Sriram Raghavan’s upcoming war biopic Ikkis, featuring Agastya Nanda as Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, is gearing up for its theatrical release in December 2025.
The film marks Agastya’s first big-screen appearance after his debut in Zoya Akhtar’s The Archies (2023), and it promises a complete shift in tone, from a playful coming-of-age story to an intense war drama.
Ikkis chronicles the life and bravery of Arun Khetarpal, the youngest officer to be awarded India’s highest wartime gallantry honor, the Param Vir Chakra. He was just 21 when he displayed extraordinary courage during the 1971 Indo-Pak war, defending his position till his last breath. The film’s title itself—Ikkis (meaning twenty-one), is both a nod to his age and his everlasting legacy.
On the occasion of Khetarpal’s birth anniversary, the makers announced that the film has wrapped production and will release in December.
Sharing the new poster, Maddock Films wrote, “On the birth anniversary of Arun Khetarpal, Ikkis, a story that will forever stay in our hearts, is wrapped. Dinesh Vijan and Maddock Films present Ikkis, directed by Sriram Raghavan — a true untold story of the youngest officer recipient of the Param Vir Chakra.”
The posters reveal Agastya Nanda in an army uniform, exuding grit and determination. The tagline, “Woh Ikkis ka tha, Ikkis ka hi rahega”, cements the emotional weight of the story. The film also stars Dharmendra, Jaideep Ahlawat, Ekavali Khanna, and Simar Bhatia in key roles.
Known for his mastery in thrillers like Andhadhun and Badlapur, Sriram Raghavan’s turn toward a patriotic biopic signals a rare, emotional departure from his usual genre. If the tone of the posters and the story’s real-life foundation are any indication, Ikkis could be one of the most powerful Hindi films of 2025—a tribute not just to one soldier, but to the spirit of youth and sacrifice itself.
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