In an era dominated by high-decibel, jingoistic action dramas, Sriram Raghavan’s Ikkis, which released on January 1, 2026, serves as a quiet, deeply moving counter-narrative. The film, a biopic of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, is less about the “spectacle” of war and more about the “soul” of those who fight it.
The title “Ikkis” refers to the age at which Khetarpal (played by Agastya Nanda) was martyred during the 1971 Battle of Basantar, making him the youngest-ever recipient of the Param Vir Chakra.
The Plot: A Tale of Two Timelines
Sriram Raghavan expertly weaves together two distinct emotional landscapes:
- The Past (1971): We follow a fresh-faced, 21-year-old Arun Khetarpal from his days at the NDA to the dusty, fire-lit battlefields of the Indo-Pak conflict. These sequences are shot with raw realism, focusing on the tactical grit of tank warfare rather than slow-motion heroics.
- The Present (2001): Thirty years later, Arun’s father, Brigadier M.L. Khetarpal (Dharmendra), visits Pakistan for a school reunion. He is hosted by retired Brigadier Khwaja Mohammad Naseer (Jaideep Ahlawat), the very man who faced his son on the battlefield. This meeting forms the emotional core of the film, as the two old men grapple with grief, guilt, and mutual respect.
Key Performances
| Actor | Role | Highlight |
| Dharmendra | M.L. Khetarpal | In his final on-screen role, the veteran delivers a masterclass in restrained grief. His silent, teary-eyed moments anchor the film’s “anti-war” theme. |
| Agastya Nanda | Arun Khetarpal | Following a polarizing OTT debut, Nanda delivers a sincere and credible performance. His “Bachchanesque” vulnerability and clean-cut discipline perfectly fit the young officer. |
| Jaideep Ahlawat | Khwaja Naseer | As always, Ahlawat is a force to be reckoned with. His portrayal of a man burdened by the weight of a 30-year-old secret is subtle and powerful. |
| Simar Bhatia | Kiran Kochar | Making her big-screen debut as Arun’s love interest, she brings a sweet, nostalgic charm to the brief but essential romantic sub-plot. |
Critics’ Consensus: “Emotional Mastery Over Explosions”
Reviews for Ikkis have been largely positive, though some have noted its “placid pace” as a potential hurdle for audiences used to fast-paced action.
- Direction: Sriram Raghavan’s decision to avoid “chest-thumping patriotism” has been hailed as a refreshing departure. Critics praised his focus on operational authenticity, particularly the detailed recreation of the Centurion tanks.
- Cinematography: Anil Mehta’s camera work beautifully contrasts the harsh, blood-stained enormity of the battlefield with the poignant, sepia-toned quiet of the 2001 timeline.
- The Message: The film ends with a powerful plea for peace, encapsulated in Dharmendra’s voice: “The wounds of war never heal because someone or the other keeps reopening them.”
Box Office Performance
Despite being a niche war drama, Ikkis opened to a solid ₹7 crore on Day 1. While it faces stiff competition from the blockbuster Dhurandhar (now in its fourth week), it has successfully outpaced the festive rom-com Tu Meri Main Tera.
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