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Amid criticism over the poor box office performance of Salman Khan’s latest film Sikandar, fellow actor and longtime friend Akshay Kumar has come out in support of the star. During a special screening of his upcoming film ‘Kesari Chapter 2’ in Delhi, Akshay dismissed claims that big stars are losing their box office pull. “Dekhiye yeh galat baat hai. Aisa hai, aisa ho nahi sakta hai. Tiger Zinda hai aur hamesha rahega. Salman aisi nasal ka tiger jo zindagi mein kabhi marr nahi sakta,” he said. ‘The Great Moose Migration’ captivates devoted fans of Swedish slow TV sensation ["Look, this is wrong. This can't be. The tiger is alive and will always remain alive. Salman is the kind of tiger who can never die in his lifetime," he said.] Akshay and Salman, who began their film careers around the same time, have shared screen space in popular films such as Mujhse Shaadi Karogi and Jaan-E-Mann, and continue to share a strong camaraderie. With inputs form Hindustan Times

Salman Khan’s much-anticipated Eid release Sikandar is struggling at the box office. Following a strong opening, the film saw a sharp decline in earnings after the Eid holiday. On Wednesday (April 2), the Salman Khan and Rashmika Mandanna-starrer witnessed a 50% drop, collecting Rs 9.75 crore, according to Sacnilk. Released on March 30, Sikandar earned Rs 26 crore on its opening day. The film saw a boost on Eid, collecting Rs 29 crore, followed by Rs 19.5 crore on Tuesday (April 1). After four days, its total domestic earnings stand at Rs 84.25 crore (net), while the production cost is estimated at Rs 200 crore. The underperformance of big-budget Bollywood films has reignited discussions about the industry's struggles. Sikandar’s box office performance is expected to add to the ongoing debate. In comparison, Pushpa 2, which dominated the box office in December 2024, earned Rs 85 crore (net) in Hindi on its fourth day (December 8). The film also brings the South vs Hindi cinema debate into focus once again. Sikandar marks Salman Khan and Rashmika Mandanna’s first on-screen collaboration. It also marks the actor’s first project with AR Murugadoss, who previously directed Aamir Khan in the 2008 blockbuster Ghajini. Produced by Sajid Nadiadwala’s Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment, Sikandar outperformed Salman Khan’s previous Eid release Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, which earned Rs 15 crore on its opening day. However, it fell short of Tiger Zinda Hai, which had a stronger start with Rs 33 crore on its first day. Source: NDTV

Bollywood star Salman Khan made a heartfelt gesture at the trailer launch of his upcoming film, Sikandar, by bringing along his 89-year-old father, veteran screenwriter Salim Khan. The event, held in Mumbai on Sunday evening, saw Salman assisting his father as they arrived at the venue. In a touching moment, Salman was seen walking closely beside Salim, offering support as they climbed the stairs. Surrounded by paparazzi, the actor ensured his father’s comfort and safety. Dressed elegantly in a blue blazer over a deep blue shirt with matching trousers, Salman looked dapper as he attended the launch. He was joined on stage by his co-stars Rashmika Mandanna and Kajal Aggarwal, along with director AR Murugadoss. The actor engaged with the media and even delighted the audience by singing Lag Ja Gale on popular request. A portion of the song, featuring Salman and Rashmika, is included in the film’s soundtrack. The trailer presents Salman in a larger-than-life action role, portraying a character on a mission to dismantle a crime syndicate in Mumbai. Rashmika plays his love interest in the film, which is set for a theatrical release on March 30. BJP highlights real story behind John Abraham’s 'The Diplomat' Meanwhile, Salim Khan, an iconic figure in Indian cinema, is best known for his work with Javed Akhtar as part of the legendary screenwriting duo Salim-Javed. Their journey was chronicled in the docuseries Angry Young Men, released last year on Prime Video. With inputs from Indian media

Filmmaker AR Murugadoss has dismissed speculation that Salman Khan’s upcoming film Sikandar is a remake of Vijay’s Sarkar or inspired by Prashanth Neel’s Salaar. He clarified that the action entertainer features an entirely original storyline.  “This is a completely original story. Every scene and frame in Sikandar has been crafted with authenticity to deliver a fresh narrative and experience. It is not a remake or adaptation of any existing film,” Murugadoss said in a statement.  He also highlighted the contribution of composer Santosh Narayanan, whose background score enhances the film’s energetic tone. “His music complements the film’s visuals beautifully, adding emotional depth to every scene,” the director added.  Murugadoss is renowned for directing Tamil and Hindi films such as Ghajini, Thuppakki, Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty, and Sarkar.  Scheduled for release on Eid 2025, Sikandar features Salman Khan alongside Kajal Aggarwal and Rashmika Mandanna. While details of the plot remain undisclosed, Salman will reportedly sport a new look in the film.  Robert Downey Jr shapes doctor doom role in Avengers: Doomsday Recently, the makers unveiled the first song from the film, Zohra Jabeen, where Salman is seen expressing admiration for Rashmika’s beauty. In one of the visuals, he even kneels before her. The video’s caption read: "Celebrate this Eid with Sikandar and his #ZohraJabeen!"  The film is produced under Sajid Nadiadwala’s Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment banner. With inputs from Indian media

Bollywood, a powerhouse of storytelling and spectacle, is set to captivate audiences this March 2025 with an exciting lineup of highly anticipated releases. From action-packed thrillers and spine-chilling horrors to heartwarming musicals and gripping biopics, there’s something for every movie lover. With A-list stars and acclaimed directors leading the charge, these films are already generating major buzz. Here’s a curated look at the top 10 Hindi movies poised to dominate the box office and captivate audiences this March. Top 10 Must-see Hindi Movies Coming this March . The Diplomat | Thriller | March 07, 2025 Starring John Abraham, this intriguing thriller is directed by Shivam Nair and written by Ritesh Shah. At the heart of this gripping narrative lies an Indian diplomat’s relentless quest to bring an Indian girl back home from Pakistan.  Sadia Khateeb, Bhawani Muzamil, Kumud Mishra, Sharib Hashmi, Amitoj Mann, Jagjeet Sandhu, Sehar Shehnaz, and Vidhatri Bandi round out the supporting cast. Read more: Top Amazon Prime Originals to Binge-Watch in March 2025 The cinematic venture unites the production houses- Fortune Films, JA Entertainment, Seeta Films, T-Series, and Wakaoo Films. Hindi Vindi | Musical Drama | March 08, 2025 This musical follows Kabir, a teenage musician caught in a whirlwind of self-discovery as he races against time to compose a song in a language he does not speak. His internal conflict deepens when his Indian grandmother moves to Sydney, confronting him with a cultural and linguistic divide. Besides directing the film, Ali Sayed wrote it with Jayant Sharma and Swarnima Singh. Mihir Ahuja and Neena Gupta led the cast supported by Guy Sebastian, Mathew Swift, Davida Tal, Simran Gulati, and Pranam Janney. Read more: 10 Must-Watch Netflix English Originals Arriving in March 2025 The production credit goes to 24Six Films, Drishya Sharma Productions, and Shah Entertainment Media (Mumbai). Kesari Chapter 2 | Courtroom Drama | March 14, 2025 Also known as ‘The Untold Story of C Sankaran Nair’, this legal drama takes shape under the direction of Karan Singh Tyagi. The writing team includes Amritpal Bindra (Screenplay), Akshat Ghildial(dialogue), Sumit Saxena, and Tyagi. This biographical drama delves into the life of C. Sankaran Nair, a distinguished lawyer and former President of the Indian National Congress. The narrative unravels his unyielding pursuit of truth in exposing the grim reality behind the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Bankrolled by Cape of Good Films, Dharma Productions, and Leo Media Collective, the film stars Akshay Kumar, Madhavan, and Ananya Panday as lead characters. Read more: The Biggest Superhero Movies of 2025: Marvel, DC, and Beyond The additional cast members are Steven Hartley, Mark Bennington, Sammy Jonas Heaney, Krish Rao, and Moumita Pal. Kesari Veer | Historical Action | March 14, 2025 Penned by Kanu Chauhan and Shitiz Srivastava, this historical film boasts Prince Dhiman as the director. Rooted in history, this epic tale brings to life the valor of Hamirji Gohil, a fearless warrior who stood against the formidable Tughlaq Empire. His unwavering resolve to protect the Somnath Temple and uphold Hinduism transforms his story into a saga of sacrifice and unshakable devotion. Produced by Chauhan Studios, this action movie thrives with Sooraj Pancholi, Suniel Shetty, Akanksha Sharma, and Vivek Oberoi as lead actors. Read more: Top 10 most-anticipated Korean dramas releasing in February 2025 Aruna Irani, Barkha Bisht, Kiran Kumar, Meenakshi Chugh, and Vikas Bangar portray the supporting characters. Rai | Crime | March 15, 2025 Directed and written by Ram Gopal Varma, this crime movie features Vivek Oberoi as the titular character, with Karishma Tanna as the female lead. Inspired by real events, this riveting crime drama unpacks the life of Muthappa Rai, a wealthy businessman entangled in allegations of running a criminal empire. The film’s production is spearheaded by RGV Film Company and Eros Worldwide. Read more: February 2025 South Indian Movie Releases: Top 12 Must-Watch Films