Salman Khan’s Sikandar faces Box office and Piracy setback, suffers Rs 91 crore loss!

When a Salman Khan film hits cinemas, box office fireworks are usually expected. But this time, the magic fizzled. Sikandar, the big-ticket Eid release directed by AR Murugadoss and backed by Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment, failed to meet expectations—both critically and commercially. While the film struggled to win over audiences, what added to its woes was a major setback even before its first show: a high-definition pirated version of Sikandar was leaked online, wreaking havoc on its box office potential. Now, the production house is reportedly preparing to file a massive ₹91 crore insurance claim to recover piracy-related losses turning this into one of Bollywood’s most high-profile piracy cases in recent years.

Adding salt to the wound, Sikandar was hit by a massive piracy leak on the eve of its theatrical release. Not just a grainy cam print, the leak was a high-definition version, circulated widely through notorious torrent platforms like Tamilrockers, Movierulz, and Filmyzilla.

The pirated version, surprisingly different from the theatrical cut, included unfinished VFX scenes and several sequences omitted from the final release. Industry watchers say the leak significantly impacted footfall and region-wise occupancy.

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Rs 91 Crore Piracy Loss Triggers Insurance Move

Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment (NGE), the production house behind Sikandar, has reportedly initiated a ₹91 crore insurance claim for losses attributed to piracy. According to a Bollywood Hungama report, an audit by Ernst & Young quantified the damage based on box office projections, theatre-wise trends, and piracy download data collected using digital tracking tools.

A source said, “The EnY report clearly mapped the loss, estimating it at ₹91 crore following a detailed audit of digital footprints and sales trends.”

Bollywood on Edge as Claim Process Begins

If NGE proceeds with the insurance claim, it could set a precedent for the industry in battling the menace of digital piracy. It remains to be seen how much of the ₹91 crore is recovered, but the development has already stirred significant interest within film trade circles.

Meanwhile, NGE has kept its production line moving. After Sikandar’s Eid release, the studio dropped Housefull 5 over Bakri Eid and is now prepping Baaghi 4 for a September release. Despite setbacks, it’s clear the banner is not slowing down.