‘Nothing less than Rs 35 crore as opening number,’ expects the trade as Salman Khan returns to screens on Eid; analysing the past hits of the star! – EXCLUSIVE | Hindi Movie News

Salman Khan has a history of hit movies coming on Eid and infact it’s a gift for all his fans to see his film on Eid. The star is back with ‘Sikandar‘ this Eid. The film is set to release on Sunday, March 30 and while fans wait for the movie, ETimes speaks to trade experts about their expectations from the movie. Meanwhile, we also have them talking about Khan’s biggest hits in the past and how ‘Sikandar’ can hold up in comparison to that.

Sikandar and Salman’s history of biggest openers

The film directed by AR Murugadoss is releasing in 16,787 screens. Thus, with such a wide release and a two-day holiday – Sunday and Monday because of Eid, the film is expected to have a huge opening. On day 1, a number above Rs 35 crore is the least expected from the movie. Trade expert Taran Adarsh says, “The biggest opener so far is Tiger 3, in Diwali 2023, it collected Rs 43 crores on day one, which was also a Sunday release. Then there was Bharat in 2019, it came and collected Rs 42.30 crores. The third one was Prem Ratan Dhanpayo in 2015, collected Rs 40.35 crore in Diwali. Number four is Sultan, which came in 2016 Eid, collected Rs 36.54 crores. And the number five is Tiger Zinda Hai, which came in 2017 Christmas, it made Rs 34.10 crores. Now, this is a benchmark, this is I’m comparing Salman with Salman. Let’s see where Sikandar opens. Having said that, I think Salman and Eid are synonymous and one looks forward to how Sikandar would open tomorrow, irrespective of whatever the advance booking is. I think Salman can’t grab a lot of attention with spot booking.”
Exhibitor Akkshay Rathie says, “Eid and Salman Khan are almost synonymous to box office bonanza, more often than not when they’ve come together. It’s been a delight for moviegoers all over the country. Especially for the masses, in tier 2, tier 3 cities. Heres not only you have Salman Khan but Sajid Nadiadwala who is a producer who bounces movies well. This is a recipe for box office success but after the opening weekend, the content will take the lead.”

Manoj Desai, executive director G7 multiplex (Gaeity Galaxy) and Maratha Mandir Cinemas, says, “The advance bookings of the movie are good and Salman Khan movies in single screens are always expected to do good. But we will get a clear idea by Sunday evening.”
Rathi picks ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ as one of the most profitable movies of Salman and says, “I think Bajrang Bhaijaan was among the most profitable films that he’s been a part of and he’s also produced. Along with that, the first Dabangg was insanely profitable because it was made at a very controlled tight budget and it did humongous numbers. But I would still say ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ because it released a week before ‘Baahubali’ and in the middle of Ramzan.”

Tiger 3 also released on Sunday

Sikandar is not Salman’s first movie to release on Sunday. One also saw ‘Tiger 3’ releasing on Sunday and it was Diwali. Adarsh says, “Tiger3 also released on a Sunday and it made Rs 43 crores so let’s hope that ‘Sikandar’ releasing on Eid crosses that number.” Tiger 3 was a franchise movie and that also worked in its favour. Moreover, another USP of the movie was that it was a reunion of the hit pair of Salman and Katrina on the big screen. Not to mention, ‘Tiger 3’ promised a cameo from Shah Rukh Khan after the reunion of the two Khans in ‘Pathaan’, so that also was a big attracting factor.

Rs 35 crore opening is the least expected!

Regarding the opening number expectations from the film, Taran Adarsh says, “For Salman, 100 crores, 200 crores is not important. His contemporaries, Shah Rukh has given Rs 500 with Pathan and Jawan. Ranbir Kapoor, a junior actor has given Rs 500 with ‘Animal’. Sunny Deol, his colleague has given 500 with ‘Gadar 2’. ‘Stree 2’ you would say is a brand. Vicky Kaushal, a much junior has given Rs 500 crore with ‘Chhaava‘. So, Salman has to be there only. Everything eventually boils down to content.”
Akkshay says, “Regarding the expectations from ‘Sikandar’, it’s a wide release and we are expecting nothing short of Rs 30-35 crores on the opening day.

Ticket prices increased

The ticket prices for the movie have been increased, not just in multiplexes but even the single screens. Desai confirmed with ETimes, “We had to increase the price to Rs 180-Rs 200. Usually, that price doesn’t suit us. But everywhere the price has increased for the film. It’s a different story that for Salman Khan and ‘Sikandar’, people will pay any price to watch the film in theatres. But even given a choice, I would not increase the ticket price. Because this price does not work in single screens like Gaeity Galaxy.”