Ikkis is a Hindi biographical war drama directed by Sriram Raghavan and based on the life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, one of India’s youngest recipients of the Param Vir Chakra. The film features Agastya Nanda in the lead role, with Dharmendra and Jaideep Ahlawat in important parts. It takes viewers back to the 1971 India-Pakistan War and focuses on courage, duty, family, friendship and the human cost of conflict.
Unlike a conventional war film that depends heavily on action, loud patriotic moments and battlefield spectacle, Ikkis takes a more personal route. The story tries to show the person behind the soldier and the emotions surrounding those who go to war.
So, is Ikkis worth watching? Does Agastya Nanda succeed in carrying the central character? How do Dharmendra and Jaideep Ahlawat perform? And does Sriram Raghavan’s restrained style work for a war drama?
Here is our detailed Ikkis movie review, covering the story, performances, direction, strengths, weaknesses and final verdict.
Ikkis Movie Details
| Category | Details |
| Movie | Ikkis |
| Genre | Biographical, War, Drama |
| Language | Hindi |
| Director | Sriram Raghavan |
| Lead Cast | Agastya Nanda, Dharmendra, Jaideep Ahlawat |
| Based On | The life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal |
| Historical Setting | 1971 India-Pakistan War |
| Release Date | January 1, 2026 |
| Runtime | Approximately 2 hours 24 minutes |
| Main Character | Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal |
| Our Rating | 3.5/5 |
The film is based on a real historical figure and presents his story through a combination of military duty and personal relationships. The runtime gives the movie enough space to explore its characters rather than rushing from one battle sequence to another.
Ikkis Movie Review: What Is the Story About?
At its heart, Ikkis is the story of a young soldier who finds himself facing an extraordinary situation during the 1971 war.
Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal was very young when he entered the battlefield. The film uses his story to explore what happens when a young person’s training, courage and sense of responsibility are tested under extreme circumstances.
The movie does not treat Arun simply as a larger-than-life war hero. It also attempts to show the person behind the uniform.
That approach gives the story two different sides.
On one side, there is:
- Military responsibility
- Courage under pressure
- Loyalty toward fellow soldiers
- Duty toward the country
- The reality of battlefield decisions
On the other side, there is:
- Family
- Friendship
- Youth
- Fear
- Relationships
- The emotional cost of war
This balance is one of the more interesting aspects of Ikkis.
The film understands that a soldier is not only a person fighting on a battlefield. He is also someone’s son, friend and family member.
That emotional perspective gives the movie more depth than a straightforward action-oriented war film.
Ikkis and the 1971 War
The historical setting is an important part of the movie.
The story takes place during the 1971 India-Pakistan War, a period that had a major impact on the history of the Indian subcontinent. The film uses this background to tell Arun Khetarpal’s story.
However, Ikkis does not appear interested in turning every historical moment into a grand action sequence.
Instead, the war works as the environment in which the characters are tested.
This is an important distinction.
Viewers expecting continuous explosions, large-scale combat and fast-moving action may find the movie more restrained than expected. Those who enjoy character-driven historical dramas may appreciate the slower approach.
The film’s focus is ultimately not just on what happens during war, but also on what war does to people.
Sriram Raghavan’s Direction
Sriram Raghavan is known for creating films that often rely on atmosphere, characters and tension rather than simply explaining everything to the audience.
That style is visible in Ikkis as well.
The direction tries to maintain a serious and controlled tone. Instead of constantly telling viewers how heroic or emotional a particular moment is, the film often allows the situation and performances to communicate the emotion.
This can be both a strength and a weakness.
What works in the direction?
The restrained approach gives certain scenes a sense of realism. The characters are allowed to breathe, and the story does not always rush toward the next major event.
The film also avoids making every patriotic moment overly dramatic.
That makes some of its emotional scenes feel more natural.
Where does it struggle?
The same restraint can make certain portions feel slower than they need to be.
A war drama requires a good balance between character development and momentum. When the emotional build-up works, the slower pace helps. When it doesn’t, the movie can feel somewhat uneven.
This means the direction will probably work better for viewers who enjoy thoughtful storytelling than for people looking for a fast-paced war entertainer.
Agastya Nanda as Arun Khetarpal
Agastya Nanda has one of the most challenging responsibilities in Ikkis because he plays the central character.
Arun Khetarpal’s story requires the actor to show both the enthusiasm of a young soldier and the seriousness of someone facing life-changing circumstances.
Nanda brings sincerity to the role.
There are moments when his youthful appearance works in the film’s favour because it reminds viewers how young Arun actually was. The character does not feel like an older action hero suddenly placed into a military uniform.
Instead, the film presents him as a young man growing into his responsibility.
What works?
- His youthful screen presence suits the character.
- He brings sincerity to the role.
- His transformation into a soldier is convincing in several scenes.
- His quieter moments work better than overly dramatic ones.
- He carries much of the emotional responsibility of the film.
However, the performance is not completely flawless.
Some of the heavier emotional scenes require greater intensity, and there are moments where the performance feels less powerful than the surrounding material.
Still, Ikkis gives Agastya Nanda an opportunity to show a more serious side of his acting, and the film represents an important step in his career.
Dharmendra’s Performance
Dharmendra brings a different kind of emotional weight to Ikkis.
His presence adds maturity to the film, particularly in scenes involving family and personal relationships.
Instead of depending on loud dialogue or exaggerated emotion, his performance benefits from his natural screen presence.
There is a certain warmth in his character that makes the family-oriented portions of the story more effective.
His scenes also carry an additional emotional significance because audiences are seeing one of Hindi cinema’s veteran stars in an important role.
The performance feels dignified and experienced.
For many viewers, Dharmendra may become one of the most memorable parts of the movie.
Jaideep Ahlawat’s Performance
Jaideep Ahlawat is another major strength of Ikkis.
He brings a controlled and mature quality to his character. His performance does not feel unnecessarily theatrical, which suits the overall tone of the film.
Ahlawat understands how much can be communicated through expressions, pauses and body language.
His character provides an interesting contrast to the younger Arun.
Where Arun represents youth and developing courage, Ahlawat’s character brings experience and authority.
This difference creates some of the film’s strongest character interactions.
Among the supporting performances, Jaideep Ahlawat stands out because he manages to create a strong presence without trying to dominate every scene.
Ikkis Movie Review: Performances at a Glance
| Actor | Role | Our View |
| Agastya Nanda | Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal | Sincere and promising |
| Dharmendra | M.L. Khetarpal | Warm and dignified |
| Jaideep Ahlawat | Brigadier Jaan Mohammad Nisar | Controlled and impressive |
| Simar Bhatia | Important supporting role | Adds to the personal side of the story |
The performances work best when the movie allows the actors to communicate through small emotional moments instead of relying entirely on dramatic speeches.
Ikkis Movie Review: Storytelling and Emotional Impact
One of the biggest differences between Ikkis and a conventional war movie is its emotional approach.
The film is less interested in simply showing soldiers fighting and more interested in exploring the consequences of conflict.
There is an underlying idea throughout the movie:
War may create heroes, but it also creates loss.
That idea gives the story emotional depth.
The movie also attempts to look beyond simple divisions between people. It presents characters on different sides of the conflict as human beings rather than reducing everything to easy stereotypes.
This makes the story more reflective.
However, viewers who prefer extremely emotional storytelling may feel that some scenes could have been given greater intensity.
The movie sometimes chooses silence where another film might choose a powerful musical cue or dramatic dialogue.
Whether that works depends heavily on the individual viewer.
What Works Well in Ikkis?
There are several things that make Ikkis worth considering.
1. Strong Central Story
The real-life inspiration behind Arun Khetarpal’s story provides the film with a naturally compelling foundation.
2. Strong Supporting Performances
Dharmendra and Jaideep Ahlawat add considerable weight to the movie.
3. Controlled Direction
The film avoids turning every scene into a loud patriotic moment.
4. Human Approach to War
The movie attempts to show the emotional cost of conflict instead of presenting war purely as entertainment.
5. Historical Setting
The 1971 war gives the story a meaningful historical background.
6. Character Focus
The film spends time establishing relationships rather than immediately moving from one action sequence to another.
What Doesn’t Work as Well?
No movie is perfect, and Ikkis has a few limitations.
1. Slow Pace in Places
The restrained storytelling occasionally makes the film feel slower than necessary.
2. Uneven Emotional Impact
Some scenes that are designed to be powerful may not affect every viewer equally.
3. Limited Action for War-Movie Fans
If you are expecting a nonstop military action film, Ikkis may feel quieter than expected.
4. Agastya Nanda’s Emotional Range
Although Nanda brings sincerity to the character, some of the most emotionally demanding moments could have been stronger.
5. Not a Conventional Patriotic Entertainer
The film’s approach is more reflective than celebratory, which may not appeal to everyone.
Music, Cinematography and Technical Aspects
The technical presentation supports the serious tone of the movie.
The cinematography helps establish the period and atmosphere without making every frame feel unnecessarily grand.
The visual treatment is generally more focused on realism and mood than spectacle.
The background music also follows the emotional tone of the story. Rather than constantly pushing the audience toward an emotional reaction, the film often keeps the soundscape relatively controlled.
This approach works with the director’s larger vision, although viewers looking for memorable, high-energy musical moments may find the soundtrack less prominent.
The production design and costumes also help establish the period setting and military environment.
Ikkis Movie Review: Is It Worth Watching?
Yes, but it depends on what you expect from the film.
If you enjoy historical dramas, realistic war stories and character-focused movies, Ikkis is worth watching.
The film is particularly suitable for viewers who want more than battlefield action.
You may enjoy Ikkis if you like:
- Historical stories
- Biographical films
- War dramas
- Emotional family stories
- Character-driven cinema
- Sriram Raghavan’s filmmaking style
- Performances by experienced actors
- Stories based on real people
On the other hand, you may want to lower your expectations if you are looking for:
- Constant action
- Fast pacing
- Large-scale battle sequences throughout
- Loud patriotic dialogues
- A conventional commercial war entertainer
The movie asks its audience to be patient with its storytelling.
Ikkis Movie Rating
Our Rating: 3.5/5
| Category | Rating |
| Story | 4/5 |
| Direction | 3.5/5 |
| Agastya Nanda | 3.5/5 |
| Dharmendra | 4/5 |
| Jaideep Ahlawat | 4/5 |
| Cinematography | 3.5/5 |
| Emotional Impact | 3.5/5 |
| Overall | 3.5/5 |
The rating reflects a film that has a strong story and good performances but may not work equally well for audiences looking for a faster and more conventional war experience.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ikkis
1. What is Ikkis about?
Ikkis is a biographical war drama based on the life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, who fought during the 1971 India-Pakistan War.
2. Who plays Arun Khetarpal in Ikkis?
Agastya Nanda plays Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal in the film.
3. Who directed Ikkis?
The film is directed by Sriram Raghavan.
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Ikkis Movie Review: Final Verdict
Ikkis is not simply a story about a soldier going to war. It is an attempt to understand the young man behind the uniform and the people connected to him.
That is where the movie finds its strongest identity.
Agastya Nanda gives a sincere performance as Arun Khetarpal, while Dharmendra adds warmth and emotional maturity. Jaideep Ahlawat is another standout, bringing quiet authority and depth to his role.
Sriram Raghavan chooses a controlled storytelling style rather than turning the movie into a nonstop patriotic spectacle. At times, this approach makes the film thoughtful and emotionally mature. At other times, it causes the pace to slow down and some emotional moments to lose their impact.
Overall, Ikkis is best appreciated as a character-driven historical war drama rather than a conventional action movie.
It may not satisfy everyone, but its attempt to explore courage, sacrifice, family and the human cost of war gives it something meaningful to say.
Final Verdict: 3.5/5
If you enjoy serious historical dramas and performances-driven cinema, Ikkis deserves a place on your watchlist.