Agastya Nanda to portray Arun Khetarpal in Maddock Films’ new biopic ‘Ikkis’

Highlights:

• Directed by Sriram Raghavan, Ikkis tells the story of India’s youngest Param Vir Chakra awardee, Arun Khetarpal.
  
• The film marks Agastya Nanda’s first feature role after The Archies.
  
• Dharmendra, Jaideep Ahlawat, and Simar Bhatia round out the cast.
  
• Maddock Films continues its focus on real-life military stories after Sky Force.
  

A tribute to India’s youngest war hero

Actor Agastya Nanda is set to headline Ikkis, a Maddock Films production based on the life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, the youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military honor.

The film, directed by Sriram Raghavan, depicts Khetarpal’s bravery during the 1971 India–Pakistan War, where he was killed in action at the age of 21. The trailer, released on Wednesday, offers glimpses of his journey from his days at the National Defence Academy to the battlefield that earned him a place in history.

The title Ikkis (meaning “twenty-one” in Hindi) is a nod to both Khetarpal’s age and the eternal youth of his legacy.

Star cast and first look

In the trailer, Nanda’s Khetarpal confidently tells his fellow cadets, “This regiment’s next Param Vir Chakra will be mine.” The video also teases moments of camaraderie, romance, and wartime tension.

Veteran actor Dharmendra plays Brigadier K.L. Khetarpal, Arun’s father, whose own military service inspired his son to join the Army. “Now he has become a story,” Dharmendra’s character says in one of the emotional scenes.

The film also stars Jaideep Ahlawat and Simar Bhatia in key roles.

Maddock’s growing slate of military dramas

Ikkis marks Maddock Films’ second venture into stories drawn from India’s defense history. Earlier this year, the studio released Sky Force, set against the 1965 India–Pakistan airstrike at Pakistan’s Sargodha base. The film starred Akshay Kumar and debutant Veer Pahariya, though it underperformed at the box office, grossing $17.3 million worldwide.

The production house, however, continues to thrive with its horror-comedy universe its latest release, Thamma, has already crossed $12 million after just a week in theaters.

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A new chapter for Agastya Nanda

Following a lukewarm OTT debut in Zoya Akhtar’s 2024 film The Archies, Ikkis marks Nanda’s first major big-screen outing. The young actor, grandson of Amitabh Bachchan, takes on a demanding role that blends patriotism, youth, and sacrifice, potentially reshaping his image in Bollywood.