his work on impactful action-dramas like Ghajini and Holiday, Murugadoss infuses Sikandar with both scale and substance. His direction balances mass appeal with moments of philosophical depth, especially through themes of justice, reformation, and civil responsibility.Producer: Sajid Nadiadwala
Under the banner of Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment, the film was envisioned as a pan-India blockbuster. With high-end production design, large-scale action choreography, and a sweeping marketing campaign, Nadiadwala left no stone unturned in building the film’s scale.Music Composer: Devi Sri Prasad (DSP)
The soundtrack, composed by DSP, aimed to strike a balance between energetic, adrenaline-fueled tracks and slower, emotional ballads. While the music received mixed reviews, it played a key role in amplifying the emotional beats of the film.
Behind the Scenes: Production Notes
The shoot was carried out under heightened security due to real-life threats made against Salman Khan during filming. Director Murugadoss stated that every day began with security clearance protocols, which sometimes delayed production by hours.
The film was shot across various Indian cities, with key sequences filmed in Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Delhi.
Rashmika Mandanna underwent intense workshops to prepare for the role of an investigative journalist, including time spent in actual newsroom settings.
Action scenes were choreographed by an international team and shot using high-speed cameras and drone technology for maximum cinematic impact.
