With Sikandar 2025 and Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan’s Dud Openings, Has the Salman Khan-Eid Combo Lost Its Magic?
Sikandar: Salman Khan and Eid releases have long been synonymous with blockbuster openings and record-breaking collections. From Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015) to Sultan (2016) and Tiger Zinda Hai (2017), Salman Khan’s Eid releases have consistently dominated the box office. However, recent performances of Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan (2023) and Sikandar (2025) suggest that the superstar’s Eid magic might be fading.
Has the Salman-Eid formula lost its charm? Or is it just a case of weaker content and changing audience preferences? Let’s dive into the numbers and trends.
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Salman Khan’s Sikandar Opened at ₹54 Crore Worldwide on Sunday, Half of What SRK’s Jawan Earned in 2023
Salman Khan’s latest film, Sikandar, released on Eid 2025, managed to earn ₹54 crore worldwide on its opening day. While this might seem like a decent figure, it is significantly lower than the ₹129 crore opening that Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan earned globally in 2023.
Comparing Opening Day Collections:
| Film | Opening Day Collection (Worldwide) | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Jawan (SRK) | ₹129 crore | 2023 |
| Pathaan (SRK) | ₹106 crore | 2023 |
| Tiger 3 (Salman) | ₹94 crore | 2023 |
| Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan (Salman) | ₹15 crore | 2023 |
| Sikandar (Salman) | ₹54 crore | 2025 |
| Chhaava (Vicky Kaushal) | ₹50 crore | 2025 |
The fact that Sikandar opened at par with Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava—a film starring a non-Khan actor—raises questions about Salman’s pull at the box office.
Salman and Eid Love Affair Over?
For over a decade, Eid has been Salman Khan’s festival at the box office. The trend started with Wanted (2009) and continued with massive hits like Dabangg, Ek Tha Tiger, and Kick. However, the last few Eid releases have struggled:
- Radhe (2021) had a digital release due to COVID-19 but was poorly received.
- Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan (2023) opened weak and wrapped up below ₹150 crore in lifetime earnings.
- Sikandar (2025) failed to match even Salman’s previous Tiger 3 opening numbers.
Possible Reasons for the Decline:
- Changing Audience Preferences: Viewers now expect strong content rather than just star power.
- Rise of OTT & Social Media: Poor reviews spread quickly, affecting footfalls.
- Competition from Other Stars: SRK and other actors have taken over the festive box office.
- Weaker Storytelling: Unlike Bajrangi Bhaijaan or Sultan, recent films lacked emotional depth and novelty.
While Salman Khan remains a major star, the era of effortless Eid dominance seems to be coming to an end. Will he reinvent himself, or is this the beginning of a new box office order? Only time will tell.
