Sriram Raghavan’s war drama Ikkis, starring Agastya Nanda, is set to release on January 1, 2026, after being postponed from its original Christmas release due to the ongoing success of Dhurandhar. Early trends suggest a muted start for the film, which tells the story of 2nd Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, the youngest Param Vir Chakra recipient in history, and also marks the final screen appearance of legendary actor Dharmendra.
Advance Booking & Opening Estimates
Trade sources report that by the eve of its release, Ikkis had sold just over 30,000 tickets, crossing slightly above ₹1 crore in advance bookings. With occupancy below 5% and only three houseful shows out of 3,600 scheduled, the advance buzz is considered weak.
Based on these trends, industry experts predict Ikkis may open domestically at around ₹2 crore net on its first day. Overseas demand is also expected to be limited, with anything beyond ₹3–4 crore worldwide considered a bonus.
Competition from Dhurandhar
Despite some single screens being reallocated from Dhurandhar to accommodate Ikkis, the Ranveer Singh starrer continues to dominate theatres. On January 1, in its fourth week, Dhurandhar is expected to earn over ₹10 crore, demonstrating an exceptional hold even against new releases.
About Ikkis
The film follows the life of Arun Khetarpal and commemorates his bravery and sacrifice. Alongside Agastya Nanda, Dharmendra’s final performance adds a poignant note to the film’s release, following the actor’s passing last month, just weeks before his 90th birthday. Ikkis will release across 4,000 screens in India.