Ahead of Sikandar, a look at Salman Khan’s legacy of box office dominance with Eid releases

A look at Salman Khan box office collections with Eid releases

For over a decade, Eid has become synonymous with Salman Khan’s big-screen extravaganzas. The festival and Bollywood’s beloved ‘Bhai’ share a deep connection, as his releases have often turned into box office blockbusters. While Eid 2024 did not see a Salman Khan film, this year's Eidi for fans will come in the form of Sikandar that promises a high-octane cinematic treat.

As the anticipation for Sikandar reaches its peak, let’s look back at Salman Khan’s iconic Eid releases and their box office performances over the years.

The birth of an Eid tradition
Salman Khan’s Dabangg (2010) marked the beginning of his dominance over the Eid release window. With the introduction of the fearless and charismatic Chulbul Pandey, the film became an instant hit and raked in Rs 221.14 crore globally. Sonakshi Sinha’s Bollywood debut and Sonu Sood’s menacing antagonist only added to the film’s appeal.

Back-to-back blockbusters
Following Dabangg, Salman Khan’s Bodyguard (2011) was another massive success, grossing Rs 252 crore worldwide. The film also starred Kareena Kapoor, and struck a chord with audiences with a perfect blend of romance and action. The following year, Ek Tha Tiger (2012), directed by Kabir Khan, took things to another level. With a thrilling espionage storyline and Katrina Kaif as the leading lady, the film amassed Rs 334.39 crore worldwide, solidifying Salman’s hold over Eid.

Riding the Eid wave
Kick (2014), starring Salman alongside Jacqueline Fernandez, Randeep Hooda, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, saw the actor as the adventure-loving Devi Lal Singh. Despite mixed reviews, the film enjoyed massive commercial success, earning Rs 402 crore worldwide. However, it was Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015) that truly redefined Salman Khan’s Eid filmography. The touching story of a simple man helping a lost Pakistani girl find her way home resonated deeply with audiences. Directed by Kabir Khan, Bajrangi Bhaijaan collected an astounding Rs 444.92 crore, proving that Salman’s films weren’t just action-packed spectacles but also had emotional depth.

Sultan’s unstoppable run (2016) and the first Eid misfire - Tubelight (2017)
Bajrangi Bhaijaan was followed by another colossal hit, Sultan (2016), which told the story of a wrestler’s redemption. With an emotional narrative and impressive performances by Salman Khan and Anushka Sharma, the film grossed Rs 623.33 crore, becoming one of his highest-grossing movies ever. However, Tubelight (2017), despite Salman’s emotional performance, failed to live up to expectations. It earned Rs 211.14 crore and received mixed to negative reviews. Race 3 (2018) did average and earned Rs 294.98 crore worldwide.

A grand comeback
Salman Khan bounced back with Bharat (2019), a film set against the backdrop of India’s partition, chronicling one man’s journey through decades of history. With a strong ensemble cast including Katrina Kaif, Tabu, and Disha Patani, the film earned Rs 251.27 crore in India.

The post-pandemic Eid revival
Post-pandemic, Salman attempted to revive his Eid magic with Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan (2023). However, the film, despite being an action-packed family drama, failed to perform exceptionally. The film grossed Rs 182.44 crore worldwide.

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Anticipation for Sikandar
With Sikandar slated for Eid this year, Salman Khan aims to reclaim his box office supremacy. Over the years, his Eid releases have not only become a Bollywood tradition but also an integral part of the festival’s celebrations. Whether action-packed or emotionally driven, Salman’s films have consistently drawn crowds, proving that for fans, Eid in Bollywood truly means a Bhai blockbuster.