Dharmendra-Asrani’s last film Ikkis postponed amid Dhurandhar wave! Check new release date of Agastya Nanda-led flick

Aditya Dhar’s high-octane espionage thriller Dhurandhar has been minting money ever since it hit theatres on December 5, 2025. Backed by a power-packed ensemble featuring Ranveer Singh, R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal and Sanjay Dutt, the film continues its unstoppable run at the box office.

Must Read: Dhurandhar 2: Is Emraan Hashmi joining Ranveer Singh in sequel as ‘Bade Saab’?

With screens firmly occupied and audience interest running high, the ripple effect of Dhurandhar’s success is now being felt across the release calendar- most notably by Dharmendra and Asrani’s much-awaited film Ikkis.

Ikkis Gets a New Release Date

The makers of Ikkis have decided to push the film’s release to avoid a high-stakes box-office clash. Film critic and trade analyst Taran Adarsh confirmed the development through his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, revealing that the new release date has been locked.

Taran wrote, "DINESH VIJAN'S WISE MOVE - 'IKKIS' SHIFTS TO 1 JAN 2026... 2017: #HindiMedium smartly shifted to a later date once #Baahubali2 locked its release."

Further, he noted, "The postponement of #HindiMedium and #Chhaava worked to their advantage, with both eventually enjoying a clear run."

"#DineshVijan has done it for the third time… #Ikkis, originally slated for release on 25 Dec 2025, will now arrive a week later, on 1 Jan 2026," he added.

The announcement means fans will have to wait a little longer to witness what is being touted as Dharmendra and Asrani’s final big-screen outing together.

Why the Makers Chose to Delay?

Explaining the rationale behind the decision, Taran further noted the intense competition during the Christmas week. He shared, "#Dhurandhar is creating havoc at the boxoffice and shows no signs of slowing down… Plus, #Avatar – the #Hollywood giant – will have an extensive release in #India this Friday [19 Dec 2025]. Neither film is likely to surrender screens or prime shows during the #Christmas week."

Further, his post read, "The decision to shift the release of #Ikkis ahead makes perfect business sense… Besides being a solo release on 1 Jan 2026, #Ikkis is assured of its share of shows at prime properties. Meanwhile, the final trailer of #Ikkis will be unveiled on 19 Dec 2025… This writer has already witnessed the trailer, and it makes a super-solid impression. #DineshVijan and #MaddockFilms present #Ikkis, directed by National Award-winning #SriramRaghavan."

#BreakingNews... DINESH VIJAN'S WISE MOVE – 'IKKIS' SHIFTS TO 1 JAN 2026...
⭐️ 2017: #HindiMedium smartly shifted to a later date once #Baahubali2 locked its release.
⭐️ 2024: #Chhaava avoided a direct clash with #Pushpa2 and moved to 2025.

The postponement of #HindiMedium and… pic.twitter.com/Oc1Ha9pZJn

— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) December 17, 2025

The strategic shift ensures better visibility and screen allocation for Ikkis when it finally releases.

Dhurandhar’s Dream Run Continues

Meanwhile, Dhurandhar continues to shatter box-office records. The Ranveer Singh-led action thriller has now crossed an estimated ₹400 crore in India net collections and entered the elite Rs 600 crore club globally, becoming one of the year’s biggest hits so far, with a worldwide gross nearing ₹600 crore.

Related Story: Dharmendra and Asrani’s last flick Ikkis: Sholay’s Jailer and Veeru reunite in Jai’s grandson’s debut film, fans get emotional

With no signs of slowing down, Dhurandhar’s dominance has prompted several filmmakers to rethink their release strategies, proving once again how a single blockbuster can reshape the theatrical landscape.