Ikkis Movie Review: The Agastya Nanda-Dharmendra Starrer Is An Anti-War Drama Told With Restraint
Rating: 3/5
Director: Sriram Raghavan
Cast: Agastya Nanda, Simar Bhatia, Dharmendra, Jaideep Ahlawat
Storyline:
Ikkis brings to life the powerful true story of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, India’s youngest Param Vir Chakra awardee, who was martyred at just 21 in the 1971 Battle of Basantar.
Set against the chaos of the 1971 Indo-Pak War, the film follows Arun (Agastya Nanda), a young officer sent straight from training to the battlefield.
Alongside the action, we get peeks into his world through his proud father (Dharmendra) and his love story with Kiran (Simar Bhatia). The most intriguing twist? Arun’s courage leaves such a mark that even a Pakistani brigadier (Jaideep Ahlawat) is left in awe, leading to a moving cross-border bond rooted in respect!
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Ikkis Movie Review:
At a time when most war films mistake loudness for bravery, Ikkis chooses a quieter path. And that choice defines the film, both in its strengths and its flaws.
Director Sriram Raghavan steps away from his usual thriller zone and handles patriotism with restraint. There’s no chest-thumping, no slow-motion hero shots, no forced nationalism. Instead, the film focuses on quiet courage, emotional weight, and the personal cost of war. It feels sincere and refreshingly uninterested in being a loud spectacle.
Agastya Nanda fits the role age-wise and comes across as earnest and grounded. You can see the effort he puts in. However, in the more intense emotional moments, where conviction really matters, he falls a bit short. He doesn’t always fully embody the larger-than-life legacy of Arun Khetarpal. That said, this is a clear step up from The Archies, and his sincerity does come through.
Simar Bhatia brings a soft, warm presence to the film, even though her role isn’t written in much depth. She feels natural on screen, and her chemistry with Agastya is sweet. Still, their romance needed stronger writing to truly make an impact.
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The late Dharmendra is the emotional backbone of the film. In his final on-screen appearance, he brings dignity, warmth, and gravitas. Every scene with him feels meaningful, making his presence especially moving.
Ikkis avoids demonizing the ‘other side’, giving both Indian and Pakistani soldiers complex portrayals. Jaideep Ahlawat’s Pakistani brigadier is given a nuanced arc, and despite limited screen time, he leaves a strong impression.
The music and background score stay subtle and never overpower the story. The war sequences are tense and gritty, avoiding glossy heroics. The main drawback is the pacing. The first half feels slow, and the storytelling can be uneven at times.
Overall, Ikkis isn’t perfect, but it’s honest. It chooses emotion over spectacle and restraint over noise.
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