Ikkis Release Date Update: Agastya Nanda’s War Film Pushed Ahead
Updated on: 17 December, 2025 06:57 PM IST |Shweta Shah
Ikkis New Release Date Announced Amid Dhurandhar Buzz
In an unexpected twist for Bollywood’s year-end lineup, Agastya Nanda and Dharmendra’s highly anticipated war drama Ikkis — originally slated to hit theatres on December 25, 2025 — has been postponed to January 1, 2026.
The announcement, shared by Ikkis makers on X (formerly Twitter), confirms the film will now ring in the New Year with its theatrical debut.
The update comes amidst intense competition at the box office, particularly from the runaway success of Dhurandhar, which continues to dominate screens and audience attention.
In its official statement, the Ikkis team wrote, “The true story of India`s youngest Paramveer Chakra Awardee, Second Lt Arun Khetarpal. Some heroes die young. Experience courage in cinemas. # Ikkis releasing on 1st January 2026.”
Also Read: Hema Malini Remembers Dharmendra In An Emotional Post On His Birth Anniversary
#BreakingNews... DINESH VIJAN`S WISE MOVE – `IKKIS` SHIFTS TO 1 JAN 2026...
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) December 17, 2025
2017: #HindiMedium smartly shifted to a later date once #Baahubali2 locked its release.
2024: #Chhaava avoided a direct clash with #Pushpa2 and moved to 2025.
The postponement of #HindiMedium and… pic.twitter.com/Oc1Ha9pZJn
In addition, the makers hinted at a final marketing push, promising: “This new year, gift yourself courage. The final #Ikkis trailer drops this weekend in theatres. A new chapter unfolds in legendary director Sriram Raghavan’s first war film.”
Why the shift?
Industry insiders say the decision wasn’t born from creative delays but smart box office calculus.
With Dhurandhar’s blockbuster momentum, coupled with big Hollywood titles like Avatar: Fire and Ash vying for screens over Christmas week, Ikkis risked playing second fiddle.
A December 25 release would have meant limited prime shows and fewer screens at a time when multiplexes are flooded with holiday crowds.
By moving to January 1, 2026, the film not only avoids direct competition but also takes advantage of the full holiday-to-New-Year stretch, giving audiences a less crowded window to discover this heartfelt, true-story drama.
More than a debut — A legacy film
Ikkis marks a rare and poignant moment in Hindi cinema — Agastya Nanda’s theatrical debut and the final on-screen appearance of veteran star Dharmendra.
Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Sriram Raghavan and produced by Dinesh Vijan under the Maddock Films banner, the war film tells the inspiring true story of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, India’s youngest Param Vir Chakra awardee from the 1971 Indo-Pak war.
With this new release strategy, Ikkis hopes to capture the hearts of audiences seeking powerful storytelling wrapped in national pride — just as the calendar flips to a fresh year.
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