The makers of the much-anticipated war drama Ikkis have decided to postpone the film’s theatrical release just days before it was set to hit cinemas. Originally scheduled for a Christmas release on December 25 2025 the film will now arrive on January 1 2026. Produced by Dinesh Vijan under the Maddock Films banner the shift comes amid an overcrowded festive box office window and the ongoing dominance of Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna’s Dhurandhar. The decision according to the producers was driven by long-term vision rather than short-term gains. In a conversation with PTI Dinesh Vijan explained that Ikkis is the kind of film that needs space to be discovered and appreciated by audiences. Why was Ikkis pushed ahead of its release? Vijan said releasing the film in a cluttered window would have diluted its impact. “You should always make a decision that works for everyone” he shared. “This film requires breathing room. We’re fortunate to now get a solo date at the beginning of the year.” Drawing parallels with earlier films that benefited from uncluttered releases he added that giving a movie time to grow organically often works better for both audiences and business. Had Ikkis stuck to its Christmas date it would have faced stiff competition from multiple big-ticket releases. Apart from Dhurandhar which continues to pull packed houses even in its later weeks the film would have clashed with Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday’s Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri as well as James Cameron’s global spectacle Avatar: Fire and Ash. How does the new year slot help the film? According to Vijan the New Year window offers a fresh mindset for moviegoers. “When the year changes audiences are open to watching something meaningful” he said. He also pointed out that a solo release allows a film to sustain longer in theatres without being overshadowed. “When you’re getting that kind of space you should take it” he added suggesting that the move benefits not just Ikkis but the overall box office ecosystem. About Ikkis  Directed by Sriram Raghavan Ikkis stars Agastya Nanda in the lead role. The film also features Dharmendra in what is being described as his final on-screen appearance along with Jaideep Ahlawat in a key role. The story is based on the life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal who was martyred at the age of just 21 during the Battle of Basantar in the 1971 Indo-Pak war. His extraordinary courage earned him India’s highest military honour the Param Vir Chakra. With its release now locked for January 1 2026 Ikkis is positioned as the first major Hindi release of the year one that hopes to begin 2026 on a powerful patriotic note while giving its story the space it deserves to resonate with audiences.