Ikkis, starring Agastya Nanda as Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, will hit theatres December 25, the makers announced Monday. The film chronicles India’s youngest Param Vir Chakra recipient, martyred at 21 during the 1971 Indo-Pak war.
New Poster Features Dharmendra
The makers shared a new poster featuring veteran actor Dharmendra, who portrays Khetarpal’s father. The caption read: “Fathers raise sons. Legends raise nations. Dharmendra ji, an emotional powerhouse as the father of a 21-year-old immortal soldier. One timeless legend brings us the story of another.”
‘Ikkis’ Release Announcement
The team shared the update on Instagram with a poster revealing the release date. The caption stated: “On 25th December, bravery marches into cinemas. Witness the untold true story of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, India’s youngest Param Vir Chakra hero. #IkkisTrailerOutNow – Link in bio. #Ikkis in cinemas worldwide this Christmas.”
Production Details
Ikkis is produced by Maddock Films under Dinesh Vijan, directed by Sriram Raghavan, and written by Raghavan alongside Arijit Biswas and Pooja Ladha Surti. The cast also includes Jaideep Ahlawat and Sikander Kher.
Lead Actor’s Background
Agastya Nanda, who made his acting debut in 2023 with The Archies, plays Arun Khetarpal in the biographical war drama. The role represents a significant departure from his debut, transitioning from a coming-of-age ensemble film to a solo lead portraying a decorated war hero.
Historical Context
Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal was martyred at 21 during the Battle of Basantar in the 1971 Indo-Pak war. He was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra—India’s highest military decoration—becoming the youngest recipient of the honor at that time.
The Battle of Basantar, fought December 16-17, 1971, in the Shakargarh sector, was a crucial engagement during the Bangladesh Liberation War. Khetarpal’s bravery during the battle, where he destroyed several enemy tanks before being fatally wounded, became legendary in Indian military history.
Christmas Release Strategy
The December 25 release positions Ikkis for the lucrative Christmas holiday period, traditionally a strong box office window in India. The patriotic war drama aims to attract audiences seeking inspirational biographical content during the festive season.
The film marks director Sriram Raghavan’s return after previous critically acclaimed thrillers, representing his first biographical war film.
