The Bollywood box office has a new contender in town—and it’s packing a patriotic punch. Ikkis, the much-anticipated debut of Agastya Nanda (grandson of legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan), is carving out its space in a crowded weekend. By Day 3, the war drama has already outperformed one competitor but faces an uphill battle against the juggernaut that is Dhurandhar.
Based on the real-life heroism of Param Vir Chakra awardee Arun Khetrapal, Ikkis isn’t just another star-kid launch. It’s a tribute to unsung bravery, wrapped in cinematic storytelling—and audiences are responding, albeit cautiously. Let’s break down the numbers, the competition, and what this means for Agastya’s career trajectory.
Table of Contents
- Ikkis Box Office Collection Day 3: The Numbers
- A Strong Debut for Agastya Nanda?
- Competition Heats Up: Ikkis vs Dhurandhar
- The Real Story Behind Ikkis: Who Was Arun Khetrapal?
- Critical Reception and Audience Response
- What Next for Ikkis?
- Conclusion: A Respectable Start with Room to Grow
- Sources
Ikkis Box Office Collection Day 3: The Numbers
As of Day 3 (January 3, 2026), Ikkis box office collection has shown steady, if not explosive, growth. According to early trade estimates:
- Day 1: ₹3.25 crore (India net)
- Day 2: ₹3.80 crore (India net)
- Day 3: ₹4.50 crore (India net, projected)
This brings the film’s 3-day total to approximately ₹11.55 crore—a solid opening for a debutant-led war drama with no established romantic or masala hooks.
More impressively, Ikkis has already surpassed the weekend collections of the romantic comedy Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri, which struggled to connect with multiplex audiences despite its familiar genre.
A Strong Debut for Agastya Nanda?
Agastya Nanda isn’t riding solely on his famous surname. Trained at the prestigious Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute and seen in supporting roles in international projects, he’s made a deliberate choice with Ikkis: skip the usual romantic or action-hero debut and instead anchor his first lead role in a story of sacrifice and duty.
Early reviews praise his screen presence and physical commitment, though some critics note he’s still finding his footing in emotional scenes. Still, for a first-timer carrying a ₹30-crore film, his performance—and the film’s box office resilience—suggests a promising start.
Competition Heats Up: Ikkis vs Dhurandhar
Despite its momentum, Ikkis is undeniably playing second fiddle to Dhurandhar, the high-octane action thriller led by a bankable star. Dhurandhar collected a massive ₹18 crore on its opening day alone and continues to dominate single screens and mass markets.
Trade analysts point to key differences:
- Genre appeal: Action thrillers like Dhurandhar traditionally perform better in pan-India releases than niche war dramas.
- Star power: While Nanda brings legacy, Dhurandhar’s lead is a proven box office magnet with multiple ₹100-crore hits.
- Screen count: Dhurandhar secured over 3,500 screens vs. Ikkis’s 2,200, limiting its reach in Tier 2 and 3 cities.
That said, Ikkis is outperforming expectations for its genre—and gaining traction through word-of-mouth, especially among younger, history-conscious viewers.
The Real Story Behind Ikkis: Who Was Arun Khetrapal?
Ikkis (meaning “21” in Hindi) tells the story of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetrapal, who was just 21 years old during the 1971 Indo-Pak War. Stationed with the 17th Poona Horse regiment, Khetrapal single-handedly destroyed multiple enemy tanks during the Battle of Basantar, buying crucial time for Indian forces—but lost his life in the process.
He was posthumously awarded India’s highest military honor, the Param Vir Chakra. The film’s attempt to bring his story to mainstream audiences has been welcomed by veterans and historians alike. For deeper insight into India’s military heroes, visit the official Indian Army website.
Critical Reception and Audience Response
Critics have given Ikkis a mixed-to-positive reception (averaging 3.5/5 on major review platforms). Praise focuses on:
- The authentic war sequences and production design
- The respectful portrayal of Khetrapal’s legacy
- Agastya Nanda’s earnest performance
However, some note pacing issues in the second half and underdeveloped supporting characters. Audience scores on social media, however, are higher—especially among viewers who value patriotic storytelling over pure entertainment.
What Next for Ikkis?
With the weekend behind it, Ikkis now faces the crucial Monday test. Will weekday footfalls hold? Analysts predict:
- A 40–50% drop on Monday (standard for non-mass films)
- Potential boost from school and college groups inspired by the patriotic theme
- A final first-week total in the ₹18–22 crore range if trends continue
If it crosses ₹20 crore, Ikkis will be deemed a commercial success given its modest budget—and a springboard for Agastya’s future projects.
Conclusion: A Respectable Start with Room to Grow
The Ikkis box office collection story so far is one of quiet resilience. In a landscape dominated by formulaic masala and star-driven spectacles, a sincere war drama led by a debutant has managed to find its audience—proving that compelling real-life stories still have pull.
While it may not dethrone Dhurandhar, Ikkis has done something arguably more valuable: it’s launched Agastya Nanda not as a star kid, but as a serious actor with purpose. For more on Bollywood’s new wave of patriotic cinema, check out our analysis on [INTERNAL_LINK:patriotic-films-in-bollywood].
Sources
- The Times of India: “Ikkis Box Office Collection Day 3 (Live)”
- Indian Army – Param Vir Chakra Recipients
- Trade estimates from Sacnilk and Bollywood Hungama (January 2026)
- Critical reviews from Film Companion and Bollywood Life