Bachchan, Agastya's grandfather, posted a photo holding an "Ikkis" T-shirt and wrote in Hindi: "IKKIS was earlier on the twenty-fifth (25), now it will be in '26, on the first (1st). Some astrologers said, brother, it's a good omen—keep going, just keep going."
The move quells rumors that producers postponed the film to avoid competition from Ranveer Singh's blockbuster Dhurandhar, which continues dominating screens with over ₹700 crore worldwide, or James Cameron's Avatar: Fire and Ash, arriving today.
Trade analyst Taran Adarsh praised producer Dinesh Vijan's decision as strategic, noting past successes like shifting Hindi Medium and Chhaava to clearer windows. He highlighted that Dhurandhar and Avatar would retain prime shows through Christmas, limiting space for new releases.
By moving to New Year's Day, Ikkis secures a solo opening and better screen allocation.
Directed by Sriram Raghavan, Ikkis chronicles the life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, India's youngest Param Vir Chakra recipient, during the 1971 Indo-Pak war. The cast includes Jaideep Ahlawat and the late Dharmendra in his final role as Khetarpal's father—a performance now carrying added emotional weight following the legend's passing last month.
The final trailer drops in theatres today alongside major releases.
Industry watchers see the postponement as a calculated play for maximum impact, giving the patriotic drama room to breathe in a crowded holiday season. With no direct clashes on January 1, Ikkis could kick off 2026 strongly, honoring a real-life hero and Dharmendra's swan song.
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