Salman should take up bold roles like Animal, Bhool Bhulaiyaa

Salman Khan’s much-anticipated Eid 2025 release Sikandar has hit the big screen with much fanfare, co-starring Rashmika Mandanna and directed by A.R. Murugadoss. But despite the buzz, the film’s box office journey has been anything but smooth. While fans turned up in large numbers during the opening weekend, the overall performance has raised eyebrows, especially during the crucial holiday period.
Manoj Desai defends Sikandar’s performance
Manoj Desai, Executive Director of Mumbai’s iconic G7 multiplex (Gaiety Galaxy) and Maratha Mandir, opened up about the film’s response and its standing in Salman’s filmography. Speaking to Bollywood Hungama, he offered an honest yet supportive view of Sikandar’s box office performance.
"Even though there's some disappointment, when you look at a Rs 200 crore collection, I’d still say the film has done well," he said. "Our Managing Director Arun Nahar has been very supportive. Initially, we had priced tickets high, but we had to reduce them in line with the rest of the market. We couldn’t afford to be left behind."

Desai highlighted that today’s audience craves emotional depth in stories, and that’s something Salman brought into Sikandar. "His recent Eid releases might not have the same magic as before, but Salman has always had hits to his credit. I spoke to him personally, and he shared that emotions took the front seat this time—that’s the kind of connection he wanted to build with the audience."
Manoj Desai suggests bolder roles for Salman Khan
He further suggested that it might be time for Salman to switch gears. “The audience is responding to films with bold choices—like Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal or Kartik Aaryan in Bhool Bhulaiyaa. Salman has already done action-packed hits like Wanted, but exploring something new could really work in his favour.”
Despite the ups and downs, Desai confirmed that Sikandar continues to pull in crowds at their theatres. "The film is one of the top grossers at Gaiety Galaxy and Maratha Mandir right now. We’ve been adjusting rates and strategies to stay aligned with what the public wants. It’s all about staying connected with the common man."

Sikandar crosses Rs 100 crore but sees drop after day 10
While Sikandar hasn’t matched the success of previous Salman blockbusters, the film crossed the Rs 100 crore mark within 10 days. However, on Day 11, it struggled to pull in more than Rs 1.50 crore at the domestic box office. Despite the dip, the film continues its theatrical run, and its long-term performance remains to be seen.

Backed by Sajid Nadiadwala, Sikandar also stars Kajal Aggarwal, Sharman Joshi, Suniel Shetty, Sathyaraj, and Prateik Babbar.