| Ikkis | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Sriram Raghavan |
| Written by | Sriram Raghavan Arijit Biswas Pooja Ladha Surti |
| Produced by | Dinesh Vijan Binny Padda Sharada Karki Jalota Poonam Shivdasani |
| Starring | Agastya Nanda Dharmendra Jaideep Ahlawat Simar Bhatia |
| Cinematography | Anil Mehta |
| Edited by | Monisha R. Baldawa |
| Music by | Songs: White Noise Collectives Background Score: Sachin–Jigar |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Yash Raj Films (International)[1] |
Release date |
|
Running time | 147 minutes[2] |
| Country | India |
| Language | Hindi |
Ikkis (transl. Twenty One) is an upcoming Indian Hindi-language 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.[3] The film has been directed by Sriram Raghavan and produced by Dinesh Vijan and Binny Padda.[4][5] It stars Agastya Nanda (his first theatrical release), Dharmendra in his final film role, Jaideep Ahlawat and Simar Bhatia. The film was set to release theatrically on 25 December 2025 but was postponed to 1 January 2026.[6][3]
Plot
[edit]The film chronicles the events in the life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal and eventually his martyrdom in the Battle of Basantar during the 1971 India Pakistan War. It also depicts the events that happen when Brigadier ML Khetarpal visits Pakistan 30 years later.[7]
Cast
[edit]- Agastya Nanda as Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, PVC
- Dharmendra as Brigadier ML Khetarpal (Retd.), Arun Khetarpal's father
- Jaideep Ahlawat as Brigadier Khwaja Mohammed Naseer, Pakistan Army Officer[8]
- Jitendar Singh as Sowar Nand Singh
- Shree Bishnoi as Sowar Parag Singh, MD as the driver of Arun's 'Famagusta' tank[9][10]
- Vijendar Singh as ALD Nathu Singh, MD
- Madhusudan Bishnoi as Sowar Bishwanath Singh, MD
- Suhasini Mulay as Maheshwari Khetarpal, Arun Khetarpal's mother
- Sikander Kher as Risaldar Sagat Singh
- Rahul Dev as Lieutenant Colonel (Later Lieutenant General) Hanut Singh, MVC, commanding officer of Second Lt. Arun Khetarpal
- Vivaan Shah as Captain Vijendra Malhotra (Mallu)
- Deepak Dobriyal as Brigadier ML Khetrapal's Friend
- Kailash as Second Lieutenant Brijendra Singh (BRIJ)
- Aryan Pushkar as Second Lieutenant Avtar Ahlawat
- Simar Bhatia[11] as Kiran
- Ekavali Khanna as Maryam Nisar
- Aadyanshi Kapoor
- Guneet Sandhu as Mukesh Khetarpal, Arun Khetarpal's brother[12]
- Mohan Godara[13]
- Asrani as Mr Kishan[14]
Production
[edit]The film has been produced by Dinesh Vijan and Binny Padda, alongside Sharada Karki Jalota, Keval Shah, Antara Banerjee, Naved Farooqui, and Poonam Shivdasani.[12] The film has been co-written by Sriram Raghavan, Arijit Biswas, and Pooja Ladha Surti.[7] The film has been in pipeline since 2019 when it was first announced on Arun Khetarpal's 69th birth anniversary but was delayed due to COVID-19 and reimagined in 2022 with a fresh new cast retaining only Dharmendra as the father, ML Khetarpal.[15] The film has been shot across various locations in North India.[16] The film has a poem titled Aj vi ji karda hai, pind apne nu jaanwa, which has been written and orated by late actor Dharmendra himself.[17][18]
Casting
[edit]The film was first announced in 2019 on 69th anniversary of Arun Khetarpal's birth, with Varun Dhawan in the lead and was supposed to go on floors in 2020. But the film was postponed due to COVID-19. After COVID-19 was over Varun Dhawan couldn't do the film due to date scheduling issues,[19] so newcomer Agastya Nanda was cast in the role of Arun Khetarpal, and the new cast was announced except Dharmendra on 8 December 2022, the 87th birthday of Dharmendra, who reunites with the director again after Johnny Gaddar.[20] Later Akshay Kumar's niece debutant Simar Bhatia was finalised in female lead.[11] Jaideep Ahlawat has been cast as Pakistani Army Officer, Khwaja Mohammed Naseer,[21][22] who confessed to Arun's father Brigadier ML Khetarpal (Retd.) that he was the man who pulled the tank's trigger that killed his son in the Battle of basantar.[23] Sikander Kher, who plays Risaldar Sagat Singh joined the cast in February 2025.[24][25] Shree Bishnoi, a Rajasthani actor who plays Sowar Parag Singh as the driver of Arun's tank 'Famagusta' also joined the cast on 15 October 2024.[26][27] Vijay Ganguly has been roped in as the choreographer for the film. [28]
Filming
[edit]In the film the late actor Dharmendra who plays Brigadier ML Khetarpal has maximum scenes with Jaideep Ahlawat who plays a Pakistani Army officer Khwaja Mohammed Naseer. During shooting sequences Dharmendra for better understanding improvised and rewrote his dialogues in Urdu and other actors cues as well. [29] During the filming, the late actor had recorded a message that 'India and Pakistan' must see the film. This Behind the Scene message was shared by the production team on his 90th birthday on 8 December 2025. [30] During filming of the song 'ikkis' Dharmendra despite his advanced age used to stay awake till early morning to complete the song. [31]
Post production
[edit]Shooting for the film has been completed, and the film is in post production. Sachin-Jigar as part of post production work are also doing background score for the film. Biswadeep Chatterjee has done the sound mixing.[32] This is the first Sriram Raghavan film that has seen extensive use of Visual Effects (VFX) in post-production, to enhance the overall cinematic experience.[33] The late actor Dharmendra struggled during dubbing sessions in October 2025. Sriram Raghavan, the director also revealed that Dharmendra for better understanding improvised and rewrote his dialogues in Urdu. He was eager to watch the complete film but managed to see only about 50 percent in post-production rushes. [34]
Soundtrack
[edit]| Ikkis | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by White Noise Collectives | |||||
| Released | 26 December 2025 | ||||
| Recorded | 2024–2025 | ||||
| Genre | Feature film soundtrack | ||||
| Length | 17:57 | ||||
| Language | Hindi | ||||
| Label | Sony Music | ||||
| Producer | White Noise Collectives | ||||
| |||||
The film's soundtrack is composed by White Noise Collectives, with lyrics written by Amitabh Bhattacharya. The soundtrack of the film is being released on Sony Music.[12] A tribute song on the film, titled 'Ham Fouji Hain' was released on 25 November 2025 on YouTube by Maddock Music. The song has lyrics written by Vaibhav, and music composition by Rooh. The video has been edited by Nonu and the voice has been generated through AI.[35] The first single 'Sitaare' was launched on 3 December 2025, it has been sung by Arijit Singh and lyrics by Amitabh Bhattacharya with music by White Noise Collectives.[36] The second single 'Ban Ke Dikha Ikkis' was released on 9 December 2025. [37] The full album was released by the makers on 26 December 2025.
| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Sitaare" | Arijit Singh | 4:00 |
| 2. | "Tera Aashiq" | Master Saleem, Madhubanti Bagchi | 4:12 |
| 3. | "Sajda" | Vishal Mishra, Asees Kaur | 4:20 |
| 4. | "Ban Ke Dikha Ikkis" | Jasmine Sandlas | 2:52 |
| 5. | "Biraadar Yamma Yamma" | Divya Kumar, Sumonto Mukherjee | 2:33 |
| Total length: | 17:57 | ||
Marketing
[edit]The trailer of the film was attached with the film Thamma.[11] The trailer was officially launched on YouTube on 29 October 2025. The 1st poster was released on 14 October 2025 on Arun Khetarpal's birth anniversary.[38][39] The film originally planned for release on 2 October 2025 has now been postponed for release to 25 December 2025 around the 54th anniversary of Arun Khetarpal's death,[40] the youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra award; mainly to avoid clash with Kantara: Chapter 1 as well as to make full use of Christmas and New Year holiday and festivities.[41] The first teaser was launched on 24 May 2025.[42] The final trailer of the film was launched on 19 December 2025. [43] The cast and crew of the film will be seen in an upcoming special episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati 17. Actor Agastya’s mother, Shweta Bachchan, and his sister, Navya Naveli are guests in this special episode. [44] IGP, a global Direct-to-Consumer gifting platform, has partnered with Maddock Films before the release of ‘Ikkis’. IGP has created a limited-edition co-branded planter inspired by Khetarpal’s values of bravery, resilience, and duty. Each planter has artwork, self-watering pot, hardy snake plant, and soil from Arun Khetarpal memorial at The Lawrence School, all as a living tribute to Arun Khetarpal’s legacy. [45]
Release
[edit]On 28 November 2025, in an ode to the recently deceased actor Dharmendra, the filmmakers Maddock Films have released a poem titled Aj vi ji karda hai, pind apne nu jaanwa, which has been written and orated by Dharmendra himself.[46] The film was set to release theatrically on 25 December 2025 but was postponed to 1 January 2026, becoming the first film to release in 2026.[47][3] The release was postponed due to astrological reasons, as per Amitabh Bachchan the grandfather of Agastya Nanda.[48] [49] A special screening of the film was held in New Delhi on 23 December 2025. The event was attended by the production team of the film, family members of Arun Khetarpal and family members of his tank crew. Also present at the event were Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, and other Indian Army personnel and their families. At the event Rajnath Singh also felicitated the family members of Arun Khetarpal and his tank crew. [50] A day before private screening of the film was held in Bombay, which was attended by the film crew as well Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Akshay Kumar and his sister (mother of Simar Bhatia), as well as others. [51] On 29 December 2025, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol hosted a special screening of Ikkis at PVR ICON in Andheri, Mumbai as a tribute to their father, legendary actor Dharmendra. [52] YRF Films is to distribute Ikkis in the overseas market. [53]
Home media
[edit]The film will have its digital premiere on Amazon Prime Video post its theatrical run.[54] The film will be available for rent on Amazon Prime Video from March 12, 2026 after 2 month theatrical window, and will be available to all subscribers onwards of March 26, 2026. [55]
References
[edit]- ^ "Yash Raj Films to release Ikkis overseas; industry heavyweights Aditya Chopra and Dinesh Vijan collaborate for the FOURTH time in 2025". Bollywood Hungama. 15 December 2025. Retrieved 29 December 2025.
- ^ "EXCLUSIVE: CBFC deletes 15-second dialogue on India-Pakistan relations in Ikkis". Bollywood Hungama. 30 December 2025. Retrieved 30 December 2025.
- ^ a b c "Ikkis Trailer: Agastya Nanda Takes On The Role Of War Hero Arun Khetarpal In Sriram Raghavan's Film". NDTV. 29 October 2025. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
- ^ "'Ikkis' Trailer: Agastya Nanda delivers a powerful portrayal of war hero Arun Khetarpal in Sriram Raghavan's gripping drama". The Times of India. 29 October 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
- ^ "Ikkis trailer out: Agastya Nanda channels war hero Arun Khetarpal's courage and sacrifice. Watch". Hindustan Times. 29 October 2025. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
- ^ "'Ikkis' postponed for THIRD time: Agastya Nanda-Dharmendra starrer shifts to January amid 'Dhurandhar' buzz; avoids Christmas clash with Kartik Aaryan-Ananya Panday's film". The Times of India. 17 December 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
- ^ a b "'Ikkis' Trailer: Agastya Nanda Transforms Into War Hero Arun Khetarpal In Sriram Raghavan's Epic". The Hollywood Reporter India.
- ^ "'Ikkis' Trailer: Agastya Nanda delivers a powerful portrayal of war hero Arun Khetarpal in Sriram Raghavan's gripping drama". Times of India.
- ^ "Rajasthan's Rising Star Shree Bishnoi Set to Captivate in Sriram Raghavan's Epic War Saga IKKIS – Global Release on 25 December 2025". english.dainikjagranmpcg.com. 4 November 2025. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
- ^ "मिठड़िया गांव से निकले युवा ने मनवाया लोहा, बॉलीवुड में अभिनय से छोड़ रहा है छाप". Patrika News (in Hindi). Retrieved 2 December 2025.
- ^ a b c "Ikkis trailer: Agastya Nanda fights for India in Sriram Raghavan-directed war drama". Telegraph India.
- ^ a b c "Ikkis Cast & Crew". bollywood hungama.
- ^ "Ikkis shooting complete: Agastya Nanda 1st look as Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal out". india today.
- ^ https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/ikkis-veeru-dharmendra-and-jailor-asrani-of-sholay-set-to-reunite-one-last-time-in-sriram-raghavans-film/articleshow/125644449.cms
- ^ "Sriram Raghavan"s "Ikkis" to come out in theatres on October 2". The Print.
- ^ "Sriram Raghavan's 'Ikkis' with Agastya Nanda will be shot in North India later this year, more details revealed - Exclusive". times of india.
- ^ "Dharmendra's emotional poem in Ikkis is an ode to his beloved pind. Watch". India Today.
- ^ "Exclusive: Tired Dharmendra Shot His Last Film Ikkis Despite A 'Killing Schedule', Says Director Sriram Raghavan". NDTV.
- ^ "Param Vir Chakra awardee Arun Khetarpal's biopic 'Ikkis' to hit theatres in December". Telegraph India.
- ^ "Dharmendra to share screen with Agastya Nanda in Sriram Raghavan's 'Ikkis'". News18.
- ^ "Agastya Nanda's First Look From Ikkis Out, Film To Release In December 2025". NEWS 18.
- ^ "Ikkis trailer out: Agastya Nanda channels war hero Arun Khetarpal's courage and sacrifice. Watch". hindustantimes.
- ^ "I killed your son Lt Arun Khetarpal: Pak soldier's confession to Indian Brigadier". india today.
- ^ "Ikkis: Sikandar Kher Joins Dharmendra, Jaideep Ahlawat, Agastya Nanda In Sriram Raghavan's Next War Drama". NDTV.
- ^ "Not Varun Dhawan but Agastya Nanda to play war hero Arun Khetarpal PVC in Sriram Raghavan's Ikkis". india today.
- ^ "अभिनेता श्री बिश्नोई की चमक फिल्म "इक्कीस" में – श्रीराम राघवन की बहुप्रतीक्षित युद्धगाथा 25 दिसंबर को रिलीज़ के लिए तैयार - Bhaskar Digital". 5 November 2025. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
- ^ "मिठड़िया गांव से निकले युवा ने मनवाया लोहा, बॉलीवुड में अभिनय से छोड़ रहा है छाप". Patrika News (in Hindi). Retrieved 2 December 2025.
- ^ "Ikkis choreographer lauds Dharmendra's dedication for shooting till 4 AM, calls him 'vibrant and full of life'". ottplay. Retrieved 24 December 2025.
- ^ "Late legend Dharmendra struggled with 'Ikkis' dubbing, rewrote lines in Urdu; reveals Sriram Raghavan". times of india.
- ^ "Team Ikkis shares Dharmendra's final message: India and Pakistan must see the film". india today.
- ^ "Ikkis choreographer lauds Dharmendra's dedication for shooting till 4 AM, calls him 'vibrant and full of life'". ottplay. Retrieved 24 December 2025.
- ^ "Ikkis Cast & Crew". bollywood hungama.
- ^ "Sriram Raghavan's 'Ikkis' with Agastya Nanda will be shot in North India later this year, more details revealed - Exclusive". times of india.
- ^ "Late legend Dharmendra struggled with 'Ikkis' dubbing, rewrote lines in Urdu; reveals Sriram Raghavan". times of india.
- ^ "Ham Fouji Hain". maddock music.
- ^ "Sitaare Song from Ikkis: अरिजीत सिंह की आवाज में रोमांटिक सॉन्ग 'सितारे' हुआ रिलीज, देखें वीडियो". navbharatlive.
- ^ "'Ikkis' का नया ट्रैक बना रियल हीरोज़ को सलाम, 'Ban Ke Dikha' हुआ रिलीज़". punjabkesari.
- ^ "'Agastya Nanda's First Look From Ikkis Out, Film To Release In December 2025". NEWS 18.
- ^ "Bollywood's Diwali blockbuster: Thamma to debut Ikkis trailer, uniting patriotism and horror on the big screen". Bollywood Hungama.
- ^ "Ikkis Cast & Crew". bollywood hungama. 3 November 2025. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
- ^ "Ikkis makers CONFIRM December 2025 release after sidestepping Kantara clash; drop new posters featuring Agastya Nanda". Bollywood Hungama.
- ^ "Maddock Films unveils Ikkis' announcement teaser starring Agastya Nanda, war-drama to release on Gandhi Jayanti: Watch". moneycontrol.
- ^ "Ikkis Final Trailer Out: Agastya Nanda Shines As Lt Arun Khetarpal, Dharmendra's Glimpse Leaves Fans Emotional". news18.
- ^ "Kaun Banega Crorepati 17: Amitabh Bachchan grills grandson Agastya Nanda over who he likes most, 'nana or nani'". Hindustan Times.
- ^ "IGP, Maddock Films partner to celebrate Arun Khetarpal's legacy with themed merchandise". marketech apac.
- ^ "Dharmendra yearns to return to his village in moving poem from final film Ikkis; fans say 'Brought tears to our eyes'". hindustantimes.
- ^ "'Ikkis' postponed for THIRD time: Agastya Nanda-Dharmendra starrer shifts to January amid 'Dhurandhar' buzz; avoids Christmas clash with Kartik Aaryan-Ananya Panday's film". The Times of India. 17 December 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
- ^ "Amitabh Bachchan hints grandson Agastya Nanda's Ikkis not postponed due to Dhurandhar but for 'jyotish vidya'". hindustan times. 17 December 2025. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
- ^ "'Astrology' Postponed Ikkis Release, Says Amitabh Bachchan Amid Dhurandhar Storm". ndtv. 18 December 2025. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
- ^ "Rajnath Singh Attends Special Screening of Agastya Nanda's Ikkis". filmfare. 23 December 2025.
- ^ "Photos: Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar and More Attend Ikkis Screening Ahead of Its Release". filmfare. 22 December 2025.
- ^ [hhttps://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/ikkis-sunny-bobby-deol-to-host-special-screening-of-dharmendras-last-film-in-mumbai-9981950 "Ikkis: Sunny, Bobby Deol To Host Special Screening Of Dharmendra's Last Film In Mumbai"]. ndtv. 22 December 2025.
- ^ "Yash Raj Films to release Ikkis overseas; industry heavyweights Aditya Chopra and Dinesh Vijan collaborate for the FOURTH time in 2025". Bbollywood Hungama. 15 December 2025. Retrieved 29 December 2025.
- ^ "Agastya Nanda's Ikkis to release on THIS OTT platform after theatrical release". OTTPlay.
- ^ "Ikkis OTT partner revealed! Here's when and where you can stream Agastya Nanda's war drama after its theatrical run". OTTPlay.