Ikkis Movie Review: Agastya Nanda's Theatrical Debut and A Heartbreaking Farewell to Dharmendra (2026)
‘Ikkis’ is Not the War Movie You Expect, It’s the One We Need. (A Tearful Goodbye to a Legend)
Sriram Raghavan drops his signature twists for a deeply emotional, classy tribute to Second Lt. Arun Khetarpal. Here is review of the film that has kicked off Bollywood's 2026 calendar.
Read our honest Ikkis movie review. Sriram Raghavan’s war drama starring Agastya Nanda & Dharmendra is a soulful masterpiece. Is it worth watching? Find out here.
The lobby of the cinema was unusually quiet. There was none of that post-movie chatter. Just a collective, heavy silence and more than a few people wiping their eyes.
That silence is perhaps the biggest victory for director Sriram Raghavan.
Going into Ikkis, ones expectations could be mixed. A Sriram Raghavan film usually means edge-of-the-seat suspense, dark humor, and neo-noir style (Andhadhun, Badlapur). A biopic about the youngest Param Vir Chakra recipient, set during the 1971 war, seemed way out of his comfort zone.
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Ikkis - The Anti-War War Movie.
If you are expecting loud chest-thumping, screaming dialogues, and over-the-top villainizing, Ikkis will disappoint you.This is a remarkably restrained film. Raghavan focuses less on the glory of battle and more on the human cost of it. The narrative beautifully weaves between two timelines: the making of a young hero in Arun Khetarpal (Agastya Nanda) leading up to the Battle of Basantar in 1971, and a deeply moving present-day reconciliation track involving his father (Dharmendra) and a Pakistani officer (Jaideep Ahlawat).
It’s a brave choice to make a film that says, "Yes, they were heroes, but look at the terrible price they paid."
Agastya Nanda in Ikkis - The Agastya Nanda Redemption
Let’s address the elephant in the room. After The Archies, many were skeptical about Agastya Nanda carrying a film of this weight.He is a revelation here. As the 21-year-old Arun, he doesn’t try to play a larger-than-life "hero." He plays a boy—earnest, charming, slightly naive about the world, but rock-solid in his duty. You believe his transformation from a playful NDA cadet to the man who refused to abandon his burning tank. It’s a sincere, grounded performance that anchors the film.
The Titans: Dharmendra and Jaideep Ahlawat
This is where the movie breaks your heart.Seeing the legendary Dharmendra in what is billed as his final major role is an emotional experience in itself. He plays Brigadier M.L. Khetarpal with a crumbling dignity that is painful to watch. He doesn't need dialogues; his eyes convey decades of grief of a father who outlived his brilliant son.
Across from him is the ever-reliable Jaideep Ahlawat. Their scenes together in the second half are masterclasses in acting. They bring a quiet maturity to the screen that elevates the film from a mere biopic to a profound commentary on shared grief across borders.
The Gritty Reality of Tank Warfare
We haven’t seen tank battles depicted like this in Indian cinema before. The Battle of Basantar sequence is claustrophobic, dusty, loud, and terrifying. There is no glamour here—just steel, fire, and young men dying too soon. The technical team deserves massive applause for keeping it gritty rather than CGI-glossy.Ikkis Movie Verdict
Is the movie perfect? No. The first half, focusing on Arun’s training and a gentle romance, drags a little in places. The pacing is deliberate, which might test the patience of this generation.But these are minor quibbles in what is otherwise a deeply moving cinematic experience. Ikkis is a classy, respectful tribute that understands that the loudest way to honor a hero is sometimes through quiet remembrance.
Bring tissues. You will need them, especially for that final shot of Dharmendra.
Final Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5 Stars) A poignant, necessary watch.
Whatever you do, don't miss the end credits featuring real footage of 2nd Lt. Arun Khetarpal.
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