With 3 days to go, Ikkis builds buzz through war hero story and emotional performances

With just three days to go until its theatrical release, Ikkis is poised to open the doors to 2026 as one of the most talked-about Hindi films of the year. The patriotic war drama, directed by Sriram Raghavan and produced by Dinesh Vijan’s Maddock Films, brings to life the extraordinary true story of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, the youngest recipient of India’s highest military decoration — the Param Vir Chakra. The film will now release on January 1, 2026, giving it pride of place as the first major Bollywood outing of the new year.

 

With 3 days to go, Ikkis builds buzz through war hero story and emotional performances

 

Ikkis chronicles the valor and sacrifice of Arun Khetarpal, who was martyred during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War at the young age of 21. The narrative arc charts the emotional and physical journey of a young soldier who chose duty and courage above all else — a theme that resonates deeply with audiences as India honours its military heroes.

 

Headlining the film is Agastya Nanda, marking his much-anticipated theatrical debut in a role that demanded not just emotional depth but also an extraordinary level of physical preparedness. Director Raghavan revealed that Agastya underwent a rigorous training regimen spanning 2–3 years, including Army drills, training with the Poona Horse regiment, and time at the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Khadakvasala, Pune. “He would be completely prepared for the upcoming scenes and for the requirements of the scene,” Raghavan said in a conversation with Bollywood Hungama.

 

Alongside Agastya, the film features notable performances from Jaideep Ahlawat and newcomer Simar Bhatia, with the late Dharmendra in one of his final roles — a factor that adds emotional weight and nostalgic reverence to the project.

 

 

Originally slated for a December 25, 2025 release, Ikkis has been rescheduled to January 1, 2026, in a decision that producer Dinesh Vijan described as strategic and deliberate. According to reports, this shift was made to give the film a clearer theatrical window and avoid a crowded Christmas week at the box office, ensuring that Ikkis gets the space it deserves as a standalone cinematic event.

 

The new year release also positions the film as a flagship Bollywood offering to kick-start 2026, giving audiences a patriotic spectacle and a resonant story of heroism at the dawn of a fresh calendar year.

 

Also Read: General Upendra Dwivedi PVSM AVSM, Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army lauds Ikkis for its realism: “It felt like I was living inside the film”

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