The war drama Ikkis, marking the big-screen debut of Agastya Nanda, has hit a major roadblock at the box office. The film, which opened last week, witnessed its lowest single-day collection yet on its fifth day in theatres, a crucial Monday. According to data from industry tracker Sacnilk, the Sriram Raghavan directorial managed to mint only Rs 1.35 crore on day five, taking its total India net collection to approximately Rs 21.5 crore.
A Sharp Decline After Opening Weekend
The Monday figures represent a stark drop from the film's weekend performance, clearly failing the traditional 'Monday test' that indicates a film's staying power. The sharp decline suggests the film is struggling to attract audiences beyond its initial opening. The overall occupancy rate for the film on Monday averaged a meagre 9.17%. The breakdown shows morning shows had a dismal 4.78% occupancy, afternoon shows improved slightly to 8.58%, while evening and night shows recorded 11.21% and 12.11%, respectively.
This performance places Ikkis in a precarious position. The film needs to quickly reverse this downward trend to prevent theatres from reducing shows, which would make a financial recovery nearly impossible. The film's release timing has been challenging, as it clashed with the dominant screen presence of another major release, Dhurandhar. However, analysts note that Dhurandhar's own momentum had slowed earlier in the year.
High Stakes for Debutant and a Legend's Final Bow
The box office performance of Ikkis carries significant emotional and career weight. For lead actor Agastya Nanda, this is his first theatrical release after his digital debut in Zoya Akhtar's The Archies on Netflix. The film's success is crucial for establishing his bankability in cinemas. Furthermore, Ikkis holds profound sentimental value as it is the final film of the legendary actor Dharmendra, who passed away in November. Fans and the industry alike were hoping for a successful send-off for the veteran star.
The film also features a strong supporting cast including Jaideep Ahlawat, Simar Bhatia, and Rahul Dev. Directed by Sriram Raghavan, known for his thrillers, Ikkis is a departure into the war epic genre. It narrates the real-life heroic story of Late Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal PVC, a Param Vir Chakra awardee.
A Crowded Box Office Battlefield
The competition at the box office is fierce. Ikkis is not only battling the holdover release Dhurandhar but also faces competition from the international blockbuster Avatar: Fire and Ash and the newer Hindi release Tu Meri Main Tera. While the Avatar sequel continues to draw crowds, the other domestic competitor has also struggled to find a strong foothold.
With a total of Rs 21.5 crore in five days, the film's earnings are decent but not exceptional for a film of its scale and hype. All eyes are now on whether Ikkis can show resilience in the coming weekdays and the following weekend, or if the Monday slump signals the beginning of a swift exit from theatres. The coming days will be critical for Agastya Nanda's cinematic journey and for honouring Dharmendra's final performance.
