"Ikkis": A 21-Year-Old's Legacy on Screen

The film "Ikkis" is set to bring the inspiring story of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal to the screen, with Agastya Nanda stepping into the role of the Param Vir Chakra recipient. Khetarpal was martyred at the young age of 21 during the Battle of Basantar. Director Sriram Raghavan, known for his thrillers, has dedicated seven years to this project, aiming to do justice to Khetarpal's life and bravery. Nanda expressed his hope that the film will deeply connect with younger viewers, emphasizing Khetarpal's courage and the message that age is no barrier to changing the world.

Filming the intense action sequences, particularly within the confined space of a tank, presented significant challenges for Nanda, offering a glimpse into the immense pressure faced by soldiers. Filmmaker Dinesh Vijan described "Ikkis" as more than just a film, calling it an emotion and one of Maddock's proudest achievements. He highlighted how the project has profoundly affected the filmmaking team, deepening their understanding and making it their best work in 20 years.

The story of Arun Khetarpal's bravery, first narrated to Vijan eight years ago by producer Binny Padda, has been meticulously brought to life. Lt Gen DS Kushwah, present at an event unveiling a Famagusta tank from the film, lauded Khetarpal as a warrior and expressed confidence that the movie will inspire the world with the extraordinary feats of a 21-year-old Indian army soldier. The film, featuring a notable cast, is scheduled for release on December 25.