The Indian film industry and its fans are still mourning the loss of the beloved veteran actor Dharmendra, who passed away on 24th November at the age of 89. However, audiences will have one last opportunity to see the iconic star on the silver screen. His final film, 'Ikkis', directed by Sriram Raghavan and featuring Amitabh Bachchan's grandson Agastya Nanda in a lead role, has now hit theaters on 1st January 2026.
KBC Promotion Turns Into A Heartfelt Tribute
As part of the promotional campaign for the new release, the team of 'Ikkis', including actor Agastya Nanda, director Sriram Raghavan, and co-star Jaideep Ahlawat, recently visited the sets of the popular quiz show 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' (KBC). The episode, hosted by Amitabh Bachchan, transformed into an emotional platform as Bachchan paid a moving tribute to his dear friend and longtime co-star, Dharmendra.
Bachchan spoke with immense warmth and admiration for the late actor, calling him a 'valiant giant' who has left an irreplaceable void. The host fondly remembered their long collaboration, having worked together in nearly half a dozen films including classics like Sholay, Chupke Chupke, Ram Balram, and Dost.
The Hilarious 'Sholay' Anecdote That Revealed Dharam Ji's Strength
In a particularly memorable moment, Amitabh Bachchan recalled a funny incident from the sets of their iconic 1975 film 'Sholay', which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2025. The film was written by Salim-Javed and directed by Ramesh Sippy. Bachchan revealed how Dharmendra's physical strength inadvertently contributed to one of his most famous scenes.
He narrated, "One of his physical qualities he possessed was that he was a bodybuilder, and I got to witness his strength firsthand. In my death sequence in Sholay, where I am shown writhing in pain – that writhing happened because of him. Dharam ji had held me so tightly (laughs)... my acting there became extremely natural because of that." This heartfelt and humorous recollection offered fans a rare, behind-the-scenes glimpse into the camaraderie shared by the two legends.
'Ikkis' Defies The January Curse With Strong Opening
Meanwhile, Dharmendra's cinematic swan song, 'Ikkis', is receiving a positive response from both critics and audiences. Early reports indicate that the film is performing robustly at the box office and is all set to touch the Rs 2 crore mark by its afternoon shows on its release day.
This is a significant achievement, as films releasing in the first week of January often struggle at the ticket window, a phenomenon sometimes referred to as the 'January curse'. If 'Ikkis' continues its strong performance, it could signal a break from this trend for the year 2026. The film's success serves as a fitting tribute to the enduring legacy of Dharmendra, allowing fans to celebrate his work one final time in theaters.
