IKKIS (2026) Movie Review

ikkis English review

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Maddock and Sriram Raghavan get together to create another gem. The director of *Andhadhun*, *Badlapur*, and *Merry Christmas* collaborates with Maddock, the creators of *Stree*. They show the industry how a war movie is made: no chest-thumping, no jingoistic maneuvers, no black and white.

It's the story of Arun Khetarpal (Agastya Nanda), India's youngest Param Veer Chakra winner. It's a story narrated from the eyes of his father, Brigadier M.L. Khetarpal (Dharmendra). Thirty years after Arun's martyrdom, his father visits Pakistan for a school reunion in his village. He is hosted by Brigadier Jaan Mohammad Nisar. Nisar was the commander of the 13th Lancers tank brigade of Pakistan who faced Arun of Poona Horse in the final battle of Basantar. Nisar hosts, and the story unfolds as they talk about the pain, loss, and hardships of war.

The cast is a gem of a team. The evergreen Dharmendra, in his last movie as M.L. Khetrapal, gives us emotional moments that only a veteran with years of experience can deliver. Jaideep Ahlawat, as Brigadier Nisar, provides the towering moments of the movie; he is one of the best actors in today's times. Then there is Sikandar Kher, the guru of Arun, who is again amazing in his rawness. Vivaan Shah, son of Naseeruddin Shah, shows traits of his father blooming in him.

A small stint by Asrani ji with Dharmendra is such a nostalgic moment. Also worth mentioning is a guest appearance by Deepak Dobriyal. Agastya Nanda is amazing, as the bloodline of Harivanshrai, Amitabh, and Jaya Bachchan runs in his DNA. He plays the role of Arun Khetrapal and not Agastya. I am amazed by his work. Simar Bhatia, as Kiran, Arun's girlfriend, also blooms in the limited screen time she gets. The use of old '70s music is so astonishingly integrated into the movie that we are truly transported to those times due to the use of the songs.

This movie is from the eyes of a soldier's perspective. It shows the pain of war. A death is not just of a soldier, but of so many families connected to him. In this war, there is no enemy; it's only soldiers following orders to defend their country. In a scene where both Arun and Nisar's fathers are visiting the place of war after 30 years, in a school which was a war-room then, on the school board it's written "Do the tough right then the easy wrong." So subtle but so important. In another scene, Arun tells his colleagues in NDA (National Defense Academy) that "he is confused which is more important: Duty or Responsibility to the team." And really, this is a question which needs to be answered by oneself only. In another scene, Arun's father says, "वो इक्कीस का था और हमेशा इक्कीस का ही रहेगा" - a very touching moment. There are so many such moments that will touch and be in your mind for long.

Really, this movie is a must-watch to see the emotions of war and the price a soldier pays to be in war. It's so apt in today's warmongering times. It's an easy-paced movie from the eyes of an 80-year-old war veteran and father of a soldier. A must-watch to start the year on such a nostalgic note.

🌟🌟🌟💫 AKG RATING.