The cinematic landscape of 2026 begins with a powerful tribute to one of India's youngest war heroes. Sriram Raghavan's film 'Ikkis', releasing on New Year's Day, brings to life the extraordinary, yet tragically short, journey of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, PVC. The title, meaning 'Twenty One' in Hindi, poignantly marks the age at which he laid down his life for the nation during the 1971 India-Pakistan War, just a day before the ceasefire was declared.
From Training Ground to Battlefield: A Hero's Call
Arun Khetarpal's path to immortality was as swift as it was brave. Having just completed his training at the Indian Military Academy in 1971, he was commissioned into the famed 17 Poona Horse regiment. When war erupted in December 1971, Arun was midway through a Young Officers Course in Ahmednagar. The course was abruptly compressed due to the national emergency, but Arun's spirit was already on the front lines. He passionately volunteered for active service, eager to defend his country.
The climax of his bravery unfolded on December 16, 1971. In a fierce tank battle at the Shakargarh sector, his squadron found itself in a dire situation. As recalled by his brother, Mukesh Khetarpal, 9 Indian tanks were encircled by approximately 25 Pakistani tanks. Displaying exceptional skill and courage, Arun's tank was instrumental in neutralizing 8 to 9 enemy tanks. However, the tide turned when a mechanical failure in another officer's gun led to Arun's own tank catching fire.
The Final Stand: "No Sir, My Gun is Still Firing"
Faced with a burning tank and direct orders to abandon it, Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal made a decision that would etch his name in history. He reportedly responded, "No sir, my gun is still firing." To avoid direct disobedience of the command to evacuate, he switched off his intercom and continued to engage the enemy. He fought relentlessly until he was fatally hit by an enemy tank shell. His supreme sacrifice came just one day before Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared a ceasefire on December 17, 1971.
The cruel irony of timing added to his family's grief. Hearing the ceasefire announcement on Radio Ceylon, the Khetarpal family felt a wave of relief, believing the danger had passed for their son. His mother cleaned his room in anticipation of his return. Their hope was shattered two days later, on December 19, when a telegram arrived informing them of Arun's martyrdom. "That telegram shattered our lives forever," Mukesh Khetarpal recounted, describing how a permanent sadness seeped into their lives.
Legacy of Valour and Compassion
For his conspicuous bravery, leadership, and supreme sacrifice, Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military honour. He became the youngest recipient of the award at that time. In a poignant foreshadowing, on the day of his induction into the 17 Poona Horse, Arun had raised a toast to the memory of another PVC recipient from the regiment, Lieutenant Colonel A.B. Tarapore. He then raised a second toast, predicting he would win another PVC for the unit—a prediction that came tragically true.
Beyond the soldier, 'Ikkis' and his family memories paint a picture of a remarkably kind young man. His brother shared a touching anecdote from their childhood in Shillong. Arun once gave his own new Kashmiri sweater to a young boy, the son of a peon, who was shivering with fever in the cold. He never mentioned this act of kindness to anyone, even when scolded for losing the sweater. The story only came to light 22 years later when that boy, now a dhaba owner near IIT Delhi, recognized Mukesh and refused payment for tea, saying, "You are Arun Khetarpal's brother."
The film 'Ikkis' stars Agastya Nanda as the young martyr and features the legendary Dharmendra in his final on-screen appearance, playing Arun's father, Brigadier M.L. Khetarpal. The movie is not just a war film but is described as an 'anti-war' narrative, focusing on the human cost of conflict and the enduring spirit of a young man who chose duty above all else. His story, preserved for over five decades by his vocal family, now reaches a new generation through the silver screen, ensuring that the valour of a 21-year-old hero is never forgotten.
