Ikkis Review: Jaideep Shines, Dharmendra Adds Depth

A special screening of Ikkis was held in Mumbai on Monday, December 29. The event saw many Bollywood stars in attendance, including Salman Khan and Sunny Deol. After the screening, well-known casting director Mukesh Chhabra shared his honest and emotional review of the film.

Mukesh Chhabra took to X (formerly Twitter) to praise Ikkis, calling it a film made from the heart. He said the storytelling is gentle, honest, and stays with the audience even after the film ends. He especially praised Dharmendra, saying his performance was full of grace and depth. Mukesh added that if this turns out to be Dharmendra’s last film, it would be truly heartbreaking, as the actor leaves behind something deeply emotional and meaningful.

He also praised Jaideep Ahlawat’s performance, saying he was pleasantly surprised by it. Mukesh welcomed newcomers Agastya Nanda and Simar Bhatia, calling them beautiful on screen with lovely chemistry. He said Agastya’s innocence and sincerity clearly shine through his performance. Mukesh also gave a special mention to Vivan Shah and Sikandar Kher for their outstanding work.

Above all, he praised director Sriram Raghavan, calling him a master filmmaker. He described Ikkis as a heartfelt film told with honesty, adding that it feels like very personal cinema.

Ikkis is a biographical war drama based on the life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, who was awarded the Param Vir Chakra. Agastya Nanda plays the role of Arun Khetarpal. The film shows his bravery and sacrifice during the Battle of Basantar in the 1971 India–Pakistan War.

The film is directed by Sriram Raghavan and stars Dharmendra as Brigadier ML Khetarpal, Arun’s father. Jaideep Ahlawat plays a Pakistani Army officer, while Rahul Dev appears as Lieutenant Colonel Hanut Singh. Earlier planned for a December 25 release, Ikkis will now hit theatres on January 1, 2026.