Salman Khan’s Sikandar set for rare Sunday release on March 30, breaks Friday tradition yet again

Salman Khan’s much-anticipated action film Sikandar is set to release on March 30, 2025, breaking the industry norm of Friday openings. The film, directed by AR Murugadoss, will hit the big screens on a Sunday, coinciding with Eid celebrations. This is not the first time Salman has opted for an unconventional release pattern, as his 2023 film Tiger 3 was also released on a Sunday to align with Diwali festivities.

On Wednesday, Salman Khan took to Instagram to share a new poster of Sikandar, confirming the release date. He captioned the post, “See you in theatres worldwide on 30th March! #Sikandar.” The announcement generated excitement among fans, making the film one of the most awaited Eid releases of 2025.

While unconventional release strategies often spark debate, industry experts believe the decision to release Sikandar on a Sunday could work in its favor, given the extended holiday advantage. The move mirrors the release strategy of Tiger 3, which hit screens on Diwali’s Laxmi Puja day, despite concerns about missing out on the pre-festival weekend. YRF’s VP of Distribution, Rohan Malhotra, had defended the decision back then, stating, “It is important not to just chase opening day numbers but to focus on the film’s overall benefit.” Despite mixed trade reactions, Tiger 3 went on to collect over ₹280 crore at the box office, proving the unconventional release plan effective.

Sikandar, directed by AR Murugadoss, features Rashmika Mandanna and Kajal Aggarwal in pivotal roles, alongside Salman Khan in a high-octane action avatar. The film marks Salman’s return to the big screen after a relatively quiet phase post-Tiger 3. Murugadoss, known for films like Ghajini and Holiday, is expected to deliver another action-packed entertainer, further fueling audience anticipation.

With Salman Khan’s strong Eid track record, industry analysts predict that Sikandar could witness a massive opening despite skipping the traditional Friday release slot. The film is expected to benefit from the extended holiday period, maximizing footfalls during the Eid weekend. With Salman’s mass appeal and Murugadoss’s action-packed direction, Sikandar is poised to be one of the biggest releases of the year.

As Bollywood continues to experiment with release strategies, Sikandar’s performance at the box office will be closely watched to assess whether Sunday releases could become a new trend for major blockbusters.