BH OTT India Fest 2025: Agastya Nanda says “Dharmendra worked with FOUR generations of my family”; Sriram Raghavan reveals, “Dharam ji called every week to ask, ‘Are you still making Ikkis with me?'”

Agastya Nanda, Jaideep Ahlawat, Simar Bhatia, director Sriram Raghavan and producer Dinesh Vijan promoted their much-awaited film Ikkis on the first day of the Bollywood Hungama OTT India Fest and India Entertainment Awards 2025. This is the last film of everyone’s favourite actor, Dharmendra, who passed away on November 24. As expected, the team of the film shared their memories of working with Dharmendra.

Sriram Raghavan had worked with Dharmendra earlier in Johnny Gaddaar (2007). He said, “I decided to do this film in 2018. There was a requirement for an actor to play Arun Khetrapal's father. Even before I cast Agastya for Arun's character, I met Dharam ji and narrated the story to him. He loved the story. He connected with it.”

Sriram continued, “Meanwhile, I made another film (Merry Christmas; 2024). There was also a delay due to COVID. In this period, he used to call me every week asking, 'Are you making that film?' and 'Are you still making it with me?'. I assured him, 'Of course, I am making the film with you'. I am blessed that I spent so much time with him. I regret that he couldn’t see the whole film. He saw about 70% of the film.”

Agastya Nanda remarked, “It’s very emotional as Dharam ji worked with four generations of my family. He worked with my great grandfather, my grandfather and I had the privilege of sharing screen space with him. As sir said, it's extremely sad that he won’t be able to see the love he deserves for the film.”

Ikkis releases in cinemas on December 25.

The Bollywood Hungama OTT India Fest and India Entertainment Awards are presented by SleepZ by Raymond, co-powered by Fima, Carlo Frattini, and Amante in association with Helios, Style Partner: Rare Rabbit, Lovestory Patner: Truly Madly, Stylish Furniture Partner: Urban Ladder, with healthcare partner: HCG, skincare partner: Fixferma, Spirituality partner: Satvik, conversation partner: Bevzilla, gourmet dessert partner: Smoor, nutrition partner: The Naturik Co., radio partner: Radio City and celebration partner: Heineken Silver.

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