The Salman Khan’s ‘Sikandar’ has emerged as the top contender at the box office, surpassing Mohanlal’s ‘L2: Empuraan’ in just three days of its release. As the action-packed drama continues to draw massive crowds, the film has earned over ₹55 crore by Day 3, significantly outperforming ‘Empuraan’, which has grossed ₹45.35 crore within the same period.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of how ‘Sikandar’ is performing at the box office, alongside comparisons with ‘Empuraan’ and other big-budget releases:
‘Sikandar’ Dominates the Box Office on Day 3
Released on Sunday, March 30, ‘Sikandar’ quickly began its race to the top, raking in an impressive ₹26 crore on Day 1 and ₹29 crore on Day 2, which coincided with Eid. Early estimates from industry tracker Sacnilk suggest that ‘Sikandar’ will cross the ₹55 crore mark by the end of Day 3 (Tuesday, April 1).
The film stars Salman Khan in a gripping action-drama role, alongside Rashmika Mandanna, Kajal Aggarwal, Sathyaraj, and Sharman Joshi. Directed by AR Murugadoss, ‘Sikandar’ marks Khan’s long-awaited return to the big screen after his previous 2023 release. The film had initially been slated for a 2024 release, but it was pushed forward.
While ‘Sikandar’ is experiencing a solid run, it’s still trailing behind Vicky Kaushal’s ‘Chhaava’ in terms of opening-day earnings. ‘Chhaava’ made an impressive ₹31 crore on its opening day, outshining ‘Sikandar’’s ₹26 crore.
‘Empuraan’ Struggles to Keep Up
Despite a grand opening and much anticipation, Mohanlal’s ‘Empuraan’, the highly awaited sequel to ‘Lucifer’, has had a slower box office performance. After three days of release, the film has grossed ₹45.35 crore, trailing significantly behind ‘Sikandar’. Industry analysts are attributing the gap to ‘Sikandar’’s mass appeal and Salman Khan’s star power, which continues to drive audiences to the theaters.
However, ‘Empuraan’ still managed to draw a strong fanbase and is expected to show some growth in the coming weeks, especially considering Mohanlal’s established fan following in Kerala and other parts of India. Still, the ‘Sikandar’ juggernaut has proven difficult to beat for now.
Comparison with Previous Salman Khan Blockbusters
While ‘Sikandar’’s opening weekend numbers are impressive, Salman Khan‘s latest offering still falls short when compared to his previous blockbusters. For instance:
‘Sultan’ earned ₹36.54 crore on its opening day.
‘Tiger 3’ grossed ₹53.3 crore on Day 1, surpassing ‘Sikandar’’s Day 1 performance by a significant margin.
‘Tiger Zinda Hai’ and ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ hold the title as Salman Khan’s highest-grossing films, earning ₹339.16 crore and ₹320.34 crore, respectively.
Although ‘Sikandar’ is off to a good start, it has yet to match the opening numbers of some of Salman Khan’s previous hits. The question remains: can ‘Sikandar’ continue its momentum and make a run at breaking records?
What’s Next for ‘Sikandar’ and the Future Box Office Race?
With ‘Sikandar’ continuing to perform well, industry experts are predicting a strong weekend collection, pushing the movie further into the ₹100-crore club by the end of its first week. However, the film’s long-term success will depend on how it fares against the upcoming releases in 2025.
As for ‘Empuraan’, despite the strong competition, the Mohanlal starrer could still gain traction in its second week. The film has strong reviews and fan support, particularly in Southern India, where ‘Lucifer’ was a cultural phenomenon. The sequel’s slow burn at the box office may result in a longer run compared to the more action-oriented ‘Sikandar’.
Another potential contender is ‘Chhaava Sultan’, which is still proving to be a dark horse in the race for box-office supremacy. If it manages to maintain strong numbers, it could give both ‘Sikandar’ and ‘Empuraan’ a run for their money.
Looking Ahead: Can ‘Sikandar’ Reach the ₹500 Crore Mark?
With ‘Sikandar’ showing solid growth, it could very well join the ranks of Salman Khan’s top-performing films. The question now is whether ‘Sikandar’ can reach the coveted ₹500-crore mark, a feat that only his mega-hits like ‘Tiger Zinda Hai’ and ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ have achieved.
The film’s ability to keep momentum going will be crucial in determining whether it can challenge the highest box-office figures in Bollywood. With Salman Khan’s star power, a thrilling storyline, and massive commercial appeal, ‘Sikandar’ could well be on its way to becoming one of the top-grossing films of 2025.
