A Salman Khan Film Without a Grand Trailer Launch?
With just a week left before the release of Sikandar on March 30, the film’s trailer will finally be unveiled on March 23. However, in a break from tradition, there will be no grand trailer launch event, marking a stark contrast to Salman Khan’s past Eid blockbusters.
The reason? Security concerns and last-minute post-production work.
Why Is Sikandar‘s Trailer Arriving Late?
The Sikandar last-minute trailer release has left fans and trade analysts puzzled. Unlike Salman Khan’s previous Eid releases, which had massive promotional campaigns, Sikandar has had minimal marketing so far.
Reports suggest two key reasons behind the delay:
1. Security Concerns Behind a Canceled Event
According to multiple sources, Sikandar was initially planned to have a grand trailer launch event. However, threats from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and a recent attack on Salman Khan’s residence in Mumbai forced the makers to opt for a digital launch instead.
Even with Z+ security, Salman has chosen to promote the film online rather than at public events, leading to speculation about whether this could impact the film’s opening.
2. A Post-Production Delay or a Marketing Strategy?
Director AR Murugadoss, in an interview with ANI, addressed the trailer delay, stating:
“We have just now finished the shoot. So, all the departments are busy with the craft. We are working on it. The CGI work is going on, the music is going on. We have to deliver the best.”
This confirms that the Sikandar last-minute trailer release may not be a marketing strategy, but rather a necessity due to ongoing VFX and editing work.
Will a Late Trailer Release Hurt Sikandar?
1. Salman Khan Films Usually Have Longer Promotional Windows
Historically, Salman Khan’s Eid releases have relied on early marketing strategies to maximize hype:
- Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015) – Trailer launched two months before release, creating massive anticipation.
- Sultan (2016) – Had a teaser and full-length trailer weeks ahead of release.
- Tiger 3 (2023) – Multiple teasers before the official trailer.
Unlike these films, Sikandar has remained low-key, relying on Salman Khan’s star power alone.
2. Does a Late Trailer Work in Bollywood?
Bollywood films typically drop trailers at least two weeks before release to allow enough time for audience engagement. Some of the biggest hits followed this model:
- Pathaan (2023) – Trailer released 16 days before release, but backed by strong pre-release buzz.
- Jawan (2023) – Months of teaser-driven marketing kept fans engaged.
A late trailer can be risky if the buzz isn’t strong enough—especially with Sikandar‘s advance booking announcements tied to the trailer launch.
Box Office Expectations: Hit or Miss?
Despite the delayed trailer, Sikandar is expected to have a massive opening, with trade analysts predicting an opening of ₹40-45 crore, potentially surpassing Bharat’s ₹42.30 crore day-one collection.
However, Sunday releases often face slower openings—Tiger 3 experienced a lower-than-expected day-one collection due to its Sunday release, despite strong hype.
Also, with only a week between the trailer release and the film’s debut, advance bookings may not peak as high as expected.
Censor Board Certification and Film Duration
Sikandar has been granted a UA 13+ certificate by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), indicating it’s suitable for audiences aged 13 and above with parental guidance. The film’s total runtime is confirmed at 150.8 minutes.
Will Sikandar Overcome Its Promotional Challenges?
With Sikandar‘s first trailer finally dropping on March 23, all eyes are on whether this last-minute marketing push will be enough.
- If the trailer delivers, it could boost last-minute promotions and ticket sales.
- If buzz remains low, the film might struggle to generate record-breaking numbers.
While security concerns and post-production factors have played a role, the lack of traditional promotions for an Eid release remains unusual.
Is this a bold new marketing experiment, or is Sikandar facing underlying issues? We’ll find out soon.
What do you think? Will Sikandar break records despite its late promotions?
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