Agastya Nanda's Bollywood debut in the war drama "Ikkis" has been pushed to January 1, 2026, and his grandfather, Amitabh Bachchan, revealed the reason behind it. The film, directed by Sriram Raghavan, was originally slated for release on December 25, 2025. Bachchan took to social media to share the news, attributing the change to astrological advice.
In a post on X, Bachchan explained in Hindi that some astrologers suggested the shift for good fortune, stating, "Ikkis was earlier set for the twenty-fifth (25); now it will be in the twenty-sixth (26), on the first (1st). Some astrology-knowing folks said, 'Brother, the omen is good—keep moving, just keep moving'". He implied that the new release date was chosen based on auspicious astrological considerations.
This explanation contrasts earlier speculation that the postponement was due to avoid a box office clash with Ranveer Singh's "Dhurandhar" or Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday’s "Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri". "Dhurandhar" continues its successful run, and "Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri" is also scheduled to premiere around the same time.
"Ikkis" is a significant project for Agastya Nanda, marking his first major theatrical release after his debut in Zoya Akhtar’s "The Archies". The film tells the real-life story of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, the youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra. He was martyred at the age of 21 during the Battle of Basantar in the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War, and the film's title refers to his age when he sacrificed his life for the country.
The cast includes Jaideep Ahlawat and Simar Bhatia, with the film also featuring the late Dharmendra in his final screen appearance. The makers of "Ikkis" also released a statement, saying, "This new year, gift yourself courage. The true story of India's youngest Param Vir Chakra Awardee, Second Lt. Arun Khetarpal. Some heroes die young. Experience courage in cinemas. #Ikkis releasing on 1st January 2026". They also mentioned that the final trailer of the film will be released in theaters this weekend.
