War films often arrive loaded with slogans, background scores that shout patriotism, and speeches that aim to raise goosebumps on command. Ikkis chooses a very different path. Directed by Sriram Raghavan, the film looks at war not as a spectacle, but as a deeply personal experience. It asks quiet questions instead of delivering loud answers. It observes courage without glorifying violence. And most importantly, it remembers that every act of bravery leaves behind families, memories, and silence. The film stars Dharmendra, Agastya Nanda, Jaideep Ahlawat, Simar Bhatia, Sikandar Kher, Vivaan Shah, Ekavali Khanna, and Shree Bishnoi.
Inspired by the true story of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, the youngest Param Vir Chakra awardee, Ikkis moves at its own pace. It does not rush to impress. It takes its time, trusts the audience, and leaves a lingering emotional impact. This is not a film meant to thrill you instantly. It is meant to stay with you long after the final scene fades.
Ikkis Story
The story unfolds across two timelines, each carrying its own emotional weight. The first timeline takes us to the Battle of Basantar during the 1971 Indo-Pak war. Arun Khetarpal, just 21 years old, is summoned to the battlefield before completing his training. He is young, idealistic, and driven by a quiet sense of duty rather than bravado.
Played by Agastya Nanda, Arun is portrayed as a young officer eager to serve, not chase glory. The film does not romanticize his decision. It shows fear, hesitation, and the sudden weight of responsibility that comes with command. His interactions with fellow soldiers, superiors, and his unit humanize the man behind the uniform.
Back home, his family reacts with restraint that speaks volumes. When Arun excitedly tells his mother that he is heading to war, her response is heartbreakingly simple. She asks him to eat before leaving. In that one line, the film captures the emotional steel that families of soldiers are forced to develop.
The second timeline is set three decades later. Arun’s father, Brigadier M.L. Khetarpal, now elderly, decides to visit his hometown in what is now Pakistan. This journey becomes the emotional spine of the film. As he travels through unfamiliar yet once-familiar land, he begins to learn details about his son’s final moments. The past and present slowly merge, revealing not just how Arun died, but who he was when he lived.
Ikkis Movie Review
Sriram Raghavan’s direction is controlled, mature, and deeply respectful. He resists the temptation to turn war into spectacle. The tank battles are intense but never exaggerated. Sound design is used sparingly. Silence often does more work than music. Explosions do not overwhelm emotions. They serve the story.
The screenplay, co-written by Raghavan along with Arijit Biswas and Pooja Ladha Surti, is thoughtful and layered. By balancing two timelines, the film avoids becoming one-dimensional. The war sequences show courage under fire, while the later timeline explores grief, pride, and unresolved questions.
Dialogues are one of the film’s quiet strengths. Conversations between soldiers feel natural, filled with dry humour and camaraderie. The exchanges between Arun’s father and his Pakistani host, played by Jaideep Ahlawat, are especially moving. There is no hostility here. Only shared memories, mutual respect, and the understanding that loss transcends borders.
Technically, Ikkis is restrained but effective. The cinematography captures the battlefield without stylizing it excessively. The editing maintains a steady rhythm, though a few portions in the latter half could have benefited from tighter pacing. The background score is minimal, letting emotion take centre stage. In several scenes, silence becomes the loudest sound in the theatre.
The film may feel slow to some viewers accustomed to fast-paced narratives. But this slowness is deliberate. It allows moments to breathe and emotions to sink in. Ikkis does not demand your attention. It earns it.
Ikkis Performances
Dharmendra delivers one of his most understated performances. As a father burdened by pride and pain, he speaks very little. Yet, his silences are filled with emotion. Watching him process memories of his son without overt melodrama is quietly devastating. This performance alone elevates the film.
Agastya Nanda makes a confident and sincere debut. He plays Arun Khetarpal without theatrics. His bravery is evident in his decisions rather than his dialogue. He looks believable as a young officer learning the weight of leadership. There is innocence in his smile and resolve in his eyes, making his journey deeply affecting.
Jaideep Ahlawat brings calm authority to his role. His performance is measured, carrying wisdom and restraint. His scenes with Dharmendra form the emotional high points of the film. Their shared screen presence is powerful without being loud.
Simar Bhatia, in a limited role, adds emotional softness as Arun’s girlfriend. She represents the life Arun might have lived, making his sacrifice feel even more poignant.
The supporting cast, including Sikandar Kher and Vivaan Shah, delivers solid performances that add credibility to the world of the film.
Final Verdict
Ikkis is a sensitive and deeply moving war drama that chooses humanity over heroics. It stands as a strong example of how war stories can be told with dignity and restraint. Its biggest strength lies in its emotional honesty. It does not glorify war. It remembers its cost.
Ikkis’ pacing may not appeal to everyone, but those willing to surrender to its rhythm will find it rewarding. Strong performances, especially by Dharmendra and Agastya Nanda, combined with assured direction, make Ikkis a film worth experiencing.
This is not a film about victory alone. It is about memory. About sacrifice. And about the quiet courage it takes to live with loss.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐½ (3.5 / 5)
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