Salman Khan’s highly-awaited film Sikandar took off to a grand opening on Eid, collecting a hefty opening of Rs 26 crore. Though the movie has had a varied response from the audience as well as critics. While a section of viewers have appreciated the action-based plot and Khan’s acting, others have been disappointed, resulting in a volatile box office ride.
Film’s Hiccups in Certain Cinemas
While the first week was a success, Sikandar is struggling in a number of theatres throughout the nation. The film has been withdrawn from most theatres in light of poor demand, particularly from multiplexes in smaller cities. The poor performance in these markets has put its box office sustainability in the long run in question.
Ironically, the film’s tenure has been very different in Mumbai, where the movie has become highly popular. It has witnessed an upsurge in demand, especially at the legendary Gaeity-Galaxy Theatre, where it has taken the place of Mohanlal’s L2 Empuraan. The spate of additional showings at this classic theatre indicates a good reception from Mumbai viewers, who appear to be warming up to the film more than others. Houses have been full in these single-screen theatres, suggesting that the film’s popularity could be higher in some urban enclaves.
Also Read: Is Sikandar turning out to be a flop? Salman Khan’s film sees significant drop on Day 4
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Mixed Audience Reactions
The box office success of the film has been anything but consistent throughout India. Although Mumbai has continued to support Sikandar, other markets have not. Critics have raised the issue of the pacing and depth in certain parts of the film, which could have accounted for the poor reception in several theatres. Some of the fans of Salman Khan’s past successes have lamented that Sikandar is unable to reach the same extent of excitement and emotional involvement.
In spite of all these problems, the box office performance of the film cannot be ruled out altogether. With its opening figure of Rs 26 crore, Sikandar has still left a mark, particularly in Mumbai. The popularity of the film in terms of attracting huge numbers at single-screen cinemas is testimony to the drawing power of Salman Khan and his devoted fan following in the region.
The Future of ‘Sikandar’ at the Box Office
As Sikandar enters its run in theatres, it will be interesting to note if it can make the most of its success in Mumbai and other isolated areas. The fate of the film may primarily lie in its success in sustaining the momentum in single-screen theatres and generating a wider following. For that, however, it is too soon to say if it will be able to overcome the setback it is at in other markets and become a leading box office draw.
