Dharmendra’s posthumous film Ikkis received strong praise from most industry insiders and fans. While opinions differed on the film’s political angle, you saw broad agreement that it served as a heartfelt farewell. Watching Dharmendra one last time on the big screen felt deeply moving.
Despite the emotional response and appreciation for performances, the film failed to convert goodwill into box office numbers. You could sense early on that audience turnout was not matching the positive word surrounding the film.
Directed by Sriram Raghavan, Ikkis was made on a budget estimated between Rs 40 and Rs 60 crore. Within five days of release, the makers announced collections of Rs 22.05 crore, raising concerns about recovery.
Many fans, however, believe the actual collections are much lower. Some estimate the total to be closer to Rs 15 crore, which only strengthens the view that the film has underperformed commercially.
You also see fans accusing the PR team of stepping in after the weak response. They claim efforts are now focused on damage control, especially around the image of Agastya Nanda.
Agastya Nanda, the grandson of Amitabh Bachchan, carried high expectations into his debut. Based on audience reaction, many feel he failed to leave a strong impression with his first project.
The disappointment extends to Sriram Raghavan as well. Known for films like Andhadhun and Merry Christmas, he did not meet expectations this time. You expected a sharper, more gripping film.
Although Ikkis carried a sincere message about the destructive nature of war, it did not connect strongly enough with audiences. For many fans, good intent alone was not enough to make the film work.
You now see hope placed on Sriram Raghavan to return stronger with his next project. Fans still trust his talent and want him to deliver something special again.
At the same time, there is hope that Agastya Nanda will improve his craft. You want to see him return with better preparation and a performance that truly earns audience confidence.
