Initial reviews of Ikkis, the biographical war drama directed by Sriram Raghavan, are generating considerable buzz, particularly for Agastya Nanda's portrayal of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal and the final on-screen appearance of the late Dharmendra. The film, which revolves around the Battle of Basantar during the 1971 India-Pakistan War, is scheduled to release on January 1, 2026.

Agastya Nanda, marking his theatrical debut after his role in the Netflix film The Archies, has garnered praise for his performance as the courageous army officer. Amitabh Bachchan, Agastya's grandfather, lauded his "maturity" and "unfiltered honesty," stating that Agastya's portrayal was "perfection in every shot" and held an unfiltered honesty. Bachchan noted that Agastya captured the essence of Arun Khetarpal, a 21-year-old soldier defending the nation, without any unnecessary frills. According to NewsX, Agastya delivers a "star-making performance," shedding his "star kid" image and embodying the inner strength of Khetarpal.

Ikkis also holds significance as the last film of the legendary Dharmendra, who passed away on November 24, 2025. Dharmendra plays Brigadier M. L. Khetarpal, the father of Arun Khetarpal. The film explores the profound connection between father and son, adding emotional depth to the narrative of the young war hero.

Critics highlight that Ikkis deviates from the typical noisy war film, offering a deeply emotional and expressive portrayal of a young soldier's resolve. Koimoi noted that in a time of polarizing patriotic films, Ikkis reminds viewers of genuine, sacrifice-driven nationalism. Sriram Raghavan presents a heavy drama that reveals the mixed feelings and strong resolve of a 21-year-old soldier. The cinematography, with its subdued color palette, resonates perfectly with the 1970s, avoiding the heavily saturated filters of modern action films.

The film also stars Jaideep Ahlawat and Simar Bhatia, Akshay Kumar's niece, in pivotal roles. Ikkis is produced by Dinesh Vijan's Maddock Films and is co-written by Sriram Raghavan, Arijit Biswas, and Pooja Ladha Surti.

Ikkis is not just a war biopic but also an intimate exploration of duty and the cost of immortality. The film promises to bring one of India's most heroic true stories to the big screen with heart and intensity. With early reviews emphasizing its emotional depth and powerful performances, Ikkis is poised to be a memorable cinematic experience.