Ikkis hit theaters on New Year’s Day, and let’s just say its first weekend has everyone talking, though maybe not for the reasons the makers hoped. The film pulled in about ₹5 crore nett on Day 3 (that’s the Saturday after release), and the buzz is, if things keep going like this, it’s in for a rough ride at the box office.

Look at the day-to-day numbers:

- Day 1: ₹7.28 cr
- Day 2: ₹4.02 cr
- Day 3: ~ ₹5 cr

- Total after Day 3: About ₹16.3 crore (India net, as per estimates)

The movie got a little boost from the holiday crowd on January 1st, earning ₹7.28 crore on opening day. Not bad, but it slid fast, Day 2 dropped to ₹4.02 crore, then Day 3 bounced back a bit to ₹5 crore. The pattern? Steady, sure, but not exactly setting the cash registers on fire.

Now, look, these aren’t terrible numbers for a film that ditches the usual commercial tricks. But here’s the issue: Ikkis wasn’t cheap to make or promote. With a hefty budget and no superstar leading the charge, the film’s survival depends on strong word-of-mouth and some glowing reviews. No big action set pieces, no over-the-top masala, just the hope that audiences connect with the story.

One thing working in its favor? This is Dharmendra’s swan song, his very last film, capping off a career that started way back in 1960. That’s got people curious, and there’s genuine emotion attached to watching a legend say goodbye. If anything can pull crowds in over time, it’s that.

There’s also fresh blood here: Agastya Nanda steps up in the lead, and the story of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, the youngest Param Vir Chakra recipient, gives the movie some real heart. Early reviews have been mostly kind, especially about the performances, but not everyone’s on the same page.

But of course, nothing in Bollywood is ever simple. The film wades into the tricky waters of India-Pakistan relations. There’s a mid-credits disclaimer making it clear that the Pakistani character’s humanity is an exception, not the norm. Some folks see this as a response to the recent wave of patriotic hits, while others think it muddies the film’s anti-war stance. Whatever your take, the debate online is loud, and that kind of noise can either scare people off or make them more curious.

So where does Ikkis go from here? Unlike the big-budget, star-driven blockbusters that crash through their first week, films like this live and die by what happens after the weekend. If people keep talking and recommending it, the numbers could stabilize. But with other movies still drawing crowds and tastes changing fast, Ikkis has a tough road ahead. Everyone, from theater owners to critics to fans, is waiting to see if Dharmendra’s farewell and the film’s emotional punch can keep it afloat.

Ikkis started okay but hasn’t caught fire yet. If it’s going to stick around, it’ll need more than nostalgia and debate, it’ll need the audience to really care, and to tell their friends it’s worth the ticket.