The Bollywood box office of 2026 has ignited with a compelling clash between a highly anticipated debut and an established star's romantic comedy. The war drama 'Ikkis', marking the first film of star kids Agastya Nanda (Amitabh Bachchan's grandson) and Simar Bhatia (Akshay Kumar's niece), has taken a lead over Kartik Aaryan's 'Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri' in its initial days.
Box Office Numbers: A Tale of Two Films
According to the latest trade data, 'Ikkis' opened its account on Thursday with a collection of Rs 7 crore. The momentum continued on its second day (Friday), where early estimates show it has earned approximately Rs 1.01 crore. This brings the film's total India net collection to around Rs 8.01 crore.
In contrast, Kartik Aaryan's rom-com had a softer opening. 'Tu Meri Main Tera' managed Rs 1.35 crore on Thursday. Its Friday figures, as per current reports, are below the Rs 50 lakh mark. The film is progressing slowly and is yet to cross the Rs 30 crore milestone in its total run.
The Emotional Pull and Competitive Edge
The performance of 'Ikkis' is notable for several reasons beyond its star-studded debutants. The film holds significant emotional value for audiences as it features the final screen appearance of the legendary actor Dharmendra, following his passing. This poignant fact has been a major talking point and likely a driving force for viewers.
Despite opening in single digits, the Sriram Raghavan-directed war drama has managed to outpace the box office numbers of Kartik Aaryan's contemporary release. The competition highlights the audience's divided attention between a gritty war narrative and a light-hearted romantic offering at the start of the year.
Meanwhile, 'Dhurandhar' Continues Its Record Run
While the new releases battle it out, another film is scripting history in its fifth week. The blockbuster 'Dhurandhar' has added Rs 2.79 crore to its tally on its 29th day (Friday). This phenomenal run has propelled its India net total to a staggering Rs 741.79 crore, cementing its place as an all-time great in Indian cinema.
The early box office trend of 2026 showcases a diverse audience appetite. While 'Ikkis' leverages emotional legacy and fresh faces to find its footing, the industry watches to see if it can maintain its lead and achieve its reported target of hitting the Rs 10 crore mark on its first Friday. All figures mentioned are approximate and based on industry estimates.
