Salman Khan, one of the biggest stars in Indian cinema, is preparing for the release of his next film, Sikandar, which will hit theaters around Eid in 2025. The movie is produced by Sajid Nadiadwala and directed by renowned filmmaker AR Murugadoss. Insights into the film’s financial aspects reveal some intriguing details.
Reports suggest that the total production cost of Sikandar stands at around Rs. 200 crores. This figure includes the budget for various factors, including the director’s fees and costs for other cast members, excluding Salman. The makers have set aside Rs. 20 crores specifically for marketing and publicity efforts, ensuring a substantial promotional push for the film.
What’s notable is the strong financial backing from non-theatrical channels—Sikandar has reportedly earned nearly Rs. 150 crores from digital platforms, satellite rights, and music sales. The breakdown of this non-theatrical revenue shows that the digital rights have fetched Rs. 85 crores, with expectations that this number might rise depending on how the film performs at the box office. Additionally, the satellite rights brought in Rs. 40 crores, and the music rights were sold for Rs. 20 crores, including promotional deals.
Salman Khan is expected to receive a substantial paycheck of around Rs. 100 crores from the digital revenues alone, marking one of the highest fees for an actor in the current landscape, especially as many stars are re-evaluating their salaries.
Initially, the film’s production budget was estimated at around Rs. 400 crores, factoring in Salman’s compensation. However, due to unforeseen security concerns, certain international and outdoor shooting schedules were canceled, leading to a budget revision down by about Rs. 100 crores.
The theatrical distribution rights have been secured by Pen Marudhar, which has already provided an advance payment to producer Sajid Nadiadwala. At this stage, Sikandar appears to be a promising project, particularly if it can garner around Rs. 200 crores in India and USD 10 million internationally. Such results would not only cover Salman’s fees but also ensure profitability for the producer.
As anticipation builds for Eid 2025, fans and industry insiders alike are eager to see how this blockbuster unfolds at the box office.
