There is a great deal of concern in the Bachchan family over the release of Agastya Nanda’s crucial comeback release Ikkis this week.
With Dhurandhar smothering any and every release including Avatar: Fire & Ash and Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri , it seems foolhardy to risk almost certain failure with one more well-intended but relatively modest film.
The Bachchan family is understandably concerned.
“It’s not about Agastya alone, though we are naturally concerned about how the audience will respond to his moving performance as the real-life Param Vir Chakra winner Arun Khetarpal. Sriram Raghavan has made a truly commendable film. It deserves an audience. But where is the audience? Everyone is watching Dhurandhar over and over again,” says a source close to the Bachchan family.
Apparently , all attempts to persuade the producers to move Ikkis head by a few weeks, have failed. Significantly Ikkis was postponed by a week from December 24 to January 1. Even more significantly films released in the first week of the year have not performed well in the past.
Additionally, war films like 120 Bahadur , Ground Zero , Akshardham and Skyforce have not done well in 2025.
Trade Guru Taran Adarsh defends the decision to release Ikkis amidst the Dhurandhar wave. “Maddock Films’ decision to release Ikkis while Dhurandhar continues its thunderous run is a calculated move, not a risky one. To begin with, Ikkis belongs to a completely different genre and is not designed for a wide, aggressive release. They have opted for controlled showcasing, which minimizes direct confrontation with a boxoffice juggernaut like Dhurandhar. Moreover, a film like Ikkis needs a clear week, and that window is practically non-existent. New films are arriving every single week, with the next major release, The Raja Saab, scheduled for 9th January. Delaying further would only push the film into an even more crowded marketplace. Yes, Dhurandhar remains a mighty opponent, but Ikkis brings with it strong emotional and sentimental value. It is Dharam ji’s last film, packed with poignant moments, and tells the story of a brave officer.That emotional connect could well prompt viewers to go for Ikkis despite the dominance of Dhurandhar.”
