Agastya Nanda, the newcomer who recently debuted in 'The Archies', is set to portray one of India's youngest and bravest war heroes in the upcoming biographical drama 'Ikkis'. The film focuses on the life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, who was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military honor, for his extraordinary valor during the 1971 Indo-Pak War.
A Story of Youthful Valor
At a recent event held in South Mumbai's Navy Nagar, a cantonment area, Agastya Nanda expressed his hopes for the film's impact. He emphasized the youth of the war hero, who was martyred at the age of 21 during the Battle of Basantar. Nanda directly addressed younger audiences, stating he hopes they learn from Khetarpal's life. "The main thing that stood out was how young Arun Khetarpal is," Nanda said. "If there's anything that we take away from this film is that, 'You're never too young to change the world'." He also conveyed his immense pride and gratitude towards the Indian Army.
A Director's Seven-Year Journey
Director Sriram Raghavan, renowned for thrillers like 'Andhadhun' and 'Johnny Gaddaar', shared that his journey with this project began seven years ago when he first heard Khetarpal's story. His commitment deepened in December 2019 during a visit to Chandigarh on the war hero's death anniversary. "I made a promise to myself, 'Do this film, man and do as good as we can'," Raghavan recounted. He described the filming process as challenging, with shoots across North India, and expressed a heartfelt hope that Arun Khetarpal's spirit guided the project.
Agastya Nanda also spoke about the physical demands of the role, particularly the action sequences filmed inside tanks. He described the experience as "difficult and claustrophobic," giving him a small glimpse into the immense pressure a soldier endures in combat.
An Emotion for the Makers
Producer Dinesh Vijan of Maddock Films declared 'Ikkis' to be a special project in their two-decade filmography. "'Ikkis' is like an emotion. In 20 years, it is the best film we've made," Vijan stated. He revealed that producer Binny Padda first narrated the story to him eight years ago, and it left a profound impact. Vijan visited the Poona Horses regiment to hear firsthand accounts, feeling a "huge responsibility" to tell the story correctly. "What 'Ikkis' showed me is what a 21-year-old Indian army soldier can do," he added, highlighting the film's core message.
The film's unveiling event was attended by Lt Gen DS Kushwah and other army officers. Lt Gen Kushwah unveiled the Famagusta tank used in the film and expressed confidence that Khetarpal's tale of bravery would now reach a global audience. "He fought like a lion... His story will be known to everyone through the film," he said, thanking the team for undertaking the project.
The ensemble cast of 'Ikkis' includes Jaideep Ahlawat, Dharmendra, Sikander Kher, Shree Bishnoi, and Simar Bhatia. The film is scheduled for a theatrical release on December 25.
