PLOT: Amidst the 1971 Indo-Pak war, young soldier Arun Khetrapal faces history’s crucible as tanks roll and tensions soar, his valour shaping an enduring legacy.
Ikkis is a biographical war drama film based on the life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal and centered around the Battle of Basantar during the 1971 India–Pakistan War. The film’s title is in reference to the age at which Arun Khetarpal attained martyrdom. The film has been directed by Sriram Raghavan and produced by Dinesh Vijan and Binny Padda. The film was set to release theatrically on 25 December 2025 but was postponed to 1 January 2026.
Star Cast:
Agastya Nanda as Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal
Dharmendra as Brigadier Madan Lal Khetarpal (Retd.)
Jaideep Ahlawat as Brigadier Jaan Mohammad Nisar Pak Army Officer
Simar Bhatia as Kiran Kochar
Sikander Kher as Risaldar Sagat Singh
Rahul Dev as Lieutenant Colonel Hanut Singh
Vivaan Shah as Captain Vijendra Malhotra (Mallu)
Jitendar Singh as Sowar Nand Singh
Shree Bishnoi as Sowar Parag Singh
Vijendar Singh as ALD Nathu Singh
Madhusudan Bishnoi as Sowar Bishwanath Singh
Suhasini Mulay as Maheshwari Khetarpal
Deepak Dobriyal as Jahangir
Kailash as Second Lieutenant Brijendra Singh
Aryan Pushkar as Second Lieutenant Avtar Ahlawat
Ekavali Khanna as Mrs. Maryam Nisar
Aadyanshi Kapoor as Family Member
Guneet Sandhu as Mukesh Khetarpal
Asrani as Mr Asghar
Pragati Anand as Kiran’s friend
Mamik as Pakistani General
Zakir Hussain as ISI Officer
Adel Ibrahim as Major Pv Sahadevan
Abhishek Duhan as Major Hoshiyar Singh
Avani Rai as Saba
Saurabh Dubey as Pakistani General
Amit Jairath as Lt Col Ajai Singh
Baharul Islam as Capt Zafar
Kailash Gowthaman as 2nd Lt Brijendra Singh
Aryan Pushkar as 2nd Lt Avtar Singh Ahlawat
Ranvijay Singh as 2nd Lt Altaf Alam
Vijender Poniyal as Paresh Kamdaar
Abhijeet Singh as Capt Siraj, 13 Lancer
MOVIE REVIEW: Ikkis arrives with the quiet confidence of a film that knows exactly what it wants to say and trusts its audience to listen. Deeply emotional, rigorously honest, and refreshingly non-jingoistic, it reminds us that bravery has no age. This is not a war film obsessed with chest-thumping nationalism, it is a human story set against the chaos of conflict, and that distinction makes all the difference. That honesty gives Ikkis a moral clarity that separates it from most war movies made in recent decades.
Visually, the film is spectacular. The cinematography is immersive without being indulgent, capturing both the vastness of the battlefield and the intimacy of its characters’ inner worlds. There is a battle sequence that genuinely raises the bar for Indian cinema, not just because of its technical finesse, but because of how it is staged emotionally. The action serves the story, not the other way around. The film allows character arcs to unfold with patience and purpose. The dialogues deserve special mention, sharp, thoughtful, and emotionally resonant.
Performances across the board are remarkably honest. Dharmendra is unforgettable, commanding yet tender. Jaideep Ahlawat delivers an outstanding performance, he plays complexity with remarkable control. For Agastya Nanda, this marks a strong debut theatrical outing. He brings sincerity and vulnerability to his role. Simar Bhatia, also making her acting debut, impresses with quiet confidence. Cameo appearances by Deepak Dobriyal and the late Asrani are beautifully integrated into the narrative. Sikander Kher, Rahul Dev, Vivaan Shah, and all the supporting actor played their part very well.
A perfect film to begin the year with, and a reminder of what Indian cinema can achieve when craft, conviction, and compassion come together. In Sriram Raghavan’s assured hands, IKKIS becomes more than a war film.
Ikkis Movie Rating:
Direction 4/5
Acting 3.5/5
Music 3/5
Story 3.5/5
Screenplay 3.5/5
Overall Hit ya Flop Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Stars (Very Good)
Highly Recommended 
