Exhibitors across India have begun reshuffling schedules as Ikkis, starring Agastya Nanda alongside the late Dharmendra, prepares for release on 1 January. Distributors with ties to Jio Studios have asked cinemas to trim shows of the Ranveer Singh starrer Dhurandhar in favour of Ikkis, resulting in substantial changes at single‑screen and smaller multiplex venues.
Dhurandhar Ikkis shows allocation and impact
According to exhibition sources, Jio Studios is both producer and distributor of Ikkis and also served as distributor for Dhurandhar. That alignment has allowed distributors to request a 30 to 40 per cent showcasing for Ikkis in many markets. In practice this has meant Dhurandhar screenings being cut from four shows a day to two in a number of single‑screen cinemas from 1 January.
Sources say the distribution plan specifies four shows a day in two‑screen cinemas, six in three‑screen venues and eight in four‑screen multiplexes, with 10 or more shows in cinemas with five screens and above. Exhibitors were also asked to avoid scheduling very early morning shows for Ikkis, reflecting an expectation that the title will grow through word of mouth rather than morning footfall.
The shift is visible in listings checked by industry trackers. Several prominent single‑screens and smaller multiplexes in Mumbai and elsewhere have halved Dhurandhar shows, while Ikkis has secured four shows a day in larger auditoriums such as the 819‑seat Galaxy. The romcom Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri has found it harder to gain prime slots in some complexes and will continue in smaller auditoria in several cities.
To preserve affordability, distributors have instructed exhibitors to maintain regular weekend pricing for Ikkis. The move appears designed to encourage attendance without depressing overall revenue per ticket, while allowing Ikkis to reach a wide audience quickly.
Not every venue will follow the same pattern. Some single‑screen theatres in mass markets are expected to continue showing Dhurandhar in prime slots because of local demand. A handful of smaller single‑screens have chosen limited release strategies and may not screen Ikkis at all. In certain Mumbai venues programming decisions reflect local audience tastes, with some theatres splitting shows between Dhurandhar and regional titles such as the Marathi film Krantijyoti Vidyalay Marathi Madhyam.
Trade experts note that the advantage for Ikkis is not only in raw screen counts but also in securing presence in single‑screen venues that traditionally bolster box office takings for mass‑appeal films. While Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri has broader romantic comedy appeal, Ikkis benefits from a concentrated slot strategy in locations where it can attract larger audiences.
For Dhurandhar the reduction in shows comes as the film approaches its fifth week in cinemas, a stage when distributors often reallocate capacity to new releases. The reconfiguration demonstrates how distributor relationships and release strategies can quickly reshape exhibition patterns and affect competing titles at the box office.
As Ikkis opens, audience response and early box office will determine whether the new allocation sustains or if exhibitors revert to different mixes in the second week. For now, the rebooking underlines the commercial choreography that governs release calendars and the influence major distributors exert on exhibitor programming.
Key Takeaways:
- Jio Studios has reallocated screens so Ikkis gains significant shows from 1 January while Dhurandhar screenings are reduced.
- Many single‑screen cinemas will cut Dhurandhar shows by 50% to accommodate Ikkis; ticket pricing will remain at regular weekend rates.
- Ikkis will receive concentrated slots in larger multiplexes and select single‑screens, with strategic timing to build audience through word of mouth.
- The shift in schedules highlights distributor leverage in city markets and the competitive dynamics between Dhurandhar and new releases such as Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri.
