Ikkis Box Office Day 2: Agastya Nanda's War Drama Outshines Rivals, Eyes Rs 10 Crore Mark Amidst 'Dhurandhar' Storm

Mumbai: The first Friday of 2026 has brought an interesting mix of nostalgia, patriotism, and blockbuster dominance to the Indian box office. While the New Year festivities have settled, the battle at the ticket windows is heating up between a fresh war drama, a fading rom-com, and an unstoppable spy thriller.

Sriram Raghavan’s highly anticipated directorial 'Ikkis', which marks the big-screen debut of Amitabh Bachchan’s grandson Agastya Nanda, is slowly finding its footing. However, it faces a colossal challenge from the lingering storm of 'Dhurandhar', which refuses to slow down even after a month in theaters.

Here is a detailed deep-dive into the box office numbers, trends, and the verdict from Day 2.

'Ikkis' Box Office Report: A Steady Climb

Released on New Year’s Day (Thursday, January 1, 2026), Ikkis opened with a respectable collection of approximately ₹7 crore. The film, based on the life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal (the youngest Param Vir Chakra recipient), carries immense emotional weight as it features the legendary Dharmendra in his final on-screen appearance.

Day 2 (Friday) Performance: According to the latest trade updates from Sacnilk and industry insiders, Ikkis has maintained a steady pace on its second day.

• Day 2 Earnings: As of Friday afternoon, the film has added approximately ₹1.52 crore to its tally.

• Total Collection: The total India net collection currently stands at ₹8.52 crore.

• Projection: With evening and night shows yet to be fully accounted for, trade analysts predict the film will comfortably cross the ₹10 crore mark by the end of Friday night.

While the opening numbers are in single digits, the film is banking heavily on positive word-of-mouth. Critics have praised Sriram Raghavan’s restrained storytelling and the heartfelt performances of Jaideep Ahlawat and Agastya Nanda. However, the film is not a typical "masala" war movie; it is a somber, character-driven biopic, which explains the gradual rather than explosive growth.

'Tu Meri Main Tera' Fades Away

The clash has been particularly harsh for Kartik Aaryan’s romantic comedy 'Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri' (TMMT). Released during the Christmas week, the film was expected to capitalize on the holiday season but has struggled to hold audience interest.

The Downward Spiral:

• On Thursday (January 1), the film managed to scrape together only ₹1.35 crore, despite the holiday benefit.

• On Friday (January 2), the numbers have plummeted further, with early estimates suggesting collections below ₹50 lakh.

• The Verdict: Ikkis has comprehensively outshined TMMT. Audiences seem to have shifted their preference from the rom-com genre to the more grounded narrative of the war drama. TMMT is currently struggling to crawl past the ₹30 crore mark domestically, labeling it as an underperformer for a star of Kartik Aaryan’s caliber.

The Unstoppable Force: 'Dhurandhar' Dominates Week 5

While Ikkis fights for its space, the real story of the season remains the unprecedented run of 'Dhurandhar'. Starring Ranveer Singh, this spy-action thriller has decimated records and continues to rule the box office in its 5th week.

Day 29 Performance:

• Even on its 29th day, Dhurandhar is performing better than most new releases. The film minted a staggering ₹4.3 crore on Friday so far.

• Total Collection: The film’s total India net collection has surged past ₹743.3 crore, making it one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of all time.

Trade experts believe Dhurandhar is benefiting from repeat viewings and a lack of strong competition in the action genre. Its massive screen count has squeezed the exhibition space for newer releases like Ikkis, limiting the latter's potential growth.

Why 'Ikkis' is Special: More Than Just Numbers

Despite the overshadowing presence of Dhurandhar, Ikkis holds a special place in 2026’s cinema calendar for several reasons:

1. Dharmendra’s Swan Song: The film serves as a tribute to veteran actor Dharmendra, who plays a poignant role. His presence has drawn older audiences to theaters, adding an emotional layer to the viewing experience.

2. Sriram Raghavan’s Shift: Known for dark thrillers like Andhadhun and Badlapur, this is Raghavan’s first foray into the war biopic genre. His unique treatment—focusing on the "man behind the uniform" rather than just jingoism—has garnered critical acclaim.

3. Agastya Nanda’s Test: After a digital debut with The Archies, this is Agastya's first theatrical test. While reviews suggest a "sincere but restrained" performance, his ability to pull crowds will be tested over the crucial first weekend.

The Road Ahead: The Weekend Test

The coming Saturday and Sunday are critical for Ikkis.

• The Challenge: It needs to jump significantly (by at least 40-50%) on Saturday to sustain a healthy run. If it remains flat, it risks being crushed by the Dhurandhar juggernaut.

• The Advantage: With Tu Meri Main Tera virtually out of the race, Ikkis is the only viable option for families looking for new content this weekend.

Conclusion

As we move deeper into 2026, the box office narrative is clear: Content is king, but momentum is god. Dhurandhar has the momentum of a tsunami, while Ikkis relies on the slow burn of quality storytelling. For Ikkis to succeed, it doesn't need to beat Dhurandhar; it just needs to find its own loyal audience. The next 48 hours will decide whether this war drama wins its own battle at the box office.