Karan Johar says Dharmendra commands Ikkis: 'Moist-eyed every time he was on-screen”

Karan Johar says Dharmendra commands Ikkis: 'Moist-eyed every time he was on-screen”

• Karan Johar praises Ikkis as a moving film and a "love letter to peace"
• Dharmendra's emotional performance and poem in Ikkis earn strong acclaim
• Agastya Nanda, Jaideep Ahlawat praised for roles in war drama

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Karan Johar has added his voice to the growing praise for Ikkis, calling the film a deeply moving cinematic experience and a “love letter to peace.” Directed by Sriram Raghavan, the war drama stars Agastya Nanda, Dharmendra, and Jaideep Ahlawat, and has been holding steady at the box office while earning strong word-of-mouth.

Sharing a poster of the film on Instagram, Karan Johar penned a heartfelt appreciation note, describing how the film affected him on an emotional level. “IKKIS is a love letter to peace… an honestly and earnestly told story about the absolute redundancy of war,” Johar wrote, praising the film’s restraint and emotional intelligence. He added that the narrative does not rely on loud statements but instead “silently screams,” crediting Sriram Raghavan for finding power in understatement.

A significant portion of Johar’s note was dedicated to Dharmendra, whose performance clearly left a lasting impression on the filmmaker. “I was so moved by so many moments of the film… I was moist eyed every time Dharamji was on screen,” Johar wrote. Calling the veteran actor’s presence unforgettable, he added, “He has the most towering screen presence and yet can be so gentle and your heart goes out to his immensely dignified portrayal of a grieving father.” Dharmendra’s emotional poem in the film has also emerged as one of Ikkis’s most talked-about highlights, resonating strongly with audiences.

Johar was equally generous in his praise for Jaideep Ahlawat, whose consistency as a performer continues to earn industry-wide respect. “@jaideepahlawat proves time and again what an outstanding force of nature he is… he is ROCK SOLID!!” Johar wrote, underlining the actor’s impact in the film.

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For debutant Agastya Nanda, Ikkis marks a crucial milestone, and Johar did not hold back in acknowledging the young actor’s potential. “Agastya Nanda is OUTSTANDING as the 21-year-old Arun Khetarpal… his endearing innocence, silent resolve and eventual climax break out proves his mettle as an artist,” he noted, adding that he was “so proud and excited” to see Agastya emerge as a sincere and solid actor. Johar concluded by saying he was eager to watch Agastya’s journey unfold.

Wrapping up his note, Johar applauded producer Dinesh Vijan and Maddock Films for backing what he described as a brave and refreshing take on the war genre. “Please go watch this gem of a true story,” he urged.

Earlier, Amitabh Bachchan had also praised Ikkis, especially applauding his grandson Agastya Nanda’s performance. With strong endorsements from across the industry and steady box office performance, Ikkis is steadily carving its place as a film driven by emotion, restraint, and a powerful plea for peace.