The Indian cinema industry began the year 2026 on a high note with the release of a magnum opus, which can only be described as heart-wrenching as well as inspiring in every manner. This incredible biographical war drama directed by Sriram Raghavan, titled “Ikkis,” is based on the remarkable life of no less a personage than Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal. While biographical films about the wars are normally known for their high-powered action sequences and fever-pitch patriotism, “Ikkis” for obvious reasons is an exception in this regard.

The release date of the series is January 1, 2026. Ikkis acts as a learning process rather than a history series. This series marks the debut of the new face Agastya Nanda and the last screen appearance of the legendary Dharmendra.

The Story of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal

Even the title of this movie itself says “Twenty-One,” because Arun Khetarpal attained immortality at this age. 

It is a story of a great period of India and its history. It was the age of the Indo-Pak War of 1971 and also of a great battle known as the “Battle of Basantar.” 

Agastya Nanda acted as Arun Khetarpal. Arun Khetarpal was known as the youngest “Param Vir Chakra” and had led his tanks in the heat of battle with a maturity that belied his youth.

The aspect that gives the script by Sriram Raghavan, Arijit Biswas, and Pooja Ladha Surti a unique element is the fact that it has a dual timeline. As we move along the journey of Arun, the cadet, to the martyr in the year 1971, the movie also shifts to the year 2001. This has been depicted where his father, Brigadier M.L. Khetarpal, is seen moving to Pakistan for a reunion.

Noteworthy Performances by Agastya Nanda and Dharmendra

Agastya Nanda makes a very convincing debut. This comes despite the fact that it is difficult to carry off a role where the child can literally talk the wings off a cricket. However, Agastya eschews this approach in favor of something much deeper and meaningful. This actually makes for a great debut.    

But the emotional center of the movie lies in Dharmendra. Playing his last film, he brings a chilling nobility to the screen. His take on a father tormented by the loss of his son is very subdued yet profoundly moving. One of the most intense moments comes when he has a one-on-one confrontation with a former nemesis, brilliantly played by Jaideep Ahlawat. These exchanges are the heartbeat of the movie, because they show that in the midst of warfare, there can be a way to bring out the humanity.

Technical Prowess and Tank Warfare

Sriram Raghavan is known for the accuracy of his storytelling, and *Ikkis* is no exception. The tank fights are mounted in a way that conveys a feeling of claustrophobia, and the viewer is right there in the tanks with the soldiers. This is not your average action film, since the violence in *Ikkis* is not gratuitous.

The cinematography by Anil Mehta perfectly captures the arid, deadly war landscape, and then gradually imbibes the softer, romantic tones of the 2001 sequences. The sound design too has been done very innovatively, and they have effectively used the silence, as they have used the engine sound effects. In fact, the sound design ensures that the film never turns out to be too loud, but rather an absorbing one.

A Rare Anti-War Film in the War Genre

Ikkis can be termed the anomaly in the entirety of Bollywood because the film finds itself situated in the genre of war cinema but with an anti-war theme. Ikkis prioritizes the heart over the screen and compassion over conflict. It conveys the devastating effect war has on families and individuals in order to make one ponder over the futility of war.

The film doesn’t have to resort to catchy phrases in order to establish what “courage” is. Rather, “courage” is established in the silence of a grieving father and in the sacrifice of a young soldier who knew what he was getting into. It is a contemplative and tear-jerking tribute that pays respect to the audience’s intelligence.

Ikkis is an excellent start for 2026 and definitely the must-watch for all those who love character-based stories. It is an apt tribute to the real-life hero and the best sendoff for the cinema legend.