Ikkis Postponed to January 2026 Amidst Dhurandhar's Box Office Success

The highly awaited war film Ikkis, directed by Sriram Raghavan and based on the life of Param Vir Chakra awardee Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, has received a last-minute change to its release date. Instead of hitting theaters on December 25, it will now premiere on January 1, 2026.

Produced by Dinesh Vijan’s Maddock Films, Ikkis features Agastya Nanda in a significant role and showcases legendary actor Dharmendra, likely in his final film appearance. The production team made the strategic decision to delay its launch as Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar continues its record-smashing run at cinemas with packed screenings across the nation.

Dinesh Vijan emphasized that the postponement was a deliberate choice, allowing Ikkis the necessary space to resonate with audiences. With Dhurandhar's tremendous success, delivering the highest second weekend numbers ever for a Hindi film, it was deemed prudent to avoid competing directly during this busy festive season.

Vijan also pointed out that a solo release early in the year would give Ikkis a stronger opportunity to connect with viewers. Previous films like Hindi Medium, Pushpa, and Chhaava have succeeded under similar strategies, proving that reduced competition can enhance audience engagement and extend theatrical runs.

Moreover, the December schedule was crowded with Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday’s Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri planned for Christmas, alongside the global debut of James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash, intensifying the competition against Ikkis.

Vijan expressed optimism about the new release date, noting that audiences tend to gravitate toward meaningful films at the year's start, providing Ikkis with a focused platform to shine. He concluded that recognizing and embracing the right timing is essential.

Ikkis recounts the remarkable bravery of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, who sacrificed his life at the young age of 21 during the 1971 Indo-Pak war's Battle of Basantar. The film also stars Jaideep Ahlawat in a key role and is now poised to debut on January 1, 2026.