The latest big Bollywood release Sikandar has had an underwhelming start at the box office. With advance bookings below $2 million for the opening day, the Hindi film is likely to open with mere $3 to $4 million in the Indian markets., according to trade experts. Sikandar features Salman Khan and Rashmika Mandanna in lead roles and releases in theatres on Sunday, March 30. Sikandar is directed by AR Murugadoss (Ghajini, Akira) and is releasing across more than 5,000 screens in India. Globally, the film is most likely to stay below the $10 million-mark for the opening collections.
Sikandar makes $1 million in advance booking, may open with $3-4 million in India
Salman Khan’s new film, his Eid-special release, Sikandar, may not bring as many festivities this year, as his previous Eid-special releases. His new Hindi film has had a low start at the box office with advance bookings worth $1 million for the first day. While on-spot bookings contribute majorly to such films, even film business experts are not too hopeful of the film. The trade analysts have placed the film’s likely opening anywhere between $3 million and $5 million in the Indian market.
Sikandar Advance Bookings
According to reports, Sikandar has made just $1 million in advance bookings. The advance bookings opened five days before the film hit theatres on March 30. While Eid was celebrated on Sunday in some parts of the world, India will celebrate the festival on Monday, the film’s second day at the box office.
Sikandar Opening Predictions
PVR INOX Ltd CEO-Revenue & Operations Gautam Dutta shares that Sikandar is likely to open with a decent $5-6 million on Sunday. On the other hand, producer and film business expert Girish Johar tells us that the opening figures for Sikandar can be as low as $3 million in the Indian markets. Given that producers Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment chose a Sunday for the theatrical release, it does not leave much time for the usual movie buff.
However, Johar opines that the producers must be hoping to en-cash on the Eid-related festivities and holidays in the Indian subcontinent and the Middle East markets. “They feel Sunday-Monday-Tuesday may cover up for Friday-Saturday-Sunday. I believe the film will open with at least $3 million in India. An open window, with no Hindi film releasing next week will give a good space for the film to perform. Obviously, the movie should be good – that’s what matters eventually. If all falls into place, Sikandar should make around $10 million in three days in India.”
Film trade analyst Akshaye Rathi reminds us that Sunday is Gudi Padva – an Indian festival – and Eid for some markets outside India. Given Khan’s stardom, and the history of both the director and producer, Rathi also believes Sikandar should make an opening collection of $3 million.
Exhibitor Vishek Chauhan puts the opening figure even lower – around $2.5 and $3 million – for the opening day collection of Sikandar. He adds that the numbers will significantly soar on Monday, the film’s second day at the box office and a major holiday in Indian markets. “I think Sikandar is a Salman Khan film releasing on Eid. It looks like a good masala entertainer with a large scale (production value). If the film is well made, I think it will be able to make $35-40 million eventually.”
Sikandar box office competition
When Sikandar hit theatres, the Malayalam film, L2 Empuraan was already running in theatres. However, the Khan film will get an open window with the next big Indian release scheduled for April 10 (Jaat). Johar says that despite its buzz, L2 Empuraan is not a competition for Sikandar. They belong to different target audiences, he insists. He adds that critical cricket matches are yet to begin in the ongoing IPL cricket series, hence, that too, is not much of a bother for Sikandar box office.