Sriram Raghavan's biographical war drama 'Ikkis', featuring Agastya Nanda in his theatrical debut and marking veteran actor Dharmendra's final screen appearance, garnered approximately ₹7 crore net on its opening day, January 1, 2026. The film, which tells the inspiring true story of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, India's youngest Param Vir Chakra recipient, opened to a decent start despite significant competition. The box office performance of 'Ikkis' occurred amidst the strong and sustained success of 'Dhurandhar', a Ranveer Singh-starrer action-spy thriller directed by Aditya Dhar. 'Dhurandhar', released on December 5, 2025, had a massive opening of over ₹28 crore and went on to become a blockbuster, accumulating over ₹790 crore in India by its 35th day and exceeding ₹1200 crore worldwide. This "Dhurandhar wave" significantly impacted 'Ikkis', which secured fewer screens and faced an uphill battle for audience attention. While 'Ikkis' received positive reviews for its emotional narrative and performances, it struggled to convert critical appreciation into substantial box office momentum due to the intense competition. The film's day one collection was seen as healthy, boosted by the New Year holiday, but its long-term theatrical run has faced challenges. The article's claims about 'Ikkis' earning around ₹7 crore and operating amidst the 'Dhurandhar' wave are well-corroborated by multiple credible sources, indicating accurate reporting.