The war drama Ikkis featured Agastya Nanda portraying Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, a Paramvir Chakra awardee. Despite this compelling role, the movie struggled to attract audiences in theaters. Notably, it marked the final screen appearance of veteran actor Dharmendra, who passed away just one month before the film's release. Interestingly, some members of the film team initially expressed doubts about casting him.
Ikkis Writers Share Dharmendra's Creative Contributions
In a recent interview with SCREEN, writers Pooja Ladha Surti and Arijit Biswas opened up about Dharmendra's improvisations on set. They highlighted specific scenes where the legendary actor added personal touches that enriched the narrative.
Personal Touch with a Neem Tree
One poignant scene shows Dharmendra's character reminiscing about his father while gazing at a tree in his Pakistan home. The writers explained that this idea originated entirely from Dharmendra himself. When they narrated the script to him, he shared a personal memory from his visits to Punjab.
His father, a school headmaster, had a neem tree there. Dharmendra mentioned he could hear his father's voice in that tree. During location scouting, the team found a similar tree and informed him. He was thrilled. The emotional lines about the tree reminding him of his father came directly from Dharmendra's own words.
Breaking Hatred with a Hug
Another powerful sequence in the war drama involves Dharmendra's character, Madan Lal, being abused by a Pakistani officer. Instead of retaliating, he hugs the officer. Biswas revealed this was again Dharmendra's idea. Director Sriram Raghavan called Biswas to discuss it.
Dharmendra wanted to hug the Pakistani soldier, even if the character approached him aggressively. Biswas thought the concept was superb. The team developed the scene further, but the core message—the hug breaking the cycle of hatred—was entirely Dharmendra's contribution.
Internal Debate Over Casting Dharmendra
Pooja Ladha Surti further elaborated on the casting process. She mentioned that internally, there was some debate about choosing Dharmendra for the role. Some team members felt he was no longer relevant in the current film industry. However, director Sriram Raghavan was adamant it had to be him.
Along with the writers, Raghavan remained convinced Dharmendra was the perfect choice. Surti expressed her admiration for the late icon, noting the beauty of Urdu in his voice was unmatched. She described it as sad that he is no longer with us, emphasizing his incredible passion for his work.
Dharmendra used to write all his dialogues in Urdu, including those for other actors. He even stayed on set for filler shots, a dedication Surti said she will never forget. This commitment showcased his enduring love for cinema despite any initial skepticism.
More About Ikkis
Directed by Sriram Raghavan, Ikkis also starred actors like Jaideep Ahlawat, Simar Bhatia, and Vivaan Shah. The film hit theaters on January 1, 2026. It serves as a tribute to both the war hero Arun Khetarpal and the legendary Dharmendra, whose final performance left a lasting impact through his improvisations and dedication.
