Ikkis Review: I watched this film expecting a solid war drama. That’s it. I thought I knew the shape of the movie just from the trailer. What I didn’t expect was how quietly devastating it would be, not just because of the war scenes, but because of what it says about loss, duty, and the families left behind.
This isn’t just a movie about bullets and tanks. It’s about what war takes after the last shot is fired.
My Rating: 4.5/5
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Movie Title | Ikkis |
| Genre | War Drama · Biographical · Historical |
| Language | Hindi |
| Director | Sriram Raghavan |
| Story Based On | Real-life story of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal (PVC) |
| Lead Actor | Agastya Nanda |
| Supporting Cast | Dharmendra, Jaideep Ahlawat, Deepak Dobriyal, Sikandar Kher, Vivan Shah, Asrani |
| Runtime | Approx. 2 hours |
The Plot Of Ikkis
Ikkis is not an easy watch, and that’s exactly why it works. The Ikkis film tells the story of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, one of India’s youngest Param Vir Chakra awardees, who was martyred during the 1971 Indo-Pak war.
But instead of turning his life into a loud, chest-thumping spectacle, director Sriram Raghavan chooses something far more difficult — restraint. The story moves between two timelines:
- 1971, during the Battle of Basantar
- 2001, long after the war, when Arun’s father revisits the emotional wreckage left behind
That structure alone tells you this isn’t about “winning a war.” It’s about living with it.
Agastya Nanda as Arun Khetarpal: Quiet, Focused, Earnest
This is Agastya Nanda’s first theatrical lead, and honestly, he carries it with surprising maturity. There’s no hero-posturing here. His Arun is disciplined, grounded, and almost understated, which makes his courage feel real, not cinematic.
What stayed with me was his body language. The way he listens more than he speaks. The way he carries responsibility without announcing it. You believe this guy would step into a tank knowing exactly what it could cost him. That’s not easy to pull off. He does.
Dharmendra: A Farewell That Hurts in the Best Way
I wasn’t prepared for Dharmendra in this film, not because of nostalgia, but because of how raw his performance is.
He plays Arun’s father, M.L. Khetarpal, decades after losing his son. And this isn’t grief played through speeches. It’s grief that lives in silence, in pauses, in the way he looks at people who survived when his son didn’t.
There’s a scene in Pakistan, no spoilers, where a simple embrace says more than pages of dialogue ever could. The entire theater I was in went dead quiet. No popcorn sounds. Nothing.
If this truly is one of Dharmendra’s final performances, then it’s a dignified, painful, and deeply respectful goodbye.
Supporting Cast That Actually Matters
- Jaideep Ahlawat is the backbone of the second timeline. His presence adds tension, moral complexity, and humanity.
- Deepak Dobriyal, in a small but explosive role, delivers one of the film’s most emotionally charged moments.
- Vivan Shah, Sikandar Kher, and Asrani all leave impressions without overstaying their welcome.
Nobody feels wasted here. That’s rare.
The War Scenes: Intense, Grounded, Uncomfortable
Yes, the action is powerful, tanks, gunfire, explosions, but it’s shot in a way that feels claustrophobic, not heroic. You don’t feel excited. You feel anxious. The sound design does a lot of the heavy lifting. Shells don’t just explode, they disorient you.
The camera doesn’t glorify violence; it observes it. And that’s the point.
Music and Songs: Exactly Where They Should Be
No forced patriotic anthems. No emotional manipulation. The background score supports the story and knows when to step back. That restraint keeps the film grounded and respectful.
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The Good & Bad In Ikkis
| What Works | What Doesn’t |
|---|---|
| Emotionally honest storytelling | Slow pacing may test some viewers |
| Dharmendra’s unforgettable performance | Not for audiences expecting nonstop action |
| Grounded, realistic war sequences | Minimal commercial elements |
| Strong direction by Sriram Raghavan | Requires patience and emotional investment |
| Focus on post-war impact, not just battle |
Final Thoughts: Who Should Watch Ikkis?
If you’re looking for a loud, celebratory war film, this isn’t it. But if you want:
- A character-driven war drama
- A film that respects its subject
- A story that stays with you after the credits roll
- A powerful father–son emotional core
Then Ikkis is absolutely worth your time. I walked out of the theater quietly. That doesn’t happen often. This movie doesn’t ask for applause; it asks for reflection. And honestly? That makes it more powerful than most war films released in recent years.
If you’ve already watched it, I’d genuinely love to know — what scene stayed with you the longest?
