The place Dhurandhar leaned into aggressive bloodlust via its acerbic storytelling, Ikkis strikes in the other way, asking us to see folks past uniforms, slogans, or sides, observes Mayur Sanap.

When a soldier dies in a warfare, they usually get decreased to a quantity on a casualty listing. We might not bear in mind their face or their identify, solely that they have been a part of the struggle.

Movies have all the time been fascinated about presenting the heroic lore on display and that has paved a style of its personal.

In that sense, a biopic a couple of warfare hero may sound like acquainted territory, and even predictable (Working example, the latest 120 Bahadur).

 

Director Sriram Raghavan strikes away from his traditional thrillers and presents a story of heroism in Ikkis that honours Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, the youngest recepient of the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest award for gallantry in warfare.

Raghavan, alongside together with his long-time collaborators writers Arijit Biswas and Pooja Ladha Surti (Badlapur, Andhadhun, Merry Christmas), presents a stirring biopic however it’s’t nearly grand heroics.

It is a respectful biopic to Khetarpal, whose braveness and tragedy at a young age is mirrored within the movie’s highly effective title.

Ikkis rises above expectations as we see the templated materials of a warfare hero biopic inform an vital movie of our occasions.

The movie retains the give attention to the human value of warfare and what’s misplaced each time violence is normalised.

This delicate take stands reverse to the tone Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar set earlier.

The place Dhurandhar leaned into aggressive bloodlust via its acerbic storytelling, Ikkis strikes in the other way, asking us to see folks past uniforms, slogans, or sides.

The movie handles the nationalism with restraint, and with out unjustly vilifying the other aspect in its firmly pro-humanity stand. It refuses to depict Pakistan and its folks as this irrecoverable monster, very like Meghna Gulzar’s Raazi.

The purpose Ikkis makes is sincere and direct: Battle takes greater than it offers.

The emotional impression of the movie deepens when you realise this is not a author’s invention. It is a true story, formed by actual individuals who truly lived via this historical past.

The movie locations Dharmendra on the centre of its core message, and for a movie about misplaced hero, the ultimate efficiency of the Bollywood legend enhances the emotional weight of the movie.

He performs Arun’s father Brigadier M L Khetarpal.

The yr is 2001.

Brigadier Khetarpal travels to Pakistan for a three-day go to to relive outdated reminiscences of his misplaced residence and folks, which he had been separated from after migrating to India throughout Partition.

He’s hosted by Brigadier Khwaja Mohammed Naseer (Jaideep Ahlawat), an officer within the Pakistan military.

In one of many movie’s most putting moments, Naseer speaks with real sorrow and respect for Arun Khetarpal’s bravery.

He admits that he was the one who killed him within the 1971 India-Pakistan warfare.

What may have been a second of bitterness turns right into a uncommon human connection that rises above the concept of enemies.

The phrase ‘enemy’ can be used with quiet impression within the movie.

Naseer tells Brigadier Khetarpal, ‘Arun dushman ko harana chahta tha.’

Brigadier Khetarpal asks, ‘Kaun dushman?‘

This one line reframes the whole lot.

He’s away from his homeland on the other aspect of the border, the place he finds heat, generosity, and shared reminiscences within the neighbouring nation. The movie pushes to faucet into our delicate aspect because it gently asks us: Are we actually that completely different from one another in any respect?

What’s additionally fascinating is that Raghavan does not miss his traditional little film-nerd touches, alongside together with his acquainted love for the Pune metropolis, the place Arun Khetarpal spent his time as a cadet on the Nationwide Defence Academy.

These particulars come within the tender moments between Arun and Kiran, performed fantastically by a luminous Simar Bhatia, who units herself as a expertise to be careful for.

From wandering via outdated cafes to catching Rajesh Khanna’s Aradhana at a single-screen theatre, surrounded by hand-painted movie posters, the movie helps you to soak within the nostalgic vibe of the bygone period.

The one hiccup comes with the generic songs and their odd placement within the narrative that often breaks the momentum.

The movie gathers in depth and drive within the brutal warfare moments because the Indian Military lurches into Pakistan with their tanks.

Raghavan exhibits his calibre for steering warfare with out going overboard in its depiction of violence.

It additionally helps that the movie is technically sound.

Agastya Nanda’s naturally harmless eyes seize Arun’s eagerness and pleasure about becoming a member of the military.

Those self same eyes are equally highly effective as they emanate fury because the movie traces his journey from a younger cadet to a hardened soldier.

These motion scenes are definitely thrilling, however it’s the quieter moments the place Ikkis makes the purpose that war-is-hell it doesn’t matter what aspect you might be on.

The movie will also be seen as a companion piece to Maddock’s earlier navy drama Sky Power.

In Sky Power, Akshay Kumar’s character travels to Pakistan to uncover the reality a couple of fellow officer, a fictionalised tackle Maha Vir Chakra hero Ajjamada Boppayya Devayya.

Seen aspect by aspect, the 2 movies share the identical premise, informed from completely different views.

Battle is hell will not be a brand new message, however it’s one value repeating and Raghavan states it powerfully right here.

This might simply have stood out as one of many yr’s higher movies had it launched on its initially deliberate Christmas date. Nonetheless, Ikkis begins the 2026 film calendar on a constructive notice.

Ikkis Overview Rediff Ranking: