Salman Khan’s much-anticipated action drama Sikandar is gearing up for a grand theatrical release on March 30, 2025, just in time for the Eid festivities. With the trailer dropping on March 23 and creating a massive buzz, the film’s advance booking window opened nationwide on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. As expected, fans of the Bollywood superstar have rushed to secure their seats, and the first-day advance booking figures are painting an exciting picture for what could be one of the biggest openings of the year.

A Solid Kickoff

According to early reports from industry tracker Sacnilk and various entertainment portals, Sikandar has made an impressive start at the box office with its advance bookings for the opening day. Within hours of the booking window opening, the film sold over 40,000 tickets across India, reflecting the immense anticipation surrounding Salman Khan’s return to the big screen. By the end of the first day of pre-sales, estimates suggest that approximately 67,293 tickets were sold for around 9,110 shows nationwide, translating to a gross collection of Rs 1.92 crore (excluding block seats), as per The Times of India.

When block seats are factored in, the numbers climb even higher. Sacnilk reports indicate that the advance booking gross reached Rs 2.96 crore with block seats included, with a total of 64,765 tickets sold by midday. This figure aligns with updates from other sources, such as Pinkvilla, which noted that Sikandar recorded around 16,000 admissions in top national chains like PVR Inox and Cinepolis by 5 PM on March 25. These early trends suggest that the film could close its first day of advance bookings with ticket sales in the range of 25,000 to 30,000 in these major chains alone.

Regional Breakdown

The film’s pre-release performance has been particularly strong in key markets. Maharashtra leads the pack with an estimated Rs 1.24 crore in advance collections, closely followed by Delhi at Rs 1.11 crore. Other regions like Rajasthan (Rs 51.08 lakh), Gujarat (Rs 49.94 lakh), and Karnataka (Rs 28.82 lakh) are also showing promising numbers, as reported by The Times of India. This regional spread highlights Salman Khan’s widespread appeal, especially in the Hindi heartland, where his larger-than-life persona continues to draw massive crowds.

Interestingly, posts on X have echoed these figures, with some users reporting slightly higher totals—such as over 40,000 tickets sold within hours and an approximate gross of Rs 3.10 crore with block seats—indicating that the excitement is palpable and ticket sales are picking up pace as the day progresses.

International Buzz

Sikandar isn’t just creating waves in India; its advance booking performance in international markets is equally noteworthy. In the UAE, a key market for Bollywood films, especially during Eid, the film has already sold 799 tickets across 253 shows at VOX Cinemas, earning AED 45.76K (approximately Rs 10.71 lakh) a week before release, as per Filmibeat. This outperforms Ajay Devgn’s Singham Again, which collected AED 28.9K (Rs 6.76 lakh) for 67 shows at the same stage, though Sikandar benefits from a higher show count. Meanwhile, in the USA, advance bookings kicked off on March 18, selling over 1,500 tickets within hours and raking in Rs 25 lakh, signaling a strong start overseas.

Why the Hype?

Directed by A.R. Murugadoss and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, Sikandar promises a high-octane action thriller with emotional depth, featuring Salman Khan in a fierce avatar alongside Rashmika Mandanna, Kajal Aggarwal, and a talented ensemble cast. The trailer, which crossed 81 million views in 24 hours, has amplified the excitement with its gripping visuals, punchy dialogues, and Salman’s signature mass appeal. The film’s unique Sunday release strategy—aligned with festive occasions like Gudi Padwa, Ugadi, and Eid—further boosts its potential for a bumper opening.

Industry experts predict that the real surge in ticket sales will occur closer to the release date, particularly over the last two days, which could account for 70-80% of total pre-sales. Pinkvilla forecasts an opening day collection of around Rs 31 crore, though this could rise significantly if the momentum continues. With Salman Khan’s previous Eid release, Tiger 3, opening at Rs 44 crore nett despite mixed reviews, Sikandar has a high benchmark to chase—and early signs suggest it’s on the right track.

Final Thoughts

The first day advance booking report for Sikandar underscores Salman Khan’s enduring star power and the film’s potential to dominate the box office this Eid. While it’s off to a slower start compared to some of 2023’s record-breaking openers like Jawan or Pathaan, the steady pace and strong regional performance indicate that Sikandar could build into a juggernaut as the release date nears. With five days still to go, all eyes are on whether this action-packed entertainer can break records and deliver Salman Khan his biggest opener yet. For now, the stage is set for a cinematic celebration that fans won’t want to miss!