The Bollywood spotlight shone brightly on a new generation yesterday as Agastya Nanda, grandson of megastar Amitabh Bachchan, made his much-anticipated cinematic debut. His first film, the war drama 'Ikkis', hit theaters on January 1, 2026. However, the release was tinged with poignancy as it also became the final screen appearance of the late legendary actor Dharmendra, who passed away recently. The film opened to a modest but noteworthy single-digit figure at the domestic box office on its first day.
Opening Day Numbers and Audience Response
According to industry tracker Sacnilk, 'Ikkis' collected approximately Rs 7 crore in India on its opening day, Thursday. This is considered a respectable start for a debutant lead actor, especially for a biographical war film. For context, the report compares it to the rom-com 'Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri', which featured established stars and earned Rs 7.75 crore on its first day.
The film recorded an overall Hindi occupancy of 31.94% on its opening day. This viewing figure carries significant emotional weight, as it represents the audience turnout for veteran Dharmendra's posthumous and final performance.
A Film of Firsts and Lasts
'Ikkis' is a project marked by profound symbolism. For Agastya Nanda, it is the beginning of his big-screen journey. For the industry and fans, it is the farewell to a beloved icon. Directed by Sriram Raghavan, the film is a biopic of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, PVC, who was martyred at the age of 21 during the 1971 Indo-Pak War. The title 'Ikkis' (meaning twenty-one in Hindi) honors his age at the time of his supreme sacrifice.
The ensemble cast includes Jaideep Ahlawat, Simar Bhatia, Sikander Kher, Shree Bhishnoi, and Ekavali Khanna alongside Nanda and Dharmendra. The film was initially scheduled for a December 25, 2025 release but was postponed to avoid clashing with the box office juggernaut 'Dhurandhar'. Producer Dinesh Vijan emphasized that 'Ikkis' deserved a solo release window.
Box Office Landscape and Future Prospects
The release of 'Ikkis' comes at a time when 'Dhurandhar' continues its phenomenal run. Now in its fourth week, 'Dhurandhar' added Rs 15.75 crore on its 28th day (4th Thursday), taking its staggering India net total to about Rs 739 crore. This sets a competitive backdrop for the new release.
All eyes are now on how 'Ikkis' performs over the crucial first weekend. The combination of a debutant from Bollywood's first family, a respected director's vision, a powerful true story, and the emotional draw of Dharmendra's last act could influence its word-of-mouth and collections in the coming days. The film's journey at the box office is just beginning, and its performance will be closely watched by trade analysts and audiences alike.
