Ikkis is one of the most anticipated Bollywood films of 2026, weaving patriotism, emotion and real war history into a powerful cinematic experience. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Sriram Raghavan, the movie brings to life one of India’s most inspiring war stories — that of a young hero who became a legend. IMDb+1
📅 Release Date
The film officially released in theatres on January 1, 2026 — a New Year’s Day launch that marks both celebration and reflection. YouTube
🎬 Star-Studded Cast
Ikkis boasts a compelling ensemble cast, blending Bollywood veterans with new talent:
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Agastya Nanda as Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal — delivering a powerful debut performance. IMDb
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Dharmendra in what is being celebrated as his final film appearance, portraying Arun’s father. Navbharat Times
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Jaideep Ahlawat in a key role. IMDb
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Simar Bhatia, making her entry into films. IMDb
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Additional support cast includes Deepak Dobriyal and Mansi Chawla among others. IMDb
This blend of seasoned actors and fresh faces gives Ikkis both gravitas and fresh energy. IMDb
📖 Is Ikkis Based on a True Story?
Yes! Ikkis is based on real events — it chronicles the life and heroism of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, one of India’s youngest recipients of the Param Vir Chakra, awarded for extraordinary bravery during the 1971 India-Pakistan War. IMDb+1
The film immerses viewers in the courage, strategy and sacrifice shown on the battlefield, and explores both the personal and military dimensions of this young soldier’s life. IMDb
💰 Budget & Production Highlights
While official figures haven’t been fully confirmed, credible industry reports estimate that Ikkis was produced with a budget in the range of roughly ₹40–60 crore, reflecting its ambitious scale, realistic war setups and strong technical production values. FilmiBeat
From creating realistic battle scenes to building working tanks and consulting military experts, the production process was a major creative endeavour. Bollywood Hungama
🎥 Watch the Trailer
Here’s the official trailer of _Ikkis* so you can get a glimpse of the film’s emotion, action and storytelling:
👉 Ikkis – The Final Trailer
Watch Ikkis Official Trailer (YouTube)
⭐ Why This Film Is a Must-Watch
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Emotional storytelling built on true history. PINKVILLA
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A touching tribute to a real Indian war hero. IMDb
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The final screen performance by the legendary Dharmendra. Navbharat Times
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A fresh lead portrayal by Agastya Nanda proving his mettle. PINKVILLA
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Powerful ensemble cast and intense war sequences. IMDb
⭐ IMDb Rating & Popularity
As of now, Ikkis doesn’t yet show a public IMDb rating, likely because it has only just released and user ratings are still being collected. IMDb
However, it was trending among IMDb’s most anticipated movies before its release and has already generated strong buzz online. IMDb+1
Tip for readers: IMDb ratings often settle after a few days once enough viewers rate the film.
👥 Audience Reaction & Buzz
The audience response to Ikkis has been largely positive and emotional, especially on social media:
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Viewers have praised Dharmendra’s final performance, calling him the emotional soul of the film and describing moments that “hit straight to the heart.” FilmiBeat+1
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Many viewers are calling it a “moving, sincere war drama” that focuses on human experience rather than loud battlefield spectacle. mint
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Some audience members mentioned that the first half feels slower, but the emotions and performances in the second half make up for it. The Week
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Others have tweeted that Ikkis is a “must-watch” for its storytelling and heartfelt tribute — especially to Arun Khetarpal and Dharmendra. FilmiBeat
Overall, early reactions suggest the film is touching, respectful of its subject matter, and rich in emotional depth, even as debates continue about pacing and commercial appeal. The Week
Here’s the **latest **Day 1 box office update for Ikkis — the Bollywood war drama that released on January 1, 2026:
🎟️ One-Day Box Office Collection (Day 1)
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According to early trade reports, Ikkis earned around ₹4.58 crore (India net) on its first day of release. This figure is based on early evening estimates and may update further as official numbers come in. Sacnilk
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Live updates throughout the day showed the film collecting around ₹3.2 crore by mid-afternoon, with momentum building as the holiday continued — indicating a decent start for a content-driven war drama competing with bigger mainstream films. The Indian Express
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Early morning show figures were comparatively lower, reflecting a slow start before audiences picked up later in the day. FilmiBeat
📌 Note: Day 1 figures can vary slightly between trade trackers and final official reports, but these numbers give a solid estimate of the film’s initial box office performance. Sacnilk
