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Summary – Salman Khan’s much-anticipated Eid release ‘Sikandar’ faced an unexpected panoti mishap on launch day, leaving fans amused and theaters scrambling.,
Article –
Salman Khan’s highly awaited Eid release, ‘Sikandar’, experienced a rather unexpected panoti mishap during its premiere on March 30, turning what was supposed to be a grand celebration into a comedy of errors in theaters across India.
What Went Wrong?
The film starring Salman Khan and Rashmika Mandanna encountered multiple technical issues at launch:
- Projection glitches
- Mistimed subtitles
- Power outages
- Confusing alternate movies playing on some screens
- Delays of up to 45 minutes in some theaters
In Mumbai’s cinema district, audiences waiting excitedly were instead greeted with blank screens or Bollywood classics due to these disruptions. The incident quickly became a source of amusement on social media, inspiring memes and tweets mocking the delays and technical failures.
Who Slipped Up?
The Mumbai Multiplex Management (MMM), which manages eight major venues premiering Sikandar, bore much of the blame. A spokesperson revealed that a last-minute update to the cinemas’ digital projector software caused compatibility problems. Additionally, a communication lapse delayed technical teams from arriving on time.
The distributor admitted to underestimating the complexity and precision required for such a large-scale release, which compounded the technical setbacks. This resulted in a chaotic but humorous premiere night.
Eyewitness Chuckles
Fans and viewers reacted with good humor despite the inconvenience:
- Aarav Patel from Pune recalled staff joking about “prayers” fixing the projector.
- Rashmika Mandanna’s fansite shared a viral tweet about popcorn outlasting the delayed screening.
- Photos of empty screens and confused crowds circulated widely online.
Official Facepalms
MMM soon issued a formal apology and promised refunds as well as free passes to all affected moviegoers. The local film board imposed a ₹200,000 fine on MMM for not meeting operational standards on premiere day, describing it as a wake-up call.
Salman Khan personally addressed the fans, apologizing for the technical problems and thanking everyone for their support despite the setbacks.
What Happens Next?
Following the premiere issues, MMM took immediate measures:
- Repaired all technical equipment overnight.
- Conducted thorough checks before further screenings.
- Deployed monitoring teams across cities to ensure smooth showings.
The filmmakers also offered an online screening option for those who missed the initial release, helping Sikandar regain momentum over the following days with increased ticket sales and positive word-of-mouth.
This incident serves as a reminder that even large, well-planned events can face unpredictable technical challenges. Despite the initial slip-up, Sikandar continues to entertain audiences, proving that sometimes the show indeed must go on!
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