NEW DELHI: Every few years, a film comes along that does more than just entertain—it reintroduces us to a chapter of our history that we ought to know by heart. This year, that film is Ikkis.
Directed by the master of suspense, Sriram Raghavan, Ikkis marks the high-stakes theatrical debut of Agastya Nanda. But while the spotlight is on the young Bachchan grandson, the heart of the story belongs to a man who became a legend before he was even old enough to rent a house: Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal.
As the film trends across social media following its New Year’s Day release, audiences are asking: Who was the real man behind the uniform? How much of the movie is true? And why is his story still considered the “gold standard” of bravery in the Indian Army?
Who was Arun Khetarpal?
Born in 1950 into a family with deep military roots, Arun Khetarpal was, by all accounts, a typical young man of his time. He was a bright student at the Lawrence School, Sanawar, and later joined the National Defence Academy (NDA).
However, his life changed forever in December 1971. At just 21 years old, Khetarpal was commissioned into the 17 Poona Horse regiment. While most 21-year-olds today are figuring out their first jobs or finishing college, Khetarpal was thrust into the “Battle of Basantar”—one of the fiercest tank battles in history during the Indo-Pak War.
The Final Stand at the Battle of Basantar
The movie Ikkis (which means ’21’ in Hindi, representing both his age and the year of the award) focuses heavily on the morning of December 16, 1971.
The Indian Army was outnumbered. The Pakistani side had superior Patton tanks, while the Indian side was operating the older Centurions. Despite the odds, Khetarpal led his troop with a “fire-and-forget” attitude. He personally destroyed 10 enemy tanks in a matter of hours.
The most iconic moment of the film—and his life—comes when his tank, named ‘Famagusta,’ was hit and burst into flames. His superior officer ordered him to abandon the tank. Over the radio crackle, Khetarpal’s voice remained steady. He famously replied:
“No, Sir, I will not abandon my tank. My main gun is still working and I will get these bastards.”
He continued to fight until a final shell fatally wounded him. For this “conspicuous gallantry,” he was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, becoming its youngest-ever recipient.
Ikkis Movie Box Office Collection: Day 1 Trends
Despite releasing amidst the massive “Dhurandhar” wave that has dominated the box office for the past month, Ikkis has carved out its own space on the first day of 2026.
Early trade estimates show a decent start for the Sriram Raghavan directorial. As of 3 PM on Day 1 (Thursday), the film has earned approximately ₹2.63 Crore nett in India. The holiday has clearly helped, with morning occupancy hovering around 10-15%. Trade analysts expect the film to pick up pace in the evening shows, potentially closing its first day in the ₹4 – ₹5 Crore range.
Being the posthumous final release of the legendary Dharmendra, there is a strong emotional pull. Critics have hailed it as a “heartwarming” war film, which is helping it fight the “Dhurandhar storm” currently ruling the theatres.
Agastya Nanda Upcoming Movies: What’s Next After Ikkis?
For Agastya Nanda, Ikkis is being called his true “big screen” arrival after his OTT debut in The Archies. Industry insiders suggest that his performance as the disciplined yet vulnerable soldier has already landed him on the radar of several top filmmakers.
- Maddock Films’ Next: Reports suggest Agastya is in talks for another project with the makers of Ikkis, possibly shifting from war drama to a contemporary thriller.
- Border 2: There is heavy speculation that he might be considered for a pivotal role in Border 2 (starring Sunny Deol and Varun Dhawan), slated for a late January 2026 release, though no official confirmation has been made.
Moreover, having worked with Sriram Raghavan, Agastya is expected to be a top choice for scripts requiring high-intensity acting rather than just “masala” heroics.
Fact-Checking ‘Ikkis’: How Accurate is Sriram Raghavan’s Vision?
Sriram Raghavan is not a director known for “masala” biopics. He is a perfectionist, and Ikkis reflects that. Director Sriram Raghavan opted for a more challenging approach, eschewing the easy route of CGI and green screens, instead building three functional, five-ton Centurion tanks from scratch to lend the 1971 battlefield a raw, mechanical feel.
This commitment to realism forced Agastya Nanda to go beyond just “acting”; he spent months training with the Armoured Corps to master the disciplined body language and technical precision needed to command these massive steel machines.
But beyond the metal and smoke, the film’s real emotional anchor is its dual-timeline story. While we see the young Arun Khetarpal’s bravery in 1971, the film fast-forwards to 2001, featuring the legendary Dharmendra in a career-best final performance as Arun’s father.
READ MORE: Bollywood Calling? ‘Kantara Chapter 1’ Star Rukmini Vasanth Drops MAJOR Hint on Hindi Film Debut!
It’s based on a stunning true story: Brigadier M.L. Khetarpal actually travelled to Pakistan to meet the very officer who engaged his son in combat. It’s this meeting that transforms the film from a standard war movie into a deeply moving look at sacrifice and the shared humanity that exists even between enemies.
