Sriram Raghavan's biographical war film, Ikkis, has concluded its first weekend in theatres with modest numbers, facing stiff competition from bigger commercial releases. The film, which opened on New Year's Day, saw its collections stabilize somewhat over the weekend after a sharp dip on its second day.
Ikkis Box Office Performance: A Detailed Breakdown
The film began its theatrical journey on 1 January 2026 with a solid opening day collection of ₹7 crore, significantly aided by the New Year holiday. However, business witnessed a steep decline on Day 2, with earnings falling to ₹3.5 crore. A partial recovery was seen on Saturday, the third day, as the film garnered ₹4.65 crore.
On its fourth day, which was the first Sunday, Ikkis added an estimated ₹3.97 crore to its kitty, as per early trade estimates. This brings the total domestic net collection for the four-day period to approximately ₹19.12 crore.
Theatre Occupancy Reflects Mixed Audience Response
Occupancy data for Sunday paints a picture of gradual audience engagement through the day. Morning shows struggled with low footfalls, recording an occupancy of only 9.74%. Interest picked up in the afternoon, with attendance rising to 28.15%. The best turnout was for evening shows, which saw occupancy reach 37.23%.
This trend indicates that while the film is finding some traction with audiences preferring later screenings, its overall pull remains moderate. The crucial weekdays ahead will be key in determining whether Ikkis can build sustainable momentum.
Behind the Scenes: The Making of a War Epic
Ikkis is a poignant tribute to Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, the youngest recipient of India's highest military honour, the Param Vir Chakra. The narrative focuses on his heroic actions during the Battle of Basantar in the 1971 India-Pakistan War and his ultimate martyrdom at the age of 21. The story also spans decades later, depicting a visit to Pakistan by his father, Brigadier Madan Lal Khetarpal.
The film carries significant emotional weight for multiple reasons. It marks the final screen appearance of veteran actor Dharmendra, who, reports indicate, faced health challenges during dubbing in October 2025. To ensure continuity, his son Bobby Deol lent his voice for the younger versions of Dharmendra's character, a contribution specially acknowledged in the credits.
This project also represents a first for director Sriram Raghavan, as it is his maiden film to employ extensive Visual Effects (VFX). The VFX was crucial in enhancing the large-scale battle sequences and recreating the 1971 war setting. A notable challenge was depicting tank warfare involving Centurion tanks, which are no longer operational. The production team addressed this by building three full-scale Centurion tanks from scratch to achieve authenticity in the combat scenes.
Leading the cast is Agastya Nanda, making his theatrical debut in the role of Arun Khetarpal. His preparation was exceptionally rigorous, involving a two-to-three-year physical and military training program. This preparation included training stints with the Indian Army, the Poona Horse regiment, time at the National Defence Academy in Khadakwasla, Pune, and specialized tank training in Aurangabad.
Despite its limited box office run so far, Ikkis has been met with positive critical reception, particularly praised for its restrained storytelling and powerful performances. Its fate in the coming days will reveal if word-of-mouth and its patriotic subject can help it navigate the competitive theatrical landscape.
