Ikkis box office report: Sriram Raghavan’s anti-war saga elicits polarizing reactions, earns 22.5 crore rupees on its opening weekend

Starring Agastya Nanda as PVC Arun Khetarpal, the film celebrates a young soldier’s heroism while underscoring the human cost of war. 

As war dramas have become the go-to genre for Bollywood, last week saw the release of Sriram Raghavan’s Ikkis, a war biopic chronicling the life of 21-year-old Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal (played by Agastya Nanda), who was honoured with the Param Vir Chakra for his valour in the Battle of Basantar during the 1971 India-Pakistan war. 

The film has sparked divided reactions owing to its anti-war themes and the message of peace, weeks after Aditya Dhar’s spy-thriller Dhurandhar offered an unapologetic take on the issue. While some are in awe of its performances, action and the way it humanises the battlefield, others are irked by the way it portrays the futility of a war. 

Also Read: Ikkis review: Sriram Raghavan’s tender biopic honors valor in a war drama that prioritizes humanity over spectacle

Here’s what the janta is saying about the film!

Just walked out of the theatre after watching #Ikkis and felt genuinely moved. This is cinema with heart, purpose and honesty. Highly recommended. pic.twitter.com/ZI6CMAFzW9

— Palak (@Woh_meow_hai) January 1, 2026

ikkis (2026, dir. sriram raghavan)

i cried twice. automatic five stars. already in the "best movies of the year" list. pic.twitter.com/CeBLVQ4Hnk

— pramitheus (@pramitheus) January 3, 2026

This scene at the end in Ikkis is a masterclass in acting, dialogue and storytelling. pic.twitter.com/uuOccCLzH8

— Vishal Agnihotri (@Dilliwasi) January 3, 2026

for me #Ikkis isn’t about sides at all It’s about one soldier who chose his country over his own life
that tank scene proves it pic.twitter.com/ccgRHqKuO8

— 𝓝𝓲𝓼𝓱𝓪 𝓨𝓪𝓭𝓾𝓿𝓪𝓷𝓼𝓱𝓲 (@Nisha2578) January 3, 2026

Finally a war movie that isn’t just shouting and noise. #Ikkis is quiet, intense, and deeply moving. Loved it. pic.twitter.com/flGfahJr0v

— SwatKat💃 (@swatic12) January 2, 2026

Literally can’t think of anyone who could have played this role better than Jaideep Ahlawat.

National treasure ❤️#Ikkispic.twitter.com/p7JqF2Sgfu

— Sukhada (@appadappajappa) January 3, 2026

#Ikkis 2026
Such a sensitive war film in our times is no less than a miracle. Still cannot believe #SriramRaghavan made such huge scale film. The cast delivers, so well crafted, emotions hit & makes you think. A film that will be remembered for a long time pic.twitter.com/9SUCJTeQzq

— Nona Prince (@nonaprinceyt) January 1, 2026

Don’t give much attention to Ikkis. It will die on it’s own death. It’s sad that Arun Khetarpal’s life is reduced to a mockery of trolling India, indian army and hyping Pakistan, saying no real enemy exists at the time of war. This film is an anti war propaganda to troll India.

— Rohith (@rohithverse) January 2, 2026

Trivia: Ikkis is the only film in Bollywood history named after the number of people who would watch it

— Opinion Bakery (@IndiaSpeaksPR) January 2, 2026

I will never watch #Ikkis even though
Arun Khetrapal is my favourite war hero ever since I saw his story on doordarshan when I was barely in primary school.
Sriram Raghvan has diluted his Balidan to peddle his sick agenda of Pakistan love.Battle of basantar will live in memories. pic.twitter.com/xkgvSh8sMt

— Candid_Shweta (@CandidShweta) January 1, 2026

#Ikkis Not Creative Liberty. This Is Creative Treason. Having the character playing father of PVC Arun Khetrapal mouth lines like:
“Pakistan didn’t kill my son. War did.” is not nuance.
It is an insult to the zazba of every #Indian soldier.

— The Ruchi Connect (@RuchiSinghTalks) January 4, 2026

I understand that liking a film is subjective and everyone is entitled to their opinions, be it on the basis of art or ideology.

But you can't dunk on Dhurandhar by saying that it has a anti-Pak narrative and then rave about Ikkis because it promotes peace. At least make sense.

— A T (@naughtyrobot725) January 2, 2026

The movie "Ikkis" is a typical cringe 'Aman ki Asha' type propaganda with some war added as a bait. Full on Bhaichara.
Stay away, save your money. If you are itching to watch a movie, Better repeat watch #Dhurandhar

— Neeraj Atri (@AtriNeeraj) January 2, 2026

Despite these divided opinions, the film has managed to fare decently at the box office, collecting 22.5 crore rupees in its opening weekend, earning Rs. 7.28 crores on Thursday, Rs. 4.02 crores on Friday, Rs. 5.05 crores on Saturday and Rs. 5.07 crores on Sunday. 

#Ikkis did decent business on its 4 Days Weekend |Official India Biz pic.twitter.com/oqnSrjgoiR

— Sumit Kadel (@SumitkadeI) January 5, 2026

Ikkis is running in the cinema halls near you

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