As the year ends, Bollywood enters a three-way Christmas clash that puts the box office under pressure. Media reports compare opening-day expectations for Dhurandhar, Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri, and Ikkis, raising questions over which film draws crowds first.
Dhurandhar leads early expectations with a December 5 release and an estimated opening of Rs 14–18 crore, slightly higher than earlier projections. Strong pre-sales and steady buzz around the trailer have pushed interest higher, especially with limited competition during its opening week.
The real face-off arrives on December 25 with Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri and Ikkis releasing together. The rom-com, starring Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday, aims at a Rs 7–10 crore start as romance tries to regain its box office footing.
Recent failures such as Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari and De De Pyaar De 2 weigh heavily on expectations. The absence of a trailer also slows momentum, making it harder to judge appeal before release.
The film also faces pressure from Avatar 3, which opens on December 19 and continues its strong theatrical run into Christmas week. Its sustained demand limits screen space and impacts footfall for new Hindi releases.
Ikkis targets a narrower Rs 2–4 crore opening despite praise for its emotional tone. Trade circles compare its prospects to 120 Bahadur, another intense war drama that struggled commercially despite solid storytelling.
Dharmendra’s appearance in the film adds emotional value after his passing in late November. Trade analysts expect this sentiment to drive word-of-mouth and tribute-driven turnout during the opening days.
With all three films racing to close the year strong, the opening numbers are only the beginning. Final verdicts will depend on audience reaction, weekday hold, and how well each film survives the first big weekend.
