Filmmaker Sriram Raghavan’s Ikkis, which is produced by Dinesh Vijan’s Maddock Films, is a war drama based on India’s 1971 war with Pakistan. But the movie isn’t expected to be just another war film for it tells the brave story of a soldier’s martyrdom at an age of just 21.
2nd Lt Arun Khetarpal was fresh out of Indian Military Academy (IMA) when the war broke off between the two neighboring nations. The war ultimately led to the formation of an independent Bangladesh, which was earlier East Pakistan.
India had been supporting the Bangladesh liberation movement for months but the war ultimately commenced on December 3, 1971 when Pakistan launched Operation Chengiz Khan with a series of airstrikes on northwestern India.
The war reached a stage where Pakistani attacks were turning out to be a major threat to India. At this time, the young Arun Khetarpal entered the field with his tank Centurion. He spotted five enemy Patton tanks on the other side. He took his position in a split second and opened fire with his 20-pounder gun.
The damage caused by Arun Khetarpal was tremendous. He destroyed the lead Pakistani tank with a point-blank shot and also smashed two more in quick succession. But that isn’t all. He continued to attack and destroy the enemy tanks, leaving them clueless. This also gave time to the Indian troops for reinforcements.
However, there came a moment where Arun Khetarpal’s Centurion was hit by the enemy. His tank was set ablaze. Hence, his commander ordered evacuation. It was then that Arun came up with a response that remains etched in India’s history – “No Sir, I will not abandon my tank. My main gun is still working and I will get these b**tards.”
Soon enough, Arun Khetarpal fired a shot, which smashed another enemy tank. However, he got hit by the enemy at this very moment and achieved martyrdom.
Years later, Pakistan’s Brigadier Khwaja Mohammad Naser told Arun Khetarpal’s father Brigadier Madan Lal Khetarpal, “Your son was a very brave man, Sir. He was singularly responsible for our defeat.”
Arun Khetarpal was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military honour. He became one of the youngest soldiers to be awarded with the same.
It will be interesting to see how the film recreates the aforementioned events. With Sriram Raghavan at the helm, one can be assured of his signature style while narrating these sequences.
Ikkis, which is named after Arun Khetarpal’s age when he achieved martyrdom, is all set to release in theatres in December. The film will see Agastya Nanda play the character of Arun Khetarpal.
More Pages: Ikkis Box Office Collection
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