The release of Salman Khan’s Eid release Sikandar is just a few days away. Bollywood Hungama spoke to trade experts and exhibitors about their expectations from this grand Eid release.
While Sikandar arrives in cinemas on March 30, the trailer dropped just a week before, on March 23. The experts first shared their views on the promo. Trade veteran Taran Adarsh said, “I liked the trailer. The good thing is that Salman Khan has stepped out of his comfort zone of directors like Farhad Samji. Today, we see a very different Salman Khan that too in a film which is produced by one of the leading producers, Sajid Nadiadwala and directed by a very talented storyteller, A R Murugadoss. Moreover, it co-stars one of the luckiest names in the business, Rashmika Mandanna. Hence, everything is going right prior to the release. It now all boils down to the content.”
Distributor and exhibitor Raj Bansal stated, “The trailer is very commercial. I have a lot of hope from the director. He’s a very big plus point. The music didn’t support the film as expected. But the film will fetch a good opening. Then, it will all depend on the content.” He added, “Rashmika’s luck will play a major role in this film as well.”
Vishek Chauhan, owner of Roopbani Cinema in Purnia, Bihar, also said, “The director and producers are credible. The actress is on a winning streak. Hence, everything is working for the film.”
Trade analyst Atul Mohan agreed saying, “Our industry anyway believes in superstitions. Now, Rashmika Mandanna has got the term of lucky mascot. People believe that whichever film she is a part of becomes a blockbuster. We hope that the success streak continues with Sikandar as well.”
He also said, “The trailer is great. It looks like a complete entertainer, replete with action and mass moments.”
Day 1 predictions
The trade experts seem very confident of the film’s opening. Salman Khan’s 2023 Eid film Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan had a low opening of Rs. 15.81 crores. The trade is confident that Sikandar can earn double of this number. Atul Mohan said, “Both days, the film will collect Rs. 40-45 crores plus. If the word of mouth is strong, then Monday will be bigger than Sunday.”
Raj Bansal also predicted along the same lines saying, “The film can collect Rs. 40-45 crores each day. Then, the content will determine the collections from Tuesday.”
Vishek Chauhan, meanwhile, said, “Since it’s a day before Eid, I am expecting the first day collections to be Rs. 25-30 crores. The second day should see a good spike when the film can collect Rs. 40-50 crores.”
Sikandar releases on Sunday, March 30, that is, a day before Eid, which falls on Monday, March 31. Yet, Raj Bansal believes that even Sunday can put up a huge number, “Non-Muslims, who are Salman fans, and youth, will go watch the film on the release day. We also need to understand that there has been no major biggie since the release of Chhaava which was released 1 ½ months ago. A section of moviegoers didn’t watch Chhaava and those who did, many of them were left very disturbed by the climax. A lot of moviegoers told me, ‘My wife kept her hands on her eyes; my kids got very scared’. Of course, the film did fantastic business. But this will go in favour of Sikandar.”
Taran Adarsh explained, “With the film releasing on a Sunday and Monday being a holiday, Sikandar will have an extended window to reap the harvest, provided the content delivers. The first day will all be about the star power while the second day is when the content will speak up.”
He added, “Tiger 3 (2023), Salman Khan’s last release, had collected nearly Rs. 43 crores in Hindi on day 1. Sikandar will have to cross that number. While that film was released on Diwali, aap Eid pe aa rahe ho. And both are Sunday releases.”
When asked if collecting in the range of Rs. 100 crores is possible for Sikandar, Taran Adarsh exulted, “It is possible. But for Salman Khan, doing Rs. 100 crores in a couple of days is not a yardstick anymore. It would have been a big deal if the film starred a rising star. Shah Rukh Khan with Pathaan and Jawan delivered Rs. 500 crores grossers. Sunny Deol entered the Rs. 500 crores club with Gadar 2. Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal also delivered Rs. 500 crores films with Animal and Chhaava respectively. Stree 2 was a great brand and the content was strong; it earned Rs. 600 crores. Hence, Salman has to deliver the numbers. The pressure is there. Rs. 100 aur 200 crores se kaam nahin chalega.”
He continued, “Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Sultan and Tiger Zinda Hai crossed the Rs. 300 crores mark way back. Ab toh Rs. 500 crores kar lo! In today’s times, Bajrangi Bhaijaan had the potential to even collect Rs. 800 crores. This is because it blends star power with emotions beautifully.”
He ended his answer by cautioning that Sikandar can still open with a bang even if the advance is not huge. He said, “Such mass films rely on spot bookings. Spot bookings poora khel badal deti hai.”
Also Read: As Sikandar gets ready for release, trade experts hail Salman Khan’s SUPERSTARDOM: “He has been a MAJOR contributor to the business in mass pockets over decades. That’s why he managed to build a strong following”
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