The year 2026 has ushered in a significant cinematic debut, marking the arrival of a new star from Bollywood's most illustrious family. Agastya Nanda, grandson of the legendary Amitabh Bachchan, stepped into the spotlight with his first film, the war drama 'Ikkis', which hit theatres on January 1, 2026.
A Grand Debut and a Poignant Farewell
Directed by the acclaimed Sriram Raghavan, 'Ikkis' is a poignant tribute based on the life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, PVC. The film's ensemble cast is notable not just for introducing Agastya Nanda but also for featuring the final screen appearance of the beloved veteran actor, Dharmendra. This adds a layer of historical significance to the project, making it a cinematic event that blends fresh talent with a legendary farewell.
The film opened to a promising start at the box office, collecting a solid Rs 7 crore net in India on its opening day. This set a strong foundation for the debutante's launch. While the film experienced a drop on its second day, earning Rs 3.5 crore net as per industry tracker Sacnilk, its two-day India total stands at a respectable Rs 10.5 crore net. The worldwide collection for the initial two days has reached approximately Rs 12.5 crore.
Ikkis Outperforms a Major Rom-Com
Despite the day-two dip, 'Ikkis' has managed to carve its own space in a competitive market. A key highlight of its performance is that its combined Thursday and Friday collections have surpassed the earnings of the recent Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday starrer, 'Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri'. The rom-com had managed only Rs 1.3 crore on Thursday and a mere Rs 0.5 crore on Friday, struggling to make a mark domestically.
This comparison underscores a shifting audience interest and positions Agastya Nanda's serious, patriotic debut as having stronger initial pull than a established star's comedy. However, the road ahead is not without challenges.
The Dhurandhar Dominance Continues
The true box office Goliath that 'Ikkis' faces is the runaway blockbuster 'Dhurandhar', starring Ranveer Singh. While 'Ikkis' outperformed the smaller rom-com, it could not match the might of 'Dhurandhar', which continued its stellar run by earning over Rs 8 crore on the same Thursday.
'Dhurandhar' is a cinematic juggernaut, now in its 29th day and racing towards the Rs 750 crore mark in the Indian market. Its global footprint is even more impressive, having amassed over Rs 1160 crore worldwide. This sets a high bar for all new releases, including 'Ikkis', which is trying to maintain a steady pace amidst this colossal competition.
The coming days will be crucial for 'Ikkis' to demonstrate legs at the ticket windows. The film's performance, blending the emotional weight of its subject, a historic debut, and a veteran's final bow, has certainly captured attention. Whether it transforms this initial interest into sustained box office success remains the key question as it navigates the post-release landscape.
