The Mumbai film fraternity came together for a poignant and star-studded evening to honour the legendary Dharmendra ahead of the release of his final cinematic offering. A special screening of the upcoming war biopic 'Ikkis' was held in the city on Monday, drawing a galaxy of Bollywood celebrities, led by the emotional Deol family.
Deol Family Leads Emotional Tribute
Sunny Deol, visibly moved, arrived at the venue but warmly posed for photographers beside a poster featuring his father. Bobby Deol was accompanied by his wife Tanya, son Aryaman, and cousin Abhay Deol, showcasing a united family front to support the patriarch's last project.
The event saw a massive turnout of industry stalwarts. Salman Khan, who shared a close bond with Dharmendra, attended with heightened security, and videos of his arrival quickly went viral. He was also seen paying his respects in front of the film's poster. The ever-graceful Rekha looked stunning in a saree, while veteran actor Jeetendra was also among the notable attendees.
Star-Studded Guest List and Reunions
The screening became a hub for informal reunions and networking. Tabu had a warm meet-up with her 'Chachi 420' co-star Fatima Sana Shaikh. The guest list further glittered with names like Lulia Vantur, fashion designer Manish Malhotra, the duo of Genelia and Riteish Deshmukh, and actor Randeep Hooda.
From the film's team, the young lead actors made a significant appearance. Agastya Nanda, the grandson of Amitabh Bachchan, and Simar Bhatia, the niece of Akshay Kumar, were present. Actor Jaideep Ahlawat, who plays a key role in the film, also attended the special preview.
A Bittersweet Final Bow for Dharmendra
Directed by Sriram Raghavan, 'Ikkis' marks the final on-screen appearance of the beloved actor, who passed away on 24 November at the age of 89. Raghavan recently revealed that Dharmendra was unwell during the final dubbing sessions in October. "I met him in October. That time he was okay, but he was not too well," the director shared, expressing regret that the veteran actor could not see the complete film.
The film narrates the story of young soldier Arun Khetrapal, played by Agastya Nanda, with Dharmendra portraying his grandfather. 'Ikkis' is scheduled for a theatrical release on 1st January, offering audiences one last chance to witness the magic of the iconic star.
