The Hindi film industry is poised for a poignant cinematic event as 'Ikkis', the final screen appearance of the legendary actor Dharmendra, is scheduled to arrive in theaters on January 1 of the upcoming year. Directed by Sriram Raghavan, this war drama also marks the highly anticipated big-screen debut of Agastya Nanda, grandson of Amitabh Bachchan.
A Regretful Revelation from the Director
In a recent interview, filmmaker Sriram Raghavan shared a bittersweet and heartbreaking detail about the cinema icon's connection to the project. He revealed that the late actor, who passed away in November 2025, never had the opportunity to watch the completed version of his last film.
"I met him in October. That time he was okay, but he was not too well," Raghavan stated. The director elaborated with a note of sadness, "He did watch the first half and waited for the second half. I wanted him to see the film in its entirety. Somehow, that couldn't happen."
Raghavan expressed a profound sense of loss, saying the team's regret is that the veteran star "is not here to enjoy the work he had done, and people appreciate that."
Dharmendra's Old-School Dedication
Sharing insights into Dharmendra's meticulous preparation, Raghavan painted a picture of a consummate professional from a bygone era. "He's old school. He would write his dialogues in Urdu. And he would also write the core actor's dialogues. He was extremely well-prepared," the director recounted, highlighting the actor's deep commitment to his craft until the very end.
All About the Film 'Ikkis'
'Ikkis' is a significant film on multiple fronts. It stands as Dharmendra's first and only posthumous release. The movie is a biographical war drama based on the heroic life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, who was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military honor, and remains its youngest recipient.
The film boasts a strong supporting cast including Jaideep Ahlawat, Suhasini Mulay, Sikander Kher, and Rahul Dev. Originally slated for a December 25, 2025 release, the premiere was postponed due to the overwhelming box office performance of another major film, 'Dhurandhar'.
The legendary actor Dharmendra breathed his last on November 24, 2025, at his residence in Mumbai's Juhu area. He is survived by his wife, actress and politician Hema Malini, and their two daughters, Esha and Ahana. He also had four children from his first marriage to Prakash Kaur, including actors Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol.
