Late actor Dharmendra’s final film ‘Ikkis’ to be a tribute to real-life hero Arun Khetarpal

The late actor Dharmendra, who will be posthumously seen in the upcoming film ‘Ikkis’, expressed his wish for people from both India and Pakistan to watch the movie. His son, Sunny Deol, shared a behind-the-scenes video from the film on Instagram. In the video, Dharmendra expressed his happiness about being part of Mandav films and praised the team for their work. He also mentioned that he hoped both Indian and Pakistani audiences would see the film. Sunny Deol, in the caption, described his father’s smile as a light in the darkness and urged everyone to celebrate him by watching ‘Ikkis’ in theaters this New Year.
Directed by Sriram Raghavan, ‘Ikkis’ is based on the life of Arun Khetarpal, one of India’s youngest Param Vir Chakra awardees who died during the 1971 Indo-Pak war at the age of 21. The title ‘Ikkis’ signifies Khetarpal’s age at the time of his demise. The film stars Agastya Nanda in the lead role, a departure from traditional debut choices, focusing on realism over grandeur. Dharmendra plays a significant role in the movie, adding depth to the storyline.
‘Ikkis’ emphasizes military discipline, strategic decision-making on the battlefield, and personal bravery rather than melodrama. By staying faithful to historical records, the film aims to depict the human toll of war while honoring a real-life hero whose courage remains nationally revered.