Salman Khan, one of Bollywood’s most bankable stars, has had an illustrious career spanning over three decades. However, an uncanny pattern seems to follow him—his association with the number 3 and the name “Sikandar” has not yielded the kind of success one would expect from a megastar of his stature. While superstition and coincidences often find a place in Bollywood lore, Salman’s track record with these elements raises questions about whether they are merely coincidences or an ominous trend.
Race 3: A Franchise Letdown
The first major instance of Salman Khan’s tryst with the number 3 and the name Sikandar occurred in 2018 when he joined the hit Race franchise for its third installment. The first two films in the Race series were helmed by Abbas-Mustan and had found a cult following for their stylish action, thrilling storylines, and stellar performances by Saif Ali Khan.
However, when Salman stepped in to headline Race 3, it was met with high expectations. The film was released as a grand Eid spectacle, but despite opening to impressive numbers, it was panned by critics and audiences alike. The failure of Race 3 marked the beginning of a pattern that would repeat in the years to come.
Tiger 3: A Success That Felt Like a Setback
Fast forward to 2023, Salman Khan reprised his iconic role as Tiger in Tiger 3, the third installment in YRF’s Spy Universe. The film opened to record-breaking numbers, marking the biggest opening for any Salman Khan film. However, in the larger scheme of things, Tiger 3 underperformed with Rs282 crore collection when compared to its predecessor, Pathaan (2023), which had taken the box office by storm, collecting over Rs500 crore in India alone.
Sikandar (2024): A Difficult Outing
In 2024, Salman Khan once again found himself at the centre of an underwhelming box office outing with “Sikandar”. The film, which was expected to be an Eid blockbuster, faced numerous setbacks. Firstly, piracy plagued the film before its theatrical release, significantly impacting its earnings. Secondly, the film was unable to connect with Salman’s core fan base as well as general audiences, leading to disappointing box office numbers.
Another crucial misstep was the choice of releasing Sikandar on a Sunday—an eerie repetition of the mistake made with Tiger 3. Eid releases are traditionally scheduled on Fridays to maximize weekend collections, but Sikandar followed a different path, and the results were far from desirable.
Adding to the intrigue is the name Sikandar. While the name historically signifies a victorious warrior (a reference to Alexander the Great), Salman’s association with it has not brought him the same fortune. This marks the second time he has played a character named Sikandar, and both instances have resulted in box office disappointments. The film in its three day run at box office has been able to earn only Rs74.5 crore despite the Eid holiday.
Source: Times of India
Bd-pratidin English/ Afia
