The much-anticipated war drama Ikkis, marking the late veteran actor Dharmendra's final film appearance and the big-screen debut of Amitabh Bachchan's grandson Agastya Nanda, finally hit theatres on the New Year. However, its opening day was met with a formidable challenge from the reigning hit, Aditya Dhar's Dhurandhar, which is in its fourth week.
Modest Start for the War Drama
According to data from industry trackers, Ikkis opened its account with a collection of approximately ₹7 crore net in India on its first day, Thursday. The film registered an overall occupancy rate of 31.94% across the country. The footfall showed a steady increase as the day progressed.
The morning shows began with a modest 12.09% occupancy. Interest grew in the afternoon, with occupancy rising to 35.29%. The evening shows performed the best, recording a 46.77% occupancy rate. The night shows saw a slight dip, settling at 33.62%.
Dhurandhar Continues Its Dominance
In a direct box office clash, the Ranveer Singh-starrer Dhurandhar proved its sustained popularity even on its 28th day. Despite a 14.31% occupancy in morning shows, it witnessed a significant surge during prime time. Afternoon shows recorded a strong 48.54% occupancy, and evening shows were at 49.11%, outperforming Ikkis in these crucial slots. Night shows for Dhurandhar also drew a respectable 29.75% occupancy.
The competition extended beyond just occupancy and earnings. Dhurandhar also commanded a higher number of screenings nationwide, indicating continued audience demand and theatre owner confidence.
Screen Presence and Regional Performance
Ikkis opened with a moderate screen count, primarily concentrated in metro cities. The Delhi NCR region led with 632 shows, followed by Mumbai with 432 shows. Ahmedabad had 308 shows, while Pune and Hyderabad were allocated 175 and 133 shows, respectively. However, occupancy in cities like Surat (182 shows, 6.50%) and Ahmedabad (14.25%) remained relatively low.
Interestingly, southern markets like Chennai, with only 32 shows, and Bengaluru, with 136 shows, reported stronger occupancy percentages, suggesting a focused audience in these regions.
In stark contrast, Dhurandhar's market penetration remained robust. On its fourth Friday, it had 920 shows in Delhi NCR and 652 in Mumbai, surpassing Ikkis in its core circuits. It also led in Pune (318 shows), Bengaluru (306), and Ahmedabad (402). More impressively, Dhurandhar maintained solid occupancies in key cities: Bengaluru (56.25%), Chennai (60%), and Kolkata (44.50%).
About the Film 'Ikkis'
Helmed by acclaimed director Sriram Raghavan, Ikkis is a biographical war drama based on the life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, PVC, the youngest recipient of India's highest military honour, the Param Vir Chakra. The film serves as a poignant farewell not only for Dharmendra but also for the late actor Asrani. The cast includes Jaideep Ahlawat and Deepak Dobriyal in pivotal roles, and it is produced by Maddock Films.
The film's theatrical journey has begun, and its performance in the coming days will be crucial as it navigates the competitive landscape currently dominated by the unstoppable force of Dhurandhar.
