The cinematic debut of star-kid Agastya Nanda in Sriram Raghavan's war drama 'Ikkis' has been overshadowed by a brewing controversy. The film, which hit theaters on January 1, 2026, has opened to mixed audience responses and significant backlash for its perceived peaceful tone towards Pakistan. This is in stark contrast to the recent, more hardline release, Aditya Dhar's 'Dhurandhar'.
The Disclaimer That Sparked a Debate
In a notable post-release move, the makers of 'Ikkis' have inserted a mid-credits disclaimer. This text directly addresses the character of Brigadier KM Nisaar, portrayed by Jaideep Ahlawat. In a poignant scene, the Pakistani brigadier is shown welcoming the father of the martyred Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal and speaking respectfully of the fallen Indian soldier.
The disclaimer, displayed in Hindi and English, seeks to contextualize this portrayal. It states that the humane behavior shown by Brigadier Nisaar is 'an exceptional incident'. It goes on to assert that the neighboring country is 'not trustworthy at all,' accusing Pakistan's armies of cruel and inhuman behavior during war and peace, violating the Geneva Convention, and sponsoring terrorism. It concludes with a call for citizens to remain alert, ending with 'Jai Hind'.
Internet Reacts: The 'Dhurandhar Effect'
The image of this disclaimer quickly made its way to Reddit, igniting a firestorm of reactions. Many netizens labeled the addition as a clear case of the 'Dhurandhar effect', suggesting the producers panicked after seeing the criticism for being too diplomatic compared to the rival film.
One user commented, 'I am sure this was added at the last moment. Dhurandhar effect.' Another pointed out the narrative inconsistency, writing, 'Never sail in two boats....choose a side, stick to it, it feels more authentic that way.' A third user humorously noted, 'The film makers might have feared people not watching the film due to its portrayal of bHaIcHaRa w Pakistan and added this disclaimer as a precaution.'
The criticism centered on the film's core anti-war narrative, which was seemingly undermined by the jingoistic disclaimer. A Reddit post questioned, '...why the makers put this at the end after galloring an anti-war narrative the whole movie?'
More About the Film 'Ikkis'
Beyond the controversy, 'Ikkis' marks several significant milestones. It is not only the big-screen debut of Agastya Nanda but also features the legendary Dharmendra's final screen appearance. The film is a biopic based on the life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, PVC, who was martyred during the 1971 Indo-Pak war and posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra.
Directed by Sriram Raghavan, the cast also includes Simar Bhatia and Vivaan Shah. The film's attempt to present a nuanced, human story from a war has now become entangled in a larger cultural and political debate about cinematic representation and national sentiment.
