The extended opening weekend for Sriram Raghavan's period war drama 'Ikkis' has concluded with a respectable total, as the film managed to carve out its own space despite facing a major competitor. The movie, which marks the theatrical debut of Agastya Nanda and features the legendary Dharmendra in his final screen appearance, has earned Rs 20.15 crore in India over its first four days, according to industry tracker Sacnilk.
A Steady Performance Over the Holiday Weekend
The film's journey began on a high note, capitalizing on the New Year's Day holiday to rake in Rs 7 crore on its opening day. While the collections dipped to Rs 3.50 crore on Friday, they saw a healthy uptick over the weekend. Saturday brought in Rs 4.65 crore, followed by a further rise to Rs 5 crore on its first Sunday (Day 4). This incremental growth indicates steady audience interest, a positive sign for a film led by a newcomer.
For Agastya Nanda, grandson of Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan, this is a crucial theatrical debut after his digital premiere in 'The Archies'. In 'Ikkis', he portrays the real-life war hero Arun Kheterpal. The film also introduces Simar Bhatia, niece of actor Akshay Kumar.
Standing Tall Against a Box Office Juggernaut
The most notable aspect of 'Ikkis's' performance is its ability to hold its own against Aditya Dhar's blockbuster 'Dhurandhar', starring Ranveer Singh. This was achieved through a combination of factors. The film offers a different political perspective on the Indo-Pak conflict compared to 'Dhurandhar'. Furthermore, it serves as an emotional tribute to the beloved Dharmendra, who passed away recently.
A strategic screen-sharing arrangement also played a role, with producer Dinesh Vijan's Maddock Films ensuring that distributor Jio Studios allocated 50% of 'Dhurandhar's' screens to 'Ikkis'. Despite this advantage, 'Dhurandhar' continues its dominant run. On its fifth Sunday, 'Dhurandhar' earned a massive Rs 12.75 crore, more than double what 'Ikkis' collected on its own first Sunday.
Comparing Raghavan's Filmography and Newcomer Benchmarks
When placed alongside director Sriram Raghavan's previous works, 'Ikkis' shows a stronger start than some. It has outperformed his 2023 film 'Merry Christmas', which earned Rs 11.65 crore in four days, and even his acclaimed hit 'Andhadhun' (2018), which collected Rs 18 crore in the same period. However, it could not match the opening of his 2015 film 'Badlapur', which had garnered Rs 27.50 crore.
The film's earnings, while decent, are not in the league of record-breaking newcomer-led films. It was highlighted that the 2023 romantic drama 'Saiyaara', starring Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, earned more on its opening day last July than 'Ikkis' has in its entire extended weekend. 'Saiyaara' holds the record for the highest-grossing Indian film with newcomers, amassing Rs 329.20 crore domestically.
The true test for 'Ikkis' begins now, as it faces its first Monday at the box office, a key indicator of its staying power. The competition remains fierce, not only from the unstoppable 'Dhurandhar' but also from the impending re-release of the comedy 'Kis Kis Ko Pyaar Karoon 2' on January 9. The coming week will determine whether the film can sustain its initial momentum and build a successful theatrical run.
