Salman Khan’s ‘Sikandar’ Advance Booking Opens with Slow Start

The advance booking for Salman Khan’s Eid release, ‘Sikandar,’ directed by AR Murugadoss, has commenced across theaters. The film is expected to generate strong box office numbers, though early ticket sales indicate a measured start compared to previous Salman Khan films.

According to trade sources, ‘Sikandar’ has recorded pre-sales of over 67,000 tickets for approximately 9,300 screenings across India in the Hindi language. By 11 AM on Wednesday, the film had earned Rs 1.93 crore in advance sales, excluding blocked seats. With blocked seat reservations included, the total pre-sales for opening day reached around Rs 6.22 crore.

Typically, pre-sales figures for major releases increase closer to the release date. Salman Khan films often witness significant momentum in ticket bookings in the days leading up to their theatrical debut. With ‘Sikandar’ set for a Sunday release, industry projections suggest a spike in advance booking figures between Friday and Saturday. If audience reception is favorable, strong ticket sales are likely to continue through the three-day Eid holiday period.

Meanwhile, ‘Sikandar’ is set to clash at the box office with Mohanlal’s ‘L2: Empuraan.’ The Malayalam-language film, positioned as a pan-India release, has gained traction nationwide, supported by the success of its predecessor. The simultaneous release of both films adds an element of competition for the Eid holiday audience, making the weekend’s box office performance a key point of interest.

‘Sikandar’ features an ensemble cast, including Rashmika Mandanna, Kajal Aggarwal, Sharman Joshi, Prateik Smita Patil, and Sathyaraj. Produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, the film aims to capitalize on Salman Khan’s star power and the festive season to secure strong theatrical numbers. Industry experts will closely monitor its advance booking trends to gauge overall expectations for its opening weekend performance.