Ikkis: Dharmendra’s Final Salute Opens Strong amid Dhurandhar’s Box Office Storm

Dharmendra’s farewell film Ikkis, helmed by the ever-unpredictable Sriram Raghavan, has stepped into cinemas with a quiet confidence and a promising opening-day performance. The numbers matter even more because the box office is currently dominated by Ranveer Singh’s juggernaut Dhurandhar, which continues to redraw commercial benchmarks.

Opening Day Performance: A Closer Look

According to trade-tracking platform Sacnilk, Ikkis collected approximately ₹7 crore across the domestic box office on its first day. While the figure may not appear colossal in isolation, its trajectory through the day tells a more compelling story.

Audience interest gathered momentum steadily, largely propelled by positive word-of-mouth. Morning shows began on a restrained note with 12.09% occupancy. By afternoon, attendance surged to 35.29%, signaling growing curiosity. Evening shows strengthened the film’s footing further, recording a solid 46.77% turnout. Night shows closed the day with a respectable 33.62% footfall, underlining sustained viewer engagement rather than fleeting hype.

The Dhurandhar Phenomenon Continues

Meanwhile, Dhurandhar remains an unstoppable force. Released on December 5, the Ranveer Singh starrer has completed four weeks in theatres without losing steam. The film has now amassed over ₹750 crore domestically, reinforcing its status as one of the most formidable box office performers in recent times.

Critical Reception: Substance Over Spectacle

In his review for NDTV, senior film critic Saibal Chatterjee awarded Ikkis a commendable 3.5 out of 5 stars. He noted that while the film may never approach the financial windfall enjoyed by Dhurandhar, it stands as proof that Hindi cinema still has filmmakers who resist trend-chasing. Chatterjee praised the film’s moral clarity and restraint, describing it as a war narrative that prioritizes sanity and conviction over bombast. His verdict was clear: Ikkis is far from a conventional Hindi war film and deserves to be experienced on the big screen.

About the Film

Ikkis marks the final on-screen appearance of Dharmendra, lending the project an added layer of emotional gravity. The film is inspired by the life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, a Param Vir Chakra awardee who laid down his life during the Battle of Basantar in the 1971 India-Pakistan War. The title references the age, just 21, at which Khetarpal attained martyrdom.

Sharing pivotal roles with Dharmendra are Agastya Nanda and Jaideep Ahlawat, both delivering performances that anchor the film’s emotional and historical weight.

In an era driven by spectacle and scale, Ikkis arrives as a restrained, resolute cinematic farewell, one that values remembrance over roar.