Delaying Ikkis’ release by Dhurandhar’s magic: strategy or compulsion?

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‘Ikkis’ has been postponed amid Ranveer Singh’s ‘Dhurandhar’ breaking box office records. Find out why this decision was made, what analysts think, and all the details about this Agastya Nanda-Dharmendra war film.

There is only one name at the Bollywood box office now – ‘Dhurandhar‘. Ranveer Singh’s spy action thriller has captured the attention of movie lovers and businessmen by setting a new record for the highest grossing film in Hindi cinema history in its second weekend. In the shadow of this overwhelming success, another much-awaited film has postponed its release date. Maddock Films’ ‘Ikkis‘, which is based on the heroic story of India’s youngest Paramvir Chakra recipient Arun Khetrapal, will now release on January 1, 2026 instead of December 25. Is this decision strategic or forced by the power of ‘Dhurandhar’? Let’s find out the details.

‘Dhurandhar’s’ unrivaled triumph

Ranveer Singh and producer Siddharth Anand have once again made a bet after ‘War’ and ‘Pathan’. ‘Dhurandhar’ is not only doing business, it is also breaking record after record. It has become the second highest grossing film in Hindi cinema in its second weekend, beating the previous record holder ‘Sayaara’. The craze for the film among the audience and the long queues at the theatres prove that it has become not just a film, but an ‘event’. In such a situation, it can be really risky for any other big film to go head-to-head with it.

‘Ikkis’ Strategic Retreat

‘Ikkis‘ was initially set to release on Christmas weekend (December 25) 2025. But seeing the huge success of ‘Dhurandhar‘, the production house Maddock Films took a quick decision. They officially announced that the film will now release on January 1, 2026. They said, “Give yourself courage this New Year… The true story of India’s youngest Param Vir Chakra recipient, ‘Ikkis’ final trailer is hitting theatres this weekend.”

Dharmendra’s last film Ikkis’ will be released in theaters on January 1, 2026.(Source: Maddock Films)

This decision is not just a date change, it is a well-thought-out marketing strategy. Instead of going through the busy Christmas period and exclusive screenings of ‘Dhurandhar’, the film will now release on a completely new year and festive (New Year) day. This will give it a different identity and promotion.

Expert View: Smart Move

Renowned trade analyst Taran Adarsh welcomed the decision. He cited past examples in his post on X (Twitter). In 2017, ‘Hindi Medium’ was released away from ‘Baahubali 2’, which was a surprise. Similarly, in 2024, ‘Chaaba’ was postponed to avoid facing ‘Pushpa 2’, which later led to its victory. According to Adarsh, Dinesh Vijan (probably associated with Maddock Films) has shown the same intelligence for ‘Ikkis’. This decision is absolutely right, given the current ‘magic’ of ‘Dhurandhar’, which will benefit the film later.

Ikkis’: What’s special about this film?

Despite the postponement of the release, the excitement about ‘Ikkis’ is not less. On the contrary, this decision has brought it into more discussion.

  • A true hero’s story: The film is based on the life and bravery of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetrapal, a hero of the Indo-Pakistani war of 1971. He is the youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra in India.
  • Promising cast: Agastya Nanda, grandson of Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan, will be seen in the role of a young army officer in this film. This is an important role in his career.
  • Dharmendra’s glorious comeback: The most important and emotional aspect is that veteran superstar Dharmendra is returning to a special role (a retired colonel) after a long time. His pairing with Amitabh Bachchan’s grandson is a historic moment for both the makers and the audience.
  • Talented director: Renowned director Sriram Raghav has taken the helm of the film. This is his first war-based film.
  • Positive initial response: The trailer that has already been released has received an encouraging response from the audience and critics, which instills confidence in the quality of the film.

Source: Maddock Films

 Patience pays off

The postponement of the release date of ‘Dhurandhar’ is a vivid example of Bollywood’s dynamic marketing strategy. It shows the realistic and far-sighted attitude of the makers. The fact that ‘Ikkis’ is not just a film, but a patriotic sentiment is already evident in its trailer. Even if it is delayed by a week, by releasing on the first day of the new year, it can gain a different identity and respect from the audience. If ‘Dhurandhar’ is the current king of the box office, ‘Ikkis’ is going to be the potential prince of the future – whose battle is not only on screen, but also in business and hearts. Read more

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