Salman Khan’s “Sikandar” Falls Victim to Piracy Hours After Theatrical Debut
Salman Khan’s latest cinematic venture, Sikandar, co-starring Rashmika Mandanna, hit theaters on Saturday, March 30, only to face a swift blow from online piracy. Reports confirm that just hours before its official release, an HD version of the action-packed film surfaced on notorious piracy platforms such as Tamilrockers, Movierulz, and Telegram channels, according to the source . This early leak has sparked concerns about its potential impact on the movie’s box office performance.
Directed by AR Murugadoss and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala under Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment, Sikandar marks Khan’s big-screen return following his 2023 release, Tiger 3 . The film, which also features a robust ensemble cast including Sathyaraj, Prateik Babbar, Kajal Aggarwal, and Sharman Joshi, was poised for a strong opening, bolstered by advance bookings exceeding Rs 1 crore across major chains like PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis, as reported. However, the unauthorized online availability now threatens to undermine its theatrical earnings.
Piracy remains a persistent challenge for Bollywood, despite stringent anti-piracy laws. Sources indicate that the leaked copies of Sikandar likely originated from camcorder recordings captured during early screenings, later refined into high-definition formats for widespread distribution. It notes that this incident mirrors a troubling trend affecting high-budget productions, with illegal streaming platforms continuing to evade enforcement efforts.
The timing of the leak couldn’t be worse for Sikandar, a film heavily reliant on its theatrical draw to recoup its substantial production costs. While fans flocked to cinemas to catch Khan in his signature action-hero role alongside Mandanna’s much-anticipated Bollywood pairing, the piracy setback has cast a shadow over what was expected to be a blockbuster weekend. Industry observers are now watching closely to see how this breach will affect the film’s financial trajectory in the days ahead.
