In an unprecedented face-off, Sikandar, Salman Khan’s latest action-packed release, is going head-to-head with L2 Empuraan, the highly anticipated sequel to Lucifer starring superstar Mohanlal. This marks the first time a Malayalam film has directly competed with a Bollywood blockbuster in such a high-stakes box office battle, as two of India’s biggest film industries—Bollywood and Malayalam—battle it out for supremacy.
Opening Day Numbers: L2 Empuraan Takes the Lead
On its release day, L2 Empuraan made history by becoming the highest-grossing Malayalam film on opening day, collecting a whopping ₹65 crore worldwide. The film broke all previous records and set a new benchmark for Malayalam cinema. In contrast, Sikandar had a solid start, earning ₹60 crore worldwide on its opening day. Despite the strong showing from Salman Khan’s film, Mohanlal’s L2 Empuraan edged ahead by ₹5 crore, making waves across the Indian film industry, including Bollywood.
Promotional Power Plays and Eid Holiday Boost
Both films have been backed by aggressive marketing and creative promotional strategies. Special pre-release events, social media campaigns, and exclusive interviews have generated massive buzz for both films. With the extended Eid weekend, both movies are expected to see a surge in collections.
The Stakes for Salman Khan and Mohanlal
For Salman Khan, Sikandar is a crucial release, especially considering his recent box office challenges. A hit here could help him bounce back into the spotlight. On the other hand, L2 Empuraan has already been a game-changer for Mohanlal and Malayalam cinema, opening doors to new territories and setting records that could have a lasting impact on the industry.
What’s Next? The Battle for Long-Term Success
Trade analysts predict that L2 Empuraan could easily cross the ₹400 crore mark, while Sikandar is expected to reach at least ₹200 crore. However, the real challenge lies in sustaining momentum after the initial hype. Can L2 Empuraan maintain its lead, or will Sikandar catch up? The battle for box office supremacy is just beginning, and fans are in for an exciting ride!
