Is it time Salman Khan took VRS? This is what many social media users are suggesting after the non-performance of his latest flick 'Sikandar' at the box-office. The film, directed by the hugely-successful Chennai-based AR Murugadoss, was released on Sunday to coincide with Eid ul Fitr. It grossed only Rs 54 crore on day one, which is a poor show for a Salman starrer, whereas Vicky Kaushal's 'Chhava' directed by the lesser-known Laxman Utekar raked in Rs 47.25 crore.
'Sikandar' was no match to the Mohanlal-starrer L2: Empuraan' which fetched Rs 67 crore on opening day despite the huge controversy surrounding it over certain scenes showing the Gujarat communal riots of 2002. Shah Rukh Khan's 'Jawan' had an opening of Rs 109 crore in September, 2023.
Trade sources attributed the poor showing to extensive piracy of the film on Saturday with as many as 600 prints being made. But there were not many takers for this claim.
According to industry-watchers, Salman has lost steam and in any case the audience could not digest the 59-year-old hero (he will become a senior citizen by this year end) cavorting with 28-year-old Rashmika Mandanna. Most of the non-paid reviews of the movie slammed it for failing in almost all the departments of the film, which was his first Eid release in two years.
Many suggested that Salman, who is high on the radar of the dreaded Lawrence Bishnoi gang for gunning down sacred black bucks some years ago, should hang his boots or may be accept only character roles. But the controversial actor would have none of it.
He has already announced his next movie along with his chum Sanjay Dutt. But, many who attended his 'Sikandar' presser said the actor was looking jaded and was talking about fate and death.
