Ikkis, a Hindi war-based biopic movie, brings to life the story of Arun Khetarpal, the youngest Param Veer Chakra winner, during the 1971 Indo-Pak war, showcasing memories of bravery and courage. Ikkis tells the story of Arun Khetarpal, a 21 year old young officer of the Indian Army, who joined the army with a sense of to full purpose and was able to face the brutal face of war in real life, unlike those who just have this war theorectically.
| Language | Hindi |
| Genre | War, Drama, Patriotic |
| Director | Sriram Raghavan |
| Producers | Dinesh Vijan (Maddock Films) |
| Co-producers | Sharada Karki Jalota, Poonam Shivdasani, Binny Padda |
| Story / Writers | Sriram Raghavan, Arijit Biswas, Pooja Ladha Surti |
| Main Cast | Agastya Nanda, Dharmendra, Jaideep Ahlawat, Simar Bhatia |
| Based on | Life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, Param Vir Chakra awardee |
| Release Date | 25 December 2025 (theatrical) |
| Country | India |
| Cinematography | Anil Mehta |
| Production Banner | Maddock Films |
Overview
Ikkis
Genre
War, Drama, Patriotic
Language
Hindi
Release Date
25 December 2025
Cast & Crew
Agastya Nanda will take on the role of Arun Khetarpal, Second Lieutenant in the Indian Army and real-life hero, in what will be an instrumental performance of Bhagat’s story. The father-son bond in the story is one of the key relationships, and it will be played by veteran Indian cinema actor Dharmendra, who in real life is Arun’s father.
Deepak Dobriyal and Jaideep Ahlawat also perform as the main members of the cast. The film will be produced by the extremely reputable Dinesh Vijan and Maddock Films. The movie was filmed by famous cinematographer Anil Mehta, who is very well known for his brilliant visuals. The story is scripted by Arijit Biswas, Sriram Raghavan, and Pooja Ladha Surti.
Where to Watch
The movie Ikkis will be available in theaters in India and all over the world on 25 December 2025, to mark the Christmas holidays. This movie is in Hindi, and it is a biographical war drama, which is attractive to those who like general and commercial cinema, and to those who like history and war dramas with a patriotic touch.
Ikkis is a projected theatrical release, which means that it will be screened across the country in cinemas and some overseas locations where Hindi movies do well. If you want the full immersion when it comes to the big tanks, war scenes, and big emotions, you should watch it in theatres.
After the time in cinemas is done, like every Hindi movie, it can be available to stream online in OTT platforms, but no announcements regarding this yet. The specific platforms and the date will probably be made available to the public when the movie will complete its theatrical run.
Reasons to Watch
- One of the reasons to watch “Ikkis” is to bring alive the actual tale of real heroics instead of imaginary ones and keep the audience in Arun Khetarpal’s memories.
- To remind the audience of the soldier’s humane side during the Kargil as well as to inculcate the audience’s sense of respect towards the army.
- Sriram Raghavan is known for his multilayered stories.
- The father figure of Dharmendra along with strong performers such as Jaideep Ahlawat and Deepak Dobriyal.
Videos
Trailer 1
FAQs
Is “Ikkis” a true story?
Yes. “Ikkis” is a Hindi movie based on the real-life story of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, the youngest Param Vir Chakra awardee, and his acclimated courage during the bitter 1971 Indo‑Pak war.
Who plays Arun Khetarpal in “Ikkis”?
Agastya Nanda is a keen actor and is going to portray the role of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal. He plays a 21 year old officer who demonstrates extreme courage in the onslaught of battle.
What is the release date of “Ikkis”?
Ikkis is set to release in theaters on 25 December 2025.
Who is the story and screenplay writer of Ikkis?
The story and screenplay writing has been equally attributed to Sriram Raghavan, Arijit Biswas and Pooja Ladha Surti.
Will Ikkis stream on OTT platforms?
The movie has released theatrically, the OTT platform and streaming date of the movie will likely be released after the theatrical release, which is the case for most Hindi movies.
Can the film Ikkis be classified as a family film?
Parents with younger children should definitely take the film’s battle scenes. However, the film is intended to be a truly inspirational patriotic story despite the themes of war and sacrifice. Therefore, the film is designed as an inspirational patriotic story.
What does the title ‘Ikkis’ mean?
The film title, “Ikkis” which is in Hindi and translates to the number 21, refers to Arun Khetarpal who died during the 1971 war at a young age of 21. The title is to highlight the extraordinary bravery he showed at such a young age.
