Salman Khan’s Sikandar fails to beat Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava as 2025’s biggest opening of Bollywood | Hindi Movie News
Salman Khan’s much-anticipated Eid release, Sikandar directed by AR Murgadoss, failed to surpass Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava in terms of opening-day collections, despite the festive advantage. While Chhaava had set a strong benchmark with a Rs31 crore opening on its first Friday, Sikandar managed to collect only Rs 26 crore on its opening day, making it the second-biggest Bollywood opener of 2025 so far.
One of the major setbacks for Sikandar came in the form of piracy. The film was leaked online the night before its theatrical release, which may have significantly impacted its box office earnings. Piracy remains a pressing issue in the film industry, often leading to substantial revenue losses, especially for big-ticket films like Sikandar that rely on strong initial footfalls.
Despite the lower-than-expected start, industry analysts predict that Sikandar could witness a major jump in collections today, given that it coincides with Eid—a period that has historically been lucrative for Salman Khan’s films. Over the years, the superstar has delivered multiple Eid blockbusters, and his massive fan following still makes Sikandar a film with strong commercial potential. However, early reviews for the film have been mixed, with many critics calling it an average entertainer that doesn’t quite match the expectations set by Salman’s past Eid releases.
On the other hand, Chhaava benefitted from strong word-of-mouth and a gripping historical narrative that resonated well with audiences. Vicky Kaushal’s powerful performance and the film’s patriotic undertones helped drive its success, whereas Sikandar seems to be struggling to generate the same level of excitement beyond Salman Khan’s core fan base.
The true test for Sikandar will be in the coming days. If the film sees a significant surge over the Eid weekend and sustains well through the week, it may still emerge as a major success. However, for now, Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava retains the title of the biggest Bollywood opener of 2025, leaving Sikandar trailing behind despite its star power and festive release.
