Salman Khan’s Sikander has recorded the lowest-ever Eid opening of his career, grossing just over ₹55 crores since its release on March 30, according to Saclink. While some reports suggest higher numbers, the discrepancies are too large to be convincing. Director A.R. Murugadoss positioned Sikander as a mass entertainer for Salman’s loyal fanbase, but the film has failed to impress both audiences and critics alike.
This struggle isn’t unique to Salman Khan. The changing cinematic landscape no longer allows big-ticket stars and filmmakers to take their audience for granted. The Indian film industry, which has long relied on the star system, is experiencing an unprecedented slump. While Salman maintained his box office dominance for years—more for his charisma than acting prowess—his signature larger-than-life roles seem to be losing their magic. From Wanted’s ACP to Dabangg’s Chulbul Panday and Ek Tha Tiger’s secret agent, his on-screen avatars became pop culture icons. However, repetitive themes, outdated storytelling, and lackluster performances are no longer enough to draw in audiences.
Other big names are facing similar challenges. The underwhelming box office performances of Indian 2 (Kamal Haasan), Game Changer (Ram Charan), Kanguva (Suriya), and Baby John (Atlee) reflect a growing complacency in mainstream cinema. Trade analyst Sumit Kadel notes, “Before the pandemic, superstars like SRK and Salman could guarantee a strong opening weekend solely on their face value. Today’s audience, however, is far more discerning and judges a film’s potential based on its trailer and content, rather than just its star power.”
Even directors with strong track records, like Murugadoss, have struggled to keep up. Films like Darbar and Akira failed to connect with audiences, showing that even seasoned filmmakers are not immune to creative stagnation. Industry expert Girish Wankhede adds, “The combination of a big star and a successful director may look great on paper, but when a film is treated as a commercial product rather than a work of art, the results often fall flat.”
For Salman, the issues began with Sikander’s trailer, which reflected a sense of fatigue—both in content and performance. Girish further explains, “Salman appears uninspired and jaded in the film, leading to speculation about his commitment. Whether it’s due to exhaustion, disinterest, or overconfidence in his star power, the result is evident. Films like Race 3, Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, Dabangg 3, Bharat, and Tubelight all fell short of expectations, raising concerns about his sustainability as a box office draw.”
Despite his loyal fanbase, Salman’s films must evolve with the changing audience preferences. As a longtime fan, Deepak notes, “Salman still has a lot to offer, but he must reinvent himself and move away from outdated formulas. The gap between his style of cinema and the current generation’s expectations is becoming too wide.”
With the industry shifting rapidly, the challenge for Salman—and other big stars—is to adapt or risk fading into irrelevance.
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