Sriram Raghavan explains why Agastya Nanda replaced Varun Dhawan in Ikkis

Varun Dhawan was replaced in Ikkis

• Agastya Nanda replaces Varun Dhawan in Sriram Raghavan's war drama Ikkis
• Ikkis tells the story of Arun Khetarpal, youngest Param Vir Chakra recipient
• Film releasing 1 Jan 2026 marks Agastya's debut and Dharmendra's farewell.

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National Award-winning filmmaker Sriram Raghavan recently opened up about a big change in his upcoming war drama Ikkis, explaining why Varun Dhawan was replaced by Agastya Nanda.

“The age when Jeetendra could dance around trees in his 40s is over,” Raghavan said in an interview with The Hindu.

Today’s audiences, he noted, want authenticity, especially when a film portrays real people and real events. And for Ikkis, every detail mattered.

The film, set to release on 1 January 2026, chronicles Arun Khetarpal’s extraordinary life as the youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra. For Agastya Nanda, it’s a momentous debut, while for Dharmendra, it could be a touching final bow on the big screen.

Varun Dhawan was originally attached to the project after his previous collaboration with Raghavan on Badlapur. “Varun was keen, and we had started working on it,” the director recalled. “But by the time the preliminary scripting was done, COVID happened and plans changed.”

As the story developed, Raghavan realised that the age of the actor playing Arun was crucial. “In certain scenes, Arun is just 19. The story demanded a fresh face,” he explained. Agastya, then 21, brought the natural energy and youthful innocence the role required.

Raghavan also highlighted the level of dedication the project demanded. “We needed an actor who could give two to three years to the project. It’s the story of a boy becoming a man,” he said. “What Arun did heroically happened in the last two hours of his life. Until then, he didn’t even know he was a hero.”

Also Read: Bobby Deol honors dad Dharmendra by wearing his shirt at his last film Ikkis premiere

Speaking about Agastya’s portrayal, he added, “I think his eyes reflect that sense of innocence and the uncalculated urge to serve.”

The film also stars Simar Bhatia, Jaideep Ahlawat, Sikandar Kher, and Deepak Dobriyal.

With its focus on realism and emotional depth, Ikkis has already captured attention — both for Agastya Nanda’s debut and for Dharmendra’s likely farewell performance, promising a cinematic experience that honours courage, youth, and authenticity.