With Eid Advantage and Sky-High Expectations, Will Sikandar Reclaim Salman’s Throne or Fall Short of Shah Rukh Khan’s 2023 Juggernaut
The stage is set for one of the most heated Bollywood box-office clashes in recent memory. As Salman Khan gears up for the March 30, 2025, release of Sikandar, fans are engaged in an intense debate: Can it match or surpass the staggering benchmarks set by Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan and Jawan?
While Sikandar boasts massive hype, a holiday release advantage, and strong pre-release business, the legacy of SRK’s ₹1000+ crore global blockbusters looms large, fueling an intense online rivalry between the fan bases of Bollywood’s two biggest superstars.
Can Sikandar Match Pathaan and Jawan’s Box Office Firepower?
Salman Khan’s fans are brimming with confidence, pointing to the film’s Eid 2025 release, his collaboration with A.R. Murugadoss, and its robust financial footing.
Sikandar has already recovered ₹165 crore from non-theatrical rights (Netflix, Zee, and Zee Music), covering nearly 80% of its ₹200 crore budget before hitting theaters.
Predictions on X (formerly Twitter) suggest an opening day between ₹50-60 crore net in India, potentially surpassing Salman’s personal best of ₹44.95 crore (Tiger 3) and challenging Pathaan (₹57 crore) and Jawan (₹75 crore).
Enthusiastic fans claim that, if word-of-mouth is strong, Sikandar could aim for a ₹600-1000 crore worldwide total, rivaling SRK’s ₹1055 crore (Pathaan) and ₹1069 crore (Jawan).
SRK Fans Set a High Bar: “Sikandar Can’t Match Pathaan and Jawan’s Hype”
While Salman fans expect Sikandar to dominate, Shah Rukh Khan loyalists argue otherwise.
SRK’s 2023 double strike redefined Bollywood’s post-pandemic landscape with Pathaan’s ₹543 crore net in India and Jawan’s ₹558 crore net, dwarfing Salman’s recent outings like Tiger 3 (₹286 crore net).
Pathaan and Jawan dominated pre-release hype, with 718K+ and 600K+ interests on BookMyShow, while Sikandar, as of March 21, 2025, stood at just 255.3K, per reports on X.
Some fans call Sikandar a “mega flop in the making”, claiming Salman’s formulaic action style won’t match SRK’s reinvention with Jawan and Pathaan.
Another key difference? Pan-India appeal.
Jawan had a massive Tamil and Telugu release, contributing ₹9.5 crore to its ₹75 crore opening day total.
Salman has historically struggled in the South compared to SRK’s newfound dominance in the region.
Social Media War: “Who’s Winning the Hype Game?”
The Sikandar vs. Pathaan/Jawan battle has fueled a digital warzone, with both fan bases using stats to claim victory.
A viral post on X suggested Shah Rukh Khan himself predicted that Sikandar would break his records—but with no official source, it seems to be fan fiction.
Salman fans argue that Sikandar’s teaser (48 million views in 24 hours) outperformed Pathaan and Jawan in reach, even if it trails in likes (720K vs. Pathaan’s 1.13M and Jawan’s 1.4M).
SRK fans counter that pre-release buzz isn’t everything—final box-office results matter, and Salman hasn’t touched ₹1000 crore worldwide since Bajrangi Bhaijaan.
Trade Experts Weigh In: Is Sikandar a Box Office Threat?
While fans dream of record-breaking numbers, trade analysts are more measured in their outlook.
Sumit Kadel, a leading trade expert, estimates that Sikandar could open between ₹30-40 crore, touching ₹50 crore only if buzz skyrockets post-trailer.
A ₹250-300 crore net lifetime in India is seen as realistic, far from Pathaan (₹543 crore) and Jawan (₹558 crore).
Sikandar’s overseas projections (₹50-60 crore gross on Day 1) lag behind Jawan’s ₹75 crore, highlighting SRK’s dominance in international markets.
The Final Verdict: Will Sikandar Be Salman’s Redemption or a Near-Miss?
With just days left until Sikandar hits theaters, fan expectations are at a fever pitch.
Salman loyalists believe the film will surpass Pathaan’s opening and challenge Jawan if it hits ₹60 crore net on Day 1.
SRK fans remain skeptical, pointing to superior pre-release numbers and the unbeatable box-office reign of 2023.
The truth? Sikandar could still be a massive success, but matching or exceeding SRK’s juggernauts requires a perfect storm of strong content, repeat viewership, and unparalleled buzz.
The battle lines are drawn. Will Salman reclaim his box-office throne, or will Sikandar fall short of SRK’s impossible 2023 standard?
Search: The Naina Murder Case — India’s Finest Crime Drama This Year?
When Konkona Sen Sharma steps into the khaki uniform as ACP Sanyukta Das, you know this isn’t just another cop show. Created by Rohan Sippy, this six-part thriller, streaming now on JioCinema, dives headfirst into the murky depths of a high-profile teen murder, pulling in political conspiracies, personal vendettas, and a weary but relentless investigator haunted by her own past.
Loosely adapted from the acclaimed Danish series The Killing, this Indian iteration doesn’t merely replicate—it recontextualizes. The victim, Naina, isn’t just a plot device; she becomes a symbol of societal rot. With each suspect introduced, the narrative tightens its grip, drawing you deeper into a maze where truth and deception are indistinguishable.
Konkona anchors the series with a performance so nuanced it often compensates for the show’s weaker moments—particularly the mid-season lag and a finale that leaves more questions than answers. Still, the murmurings of a possible Season 2 are well-earned.
The brilliant Konkona Sen Sharma stars in ‘Search: The Naina Murder Case’ as ACP Sanyukta Das, a detective whose plan to save her marriage is derailed by one last, harrowing case. The murder of a teenage girl, Naina, forces her to confront dark secrets at every turn. The investigation becomes intensely personal as the case intertwines with her own struggles, testing her resilience to its breaking point. Will solving the mystery cost her everything? The gripping search begins October 10, exclusively on JioHotstar
Verdict: If you crave tightly-wound whodunits with a soul, Search: The Naina Murder Case is a compelling slow-burner with a powerful female lead at its heart.
Studio CarryOnHarry Desk — Annemarie Picerno Releases Inspiring New Single “Dreams and Wings”
Nashville, TN — : Acclaimed Nashville-based entertainer, songwriter, and Grammy® Voting Member Annemarie Picerno unveils her brand-new single “Dreams and Wings,” a heartfelt anthem about aspiration, love, and the pursuit of freedom.
A Song of Hope and Freedom
“Dreams and Wings” evokes a powerful metaphor that blends life’s deepest desires with the courage to soar. Dreams reflect the longing to live and love freely, while wings symbolize the strength to uplift those we cherish, even as life leads us on different paths. With soaring vocals and emotionally rich lyrics, Picerno captures the idea that true love always returns when it is selfless and kind.
Song Title: Dreams and Wingshttps://youtu.be/AQbvcZx-DeU?si=MGUMTJOfDL7t3Zs3https://youtu.be/AQbvcZx-DeU?si=MGUMTJOfDL7t3Zs3https://youtu.be/AQbvcZx-DeU?si=MGUMTJOfDL7t3Zs3
Artist & Composer: Annemarie Picerno
Release Date: August 15, 2025
Label: Amplifiedsound
ISRC: TCAJY2561423
Publishing: Tunecore Publishing
UPC: 859714610872
Primary Genre: American Roots
Secondary Genre: Folk
About Annemarie Picerno
A dynamic force in the Nashville music scene, Annemarie Picerno is celebrated for her powerful, bluesy vocals and genre-spanning compositions. A Voting Member of The Recording Academy (Grammys®) and an award-winning artist, she has honed her craft with a BFA in Musical Theater, specializing in voice (Classical & Broadway Belt), composition, acting, and performance.
Picerno’s music is defined by her ability to seamlessly blend Americana, Country, Pop, Blues, Gospel, Soul, and Rock into heartfelt storytelling. Collaborating with Billboard hitmaker Bob McGilpin, she continues to create original songs that strike an emotional chord with listeners worldwide.
On stage, Annemarie is known for her passionate performances and versatile artistry, captivating audiences with a mix of vocal power, lyrical depth, and authentic presence.
Connect with Annemarie Picerno
Official Website: annemariepicerno.com
Facebook: facebook.com/annemariepicerno
Instagram: instagram.com/annemariepicerno
Twitter/X: x.com/amplifiedsound
YouTube: youtube.com/@amplifiedsound
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✨ “Dreams and Wings” is now available for radio airplay and streaming. With its soaring message of hope and resilience, Annemarie Picerno once again proves why she is one of Nashville’s most captivating and versatile voices.
The stage is set for one of the most heated Bollywood box-office clashes in recent memory. As Salman Khan gears up for the March 30, 2025, release of Sikandar, fans are engaged in an intense debate: Can it match or surpass the staggering benchmarks set by Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan and Jawan?
