Agastya Nanda-starrer is ‘heartfelt’, Dharmendra ‘breaks your heart’, Jaideep Ahlawat surprises in Sriram Raghavan film
Starring Agastya Nanda, Jaideep Ahlawat, Dharmendra in his last performance and Akshay Kumar’s niece Simar Bhatia in her acting debut, Ikkis is about the life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, who was martyred at the age of 21 during the Battle of Basantar in the 1971 Indo-Pak war.
Ikkis, the first theater play of Amitabh Bachchan’s grandson Agastya Nanda, is about the life of Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, who was martyred at the age of 21 during the Battle of Basantar in the 1971 Indo-Pak war. For his bravery and sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, making him the youngest person to receive India’s highest military honor at that time. The war drama is also Dharmendra’s last film and stars Arun’s father Brigadier ML Khetarpal, who also serves in the Indian Army. The Sriram Raghavan directorial will release in theaters on January 1, 2026.
Casting director Mukesh Chhabra took to his social media to praise Ikkis, calling the Agastya Nanda-starrer a “heartfelt film told with honesty”. He shared that it broke his heart to see late star Dharmendra in his last performance. Chhabra attended the screening of the film in Mumbai on Monday. “I just watched ‘Ikkis’; a film made entirely from the heart. A gentle, honest piece of storytelling that stays with you long after it’s over. Dharmendra sir… such elegance, such depth. If this is your last film, it truly breaks our hearts. You have left us something so emotional and important. You will be missed sir,” she wrote to X.
Apart from Nanda and Dharmendra, Mukesh also praised Simar Bhatia, Vivan Shah, Sikandar Kher, Jaideep Ahlawat and Sriram Raghavan. “And Jaideep Ahlawat – hats off. I really didn’t expect this and I’m glad I was surprised. Warm welcome to Agastya Nanda and Simar Bhatia – both were beautiful on screen. Caring eyes, wonderful chemistry. Agastya’s innocence and sincerity really shine through. Special mention to Vivan Shah and Sikandar Kher – outstanding work. And most of all – Sriram Raghavan. The man. The master. Once again, sir….once again sincerely.” “It’s a film that feels told and personal.” ” he concluded his words.
I just watched Ikkis, a movie made entirely from the heart. Gentle, honest storytelling that stays with you long after it’s over.
Dharmendra sir…what elegance, what depth. If this is your last movie, it’s truly heartbreaking. You left us something deeply emotional and…— Mukesh Chhabra CSA (@CastingChhabra) December 29, 2025
Ikkis was originally planned to be released on January 10, 2025. The film was later postponed to October 2 to coincide with Gandhi Jayanti and Dussehra. It was postponed for another month to November 7. Finally, Ikkis was planned to hit the screens on December 25, which coincides with Christmas. However, amid the wave of Dhurandhar, the war drama was postponed again and will finally release on the first day of 2026.
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