The year 2026's first Hindi theatrical release, the much-hyped war drama 'Ikkis', has stumbled badly at the box office. Starring debutant Agastya Nanda, the film has witnessed a sharp downward trend in its earnings, culminating in its lowest single-day collection yet on its fifth day in cinemas.
A Disappointing Debut for Agastya Nanda
Marking the big-screen debut of Amitabh Bachchan's grandson, Agastya Nanda, 'Ikkis' arrived with significant anticipation. Directed by the acclaimed Sriram Raghavan, the film is a biopic of Paramvir Chakra awardee Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, a hero of the 1971 India-Pakistan war. Despite the patriotic subject and a cast featuring legends like Dharmendra in his final screen appearance, along with Jaideep Ahlawat and Sikander Kher, the film has failed to connect with audiences.
According to a Sacnilk box office report, 'Ikkis' managed to scrape together only Rs 1.35 crore on its fifth day (Monday, January 5, 2026). This poor performance follows a first weekend that failed to build momentum. The film opened on Thursday, January 1, 2026, with a collection of Rs 7 crore, which dropped to Rs 3.5 crore on Friday. While it saw minor bumps over the weekend with Rs 4.65 crore on Saturday and Rs 5 crore on Sunday, the crucial Monday test revealed a lack of audience holding power.
Day-Wise Box Office Breakdown
The collections tell a clear story of decline:
- Day 1 (Thursday): Rs 7 crore
- Day 2 (Friday): Rs 3.5 crore
- Day 3 (Saturday): Rs 4.65 crore
- Day 4 (Sunday): Rs 5 crore
- Day 5 (Monday): Rs 1.35 crore
With these numbers, the total domestic box office collection for 'Ikkis' now stands at a modest Rs 21.50 crore. This is a particularly weak showing considering it was a solo release with no major competition, failing to capitalize on the open field.
How 'Ikkis' Stacks Up Against Other Releases
The film's trajectory is being compared to another underperformer, the Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday starrer 'Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri'. That romantic comedy, on its 12th day (2nd Monday, also January 5), earned a meager Rs 0.30 crore, bringing its total to Rs 32.30 crore as it struggles to cross the Rs 35 crore mark.
In stark contrast, Aditya Dhar's espionage thriller 'Dhurandhar' continues to demonstrate strong legs. On its 32nd day in theatres (January 5), it earned Rs 4.5 crore, which is more than the combined Monday collections of both 'Ikkis' and 'Tu Meri Main Tera...'. 'Dhurandhar' has become a monumental success, with its total India net collection soaring to an impressive Rs 776.75 crore.
The Legacy of a War Hero and a Screen Icon
Beyond the box office numbers, 'Ikkis' holds emotional significance. It pays tribute to the bravery of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, one of India's youngest Paramvir Chakra recipients. Furthermore, it marks the final cinematic farewell to the iconic actor Dharmendra, whose presence adds a layer of poignancy to the film's release. Despite these elements, the Sriram Raghavan directorial has not translated critical intent into commercial success, leaving trade analysts and fans disappointed.
The coming days will be crucial to see if 'Ikkis' can stabilize its collections, but the drastic drop on its first Monday indicates a tough road ahead for Agastya Nanda's debut vehicle.
