As 2025 drew to a close, Simar Bhatia, the daughter of Alka Bhatia and niece of Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar, shared an emotional social media post reflecting on her journey towards her highly anticipated acting debut. The debut will come in the form of the upcoming film Ikkis, directed by Sriram Raghavan.
An Emotional Farewell to 2025
On December 31, 2025, Simar Bhatia took to Instagram to express her profound gratitude, marking the end of a pivotal year. She posted behind-the-scenes glimpses from the sets of Ikkis alongside a lengthy, heartfelt note. She began by stating her desire to step into the new year with thankfulness for those who supported her first steps in the film industry.
Her message was a tapestry of appreciation, starting with her mother. Simar thanked her mother, Alka Bhatia, for teaching her "how to surrender" to the moment and to faith. She expressed deep love, calling her mother her everything. She then extended her gratitude to her entire family for their unwavering strength and overwhelming support.
Gratitude for Mentors and Co-Stars
Simar adopted a humble posture towards her craft, addressing her teachers. She declared that she would "forever be a student," embracing curiosity and a lack of fear towards making mistakes. She described Ikkis as an incredibly special blessing and a beginning she couldn't have even imagined.
The note reserved special praise for her director and co-actor. She expressed honour at being introduced to cinema by director Sriram Raghavan, thanking him for his gentleness, patience, and passion for storytelling. To her co-star Agastya Nanda, who plays the lead role of 2/Lt Arun Khetrapal, she wrote warmly, stating she had grown fond of him and praised his incredible performance. She thanked him for making the journey feel shared.
She also acknowledged cinematographer Anil Mehta for finding her best angles and the entire crew of Ikkis—from technicians to costume designers—for their care and hard work in shaping the film's world.
A Dream Realized with Family Support
Simar highlighted the role of producer Dinesh Vijan, stating the experience would not have been possible without his trust. She emphasized that Ikkis is not just a film but the realization of her long-dreamed ambition, and she vowed to always honour his courage in giving her this start.
Looking ahead, she wished for 2026 to be a "year of expression" and confirmed the film's release date: IKKIS releases in cinemas on 1st January 2026. She signed off with a personal mantra from her grandmother (Nani): "Mann Neevan. Matt Ucchi."
The post garnered loving reactions from family, including aunt Twinkle Khanna, who commented, "My simu is the best," and cousin Naomika Saran, who expressed immense pride.
Ikkis, directed by Sriram Raghavan and produced by Maddock Films, is a war drama set against the backdrop of the 1971 India-Pakistan war. It stars Agastya Nanda as Param Vir Chakra recipient Lieutenant Arun Khetrapal, alongside veterans like Dharmendra and Jaideep Ahlawat in key roles.
