- By Sidhi Agarwall
- Sat, 20 Dec 2025 04:02 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Ikkis Movie Release: The much-awaited war drama Ikkis, based on the life of Param Vir Chakra awardee Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, has been postponed just days before its theatrical release. The film, which was earlier scheduled to arrive in cinemas on December 25, 2025, will now release on January 1, 2026. Produced by Dinesh Vijan under Maddock Films, the decision to delay the release was taken due to the crowded festive window and the massive box office performance of Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna’s Dhurandhar, which continues to dominate theatres across the country.
Speaking to PTI, producer Dinesh Vijan opened up about the postponement and explained that the move was made keeping the film’s long-term performance in mind. He said, “I feel you should make a decision that is good for everyone, and that will help you as well. It’s a film that requires space. We are lucky that we’re getting a solo date at the beginning of the year. This happened with Chhaava and Pushpa, also, it happened with Hindi medium movies. This is kind of not to have clutter.” Vijan added that releasing the film during a less crowded period would allow it to find its audience organically, without getting lost amid multiple big releases.
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If Ikkis had stuck to its original Christmas release, it would have faced stiff competition not only from Dhurandhar, which is still running to packed houses, but also from Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday’s Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri and James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash. With Dhurandhar recording one of the strongest second weekends in Hindi cinema history, the makers felt it was best to avoid a direct clash and give Ikkis a clear runway. Talking further about the new release date, Dinesh Vijan said the New Year offers a perfect opportunity for audiences to watch a meaningful film. He shared, “In the new year, we’re also ready to watch a good film. We get a run. So, it works overall for the business because all the films get space to breathe. It’s not like there’s a film there, we get a solo release. So, when God is giving, take it.”
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About Ikkis: Directed by Sriram Raghavan, Ikkis stars Agastya Nanda in the lead role. The film also features Dharmendra, marking what is expected to be his final on-screen appearance, along with Jaideep Ahlawat in a pivotal role. The film narrates the inspiring and tragic story of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, who was martyred at just 21 years of age during the Battle of Basantar in the 1971 Indo-Pak war. His bravery earned him India’s highest military honour, the Param Vir Chakra.
With its new release date set for January 1, 2026, Ikkis is now positioned as the first major Hindi release of the year, giving the war drama ample space to connect with audiences nationwide.