Ikkis Movie Review: Agastya Nanda’s Grit, Jaideep’s Power And Dharmendra’s Grace

Director – Sriram Raghavan

Author – Sriram Raghavan, Arijit Biswas, Pooja Ladha Surti

Cast: Agastya Nanda, Dharmendra, Jaideep Ahlawat, Simar Bhatia

Duration – 143 Minutes

Rating – 4 Stars

War dramas are usually filled with heavy dialogues, big explosions and lots of noise, but filmmaker Sriram Raghavan is trying a different approach with Ikkis. The film flows organically and doesn’t rely so much on war tropes but on real brave moments, reminding us that the most powerful stories are told thoughtfully. The filmmaker takes the real-life story of Arun Kheterpal and tells it with emotional clarity and dignity. This biographical war drama is unlike anything we’ve seen on the big screen; It chronicles victories on the battlefield, but also the inner lives of those forever shaped by the conflict—the soldiers, the families, and the memories they left behind.

Revolving around the life of India’s youngest Param Vir Chakra recipient, Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, the film does not take any shortcuts to show his bravery and sacrifice; It reveals this in a more dignified, thoughtful and humane way. The narrative unfolds with grace and allows the human element to remain at the forefront throughout the film. A soldier’s courage, loss and emotional turmoil are explored with sensitivity, making Ikkis one of a kind.

The film tells the story in two timelines, which proves to be one of the strongest plus points of the film. The first timeline takes us to December 1971 and the Battle of Basantar, where a fearless 21-year-old Arun Khetarpal leads his tank regiment through heavily mined terrain; One wrong move could mean life or death. Despite having an intense and terrifying war environment, Arun has a brave, attractive and courageous youthful energy that reflects beautifully on the screen. Her innocence and faith make these scenes emotionally compelling beyond the combat mechanics.

War here is depicted as chaotic and frightening, but never indulgent. Raghavan avoids stylized excess by keeping the battle scenes tense, gripping and grounded. Instead of chauvinism, the film focuses on the psychological tension of a young officer who encounters war for the first time and struggles with responsibilities far beyond his age.

Agastya Nanda gives a sincere and dignified performance as Arun Khetarpal. He portrays the character as self-confident and idealistic, brave enough to step forward but impulsive enough to disobey orders; an honest reflection of his youth and temperament. This is no ordinary, extraordinary war hero. Arun feels real, flawed and human. His courage comes through instinct and action rather than dramatic dialogue or background music.

One of the most striking moments in the film is when Arun refuses to abandon his burning tank despite repeated orders to retreat. The scene eschews cinematic melodrama, instead feeling like an inevitable consequence of his values ​​and education. Nanda brings raw intensity to the moment, ensuring that Arun’s sacrifice resonates on a deeply personal level rather than a symbolic martyrdom.

The second timeline, set in 2001, is more introspective and emotionally layered and forms the true backbone of the film. Dharmendra plays Brigadier ML Khetarpal, a father who has been living with the weight of his son’s sacrifice for decades. His encounter with fellow war veteran Brigadier General Khwaja Mohammad Nasir, played with measured authority by Jaideep Ahlawat, takes the film into quieter, more contemplative territory.

This part of Ikkis is refreshingly devoid of political posturing or historical reckoning. Instead, it reflects memory, grief, and the lasting scars of war. It is about survivors and those who must find meaning in what has been lost; Two experienced soldiers look back at the price they paid long after the guns fell silent.

Jaideep Ahlawat gives one of his most controlled and emotionally rich performances. His portrayal is restrained yet deeply expressive, revealing the pain beneath the composure. The scenes she shares with Dharmendra are among the most impressive scenes of the film; based on silence, shared looks and unspoken understanding. Their walks through familiar locales and their eventual visit to the battlefield mark the emotional climax of the narrative.

Dharmendra, unfortunately, delivers a performance of quiet destruction in his last on-screen appearance. It needs very little dialogue; their eyes convey pride, grief, longing, and unresolved sadness with remarkable depth. Her pure presence commands attention and her scenes with Ahlawat feel authentic and deserved, standing out as some of the most touching moments seen in Indian cinema in recent years.

The film is visually realistic. The VFX work is especially effective during the tank battle scenes, which feel realistic and something we have not seen before in Indian cinema. Nothing seems overdone. Every explosion and maneuver serves the story, keeping the focus on the soldiers rather than the spectacle.

The film’s music and background music also follow the same simple approach. The music supports the narrative without going overboard and allows natural sound design to dominate during the battle scenes. In the 2001 timeline, the music becomes sparse and introspective. Dialogue is economical and purposeful; the lines linger not because of dramatic flourish, but because of their honesty.

Raghavan handles the film with emotional maturity and confidence. He trusts that silence carries meaning and allows the audience to interact without spooning emotions. The script, co-written with Arijit Biswas and Pooja Ladha Surti, is tightly structured to balance the two timelines seamlessly. Every scene feels intentional. A special shout out to newbie Simar Bhatia as Arun’s love interest Kiran, who leaves a warm impression despite her limited screen time and offers a glimpse into the life Arun might have lived.

From a production perspective, Ikkis reinforces Maddock Films’ growing commitment to meaningful, content-driven cinema. The studio, known for genre experimentation, is taking a thoughtful risk here by backing a film that prioritizes emotional truth over commercial formula. Attention to detail and respect for history reflect a project that has been carefully executed rather than calculated.

Ikkis is much more than a war movie; It talks about love, duty, grief and belonging, emotions that transcend borders and uniforms. The film achieves something rare by choosing empathy over aggression and memory over messaging.