Agastya Nanda, who is making his much-awaited theatrical debut, is already making waves with Twenty One. The biographical war drama, inspired by the life and bravery of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetrapal, released in theaters on January 1, 2026 and is receiving wide appreciation from audiences and critics.
In a short span of just five days, the film has recovered almost 40% of its reported budget, indicating a promising start at the box office despite stiff competition.
Day 5 Box Office Collection: Strong Hold
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According to box office estimates from Sacknilk, Ikkis earned Rs 1.35 crore on its fifth day, demonstrating a steady performance amid limited screen availability. Although it is less than the Rs 3.5 crore earned on opening Friday, the film has maintained a respectable hold due to strong word-of-mouth and the audience’s emotional connect with the story.
The film’s performance has faced challenges at the ticket window, as Ranveer Singh’s Dharandhar continues to dominate the screens in most multiplexes. Additionally, the Sankranthi 2026 release slate, which includes films like The Raja Saab and Jan Nayakan, is expected to further impact the screen availability for Twenty One. Nevertheless, the film’s box office trajectory shows resilience, especially in single-screen theaters and regions where patriotic and biographical content has historically performed well.
day-wise box office performance
Here’s a look at the film’s net collection in India so far:
day 1 [Thursday]: Rs 7 crore
day 2 [Friday]: Rs 3.5 crore (-50.00%)
third day [Saturday]: Rs 4.65 crore (+32.86%)
day 4 [Sunday]: Rs 5 crore (+7.53%)
day 5 [Monday]: Rs 1.35 crore
Total Net Collection (India): Rs 21.5 crore
Despite the limited number of screens, Twenty One has managed to maintain a steady performance in its first week, proving that audience interest goes beyond mere big-budget marketing and star power.
Agastya Nanda’s debut compared with Bollywood peers
Agastya Nanda’s debut film has drawn comparisons with his “uncle” Abhishek Bachchan, whose 2000 debut film Refugee had an average performance and had a lifetime collection of Rs 17.08 crore at the box office. By crossing this milestone in just five days, Nanda has set a strong benchmark for his career, indicating a promising start.
Budget Recovery and Fiscal Outlook
According to Koimoi, made on an estimated budget of Rs 60 crore, Ikkis has recovered almost 40% of its production cost within five days of its release. With the upcoming weekend and Sankranti festival period, trade analysts estimate that the film has a strong chance of reaching the halfway point of its budget recovery if the positive buzz continues.