Sunny Deol breaks down after watching father Dharmendra’s final film Ikkis, calls it a ‘treasure filled with his spirit’

sunny and dharmendra

• Sunny Deol emotional at screening of Dharmendra's final film Ikkis in Mumbai
• Ikkis, a biographical war drama, releases in theaters on January 1, 2026
• Dharmendra's last role adds emotional weight to the film about Arun Khetarpal

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At a special screening of Ikkis — the upcoming biographical war drama and veteran actor Dharmendra’s final film — Bollywood star Sunny Deol was overcome with emotion as he paid tribute to his late father’s legacy. The screening in Mumbai on December 29, 2025 saw Sunny getting visibly teary-eyed while posing beside a large poster of Dharmendra, who passed away on November 24, 2025. The film is scheduled for a theatrical release on January 1, 2026.

Sunny took to Instagram after the event to share a heartfelt message about Ikkis, calling it far more than a film — a tribute, a salute and a gift from Dharmendra to his fans and to the earth he loved. He captioned the post as, “Our Papa, the man of the soil, Ikkis is his salute - his gift to the earth he loved and to the fans who always stood by him. For our family, it is a treasure filled with his spirit, courage, and his heart. Today, with love and immense pride, we share it with the world, hoping it lives on the way he does - forever.”

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During the special screening, Sunny was seen gazing at his father’s poster with emotion before posing for photographers, his eyes reflecting a mix of sadness and fond remembrance of the legend. Close family members, including Bobby Deol and other industry colleagues, were also present, and the atmosphere was both celebratory and poignantly reflective as Ikkis marks the end of an era in Indian cinema.

Also read: Arun Khetarpal’s brother breaks down after watching Ikkis, also praises Agastya, “You will be Arun for life”

The film’s narrative revolves around Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, a young army officer awarded the Param Vir Chakra for bravery during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War, starring Agastya Nanda in the lead role. It also features Dharmendra in a poignant role that now stands as his final on-screen performance, adding emotional weight to the film’s release.