Salman Khan’s much-anticipated film Sikandar has faced a disappointing reception in several cities, leading to multiple show cancellations due to low audience turnout. Reports indicate that in cities like Surat, Ahmedabad, and Indore, the film has struggled to draw viewers, with some theatres reporting no ticket sales for morning shows.
Poor Performance in Key Cities
In Surat’s The Friday Cinema, the situation was particularly dire, with no ticket sales recorded for Monday morning shows. This trend has forced theatre owners to reconsider their screening schedules, leading to Sikandar being replaced by regional hits. In Gujarat, films like All The Best Pandya and Umbarro have taken over, while in Mumbai, L2 Empuraan is performing significantly better. in the first week at box office, it is not even crossed 100 crores as per times of India report. Therefore, ultimately 50% drop in the business.
This unexpected struggle raises questions about audience preferences, particularly in regions where Salman Khan’s films have traditionally performed well. The poor reception indicates a possible shift in viewing trends, with audiences gravitating towards regional and content-driven cinema over star-driven Bollywood releases.
Gaiety-Galaxy: A Lone Bright Spot
While Sikandar has faced challenges across multiple cities, Mumbai’s iconic Gaiety-Galaxy multiplex proved to be an exception. The theatre, known for its mass audience appeal, witnessed packed shows on Eid, reaffirming Salman Khan’s strong fan base among single-screen viewers.
This scenario mirrors past trends where Salman Khan’s films have drawn enthusiastic crowds in mass circuits despite underwhelming performances in multiplexes. The festive release and Khan’s loyal fan following likely contributed to the film’s success at Gaiety-Galaxy, even as it struggled elsewhere.
Changing Audience Preferences?
The contrasting response to Sikandar highlights a larger shift in Bollywood’s landscape. Audiences, particularly in metro and tier-2 cities, seem to be gravitating towards regional content and strong narratives rather than relying solely on star power.
With increasing competition from South Indian films and OTT platforms, Bollywood’s traditional formula of big-budget action dramas may need to evolve to keep up with changing audience tastes. Sikandar’s fate suggests that even megastars like Salman Khan can no longer solely bank on their star power to guarantee a box-office hit.
Sikandar Trailer
Conclusion
The mixed response to Sikandar is a wake-up call for Bollywood filmmakers. While Salman Khan’s mass appeal remains intact in certain pockets like Gaiety-Galaxy, the film’s struggle in key cities like Surat, Ahmedabad, and Indore signals changing audience expectations. Whether Bollywood adapts to this evolving landscape remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—star power alone may no longer be enough to ensure box office success.
