Mumbai, March 31, 2025 – Bollywood’s eternal “Bhai,” Salman Khan, unleashed his latest action-packed extravaganza, Sikandar, on an unsuspecting audience this Eid, and oh boy, the internet has opinions. Directed by AR Murugadoss and featuring Rashmika Mandanna as the leading lady, the film hit theaters on March 30, raking in a decent Rs 26 crore on its opening day. But as social media lights up with reactions, the question looms: Is this Salman’s triumphant return to form, or just another excuse to flex his biceps and call it a day?
The hype around Sikandar was as massive as Salman’s fanbase, with early estimates pegging its Day 1 India nett collection at Rs 26 crore across all languages, according to The Indian Express. Globally, the film strutted its stuff with a Rs 54.72 crore opening, per the makers’ proud X post. Yet, not everyone’s clapping. Critics and keyboard warriors alike have taken to social media to dissect this Salman Khan starrer, and the sarcasm is thicker than the plot.
One X user quipped, “Salman Khan in Sikandar: breaking bones and box office records, but mostly my patience.” Another chimed in, “Rashmika Mandanna’s chemistry with Salman is so electric, I fell asleep to charge my phone.” Clearly, the film’s promise of high-octane action and emotional depth didn’t hit the mark for everyone. Still, die-hard fans rallied, with one declaring, “Bhai’s entry in Sikandar was worth the ticket price alone—paisa vasool, haters gonna hate!”
The storyline follows Salman as Sanjay Rajkot, aka Sikandar, a do-gooder royal turned vengeance-driven vigilante after a personal tragedy. Cue the slow-mo punches, dramatic dialogues, and a soundtrack featuring bangers like “Zohra Jabeen” and “Bam Bam Bhole.” But while some praised the “mass appeal” and “whistle-worthy” moments, others weren’t buying it. “AR Murugadoss forgot to direct a movie and just filmed Salman being Salman,” snarked a critic on X.
Box office numbers aside, Sikandar faced a rocky start with piracy woes—over 3,000 pirated links were taken down with help from Mumbai Police’s Cyber Cell, as reported by The Times of India. Trade analyst Komal Nahta didn’t mince words, suggesting the leak could tank its theatrical run. “Why go to the cinema when Bhai’s latest is free on your phone?” he mused, probably while sipping chai and shaking his head.
Social media reactions range from ecstatic to eye-rolling. “Blockbuster! Salman Khan’s best since Bajrangi Bhaijaan,” gushed a fan, while another countered, “If Sikandar is a hit, I’m calling my dog a rocket scientist.” The film’s mixed reviews—think one-and-a-half stars from Indian Express versus fan-led “paisa vasool” hype—paint a chaotic picture. Even Sunny Deol jumped in with a supportive “Chak De Fatte!” on Instagram, but that hasn’t silenced the doubters.
As Sikandar battles it out at the box office, its Day 2 haul of Rs 14.56 crore (till Monday evening) hints at an Eid holiday bump, per Times of India. Will it cross Rs 50 crore and reclaim Salman’s throne, or fizzle out like a damp firecracker? For now, the internet’s verdict is clear: love him or loathe him, Salman Khan’s Sikandar is the talk of the town—and the troll of the timeline.