Mumbai saw a deeply emotional night as Agastya Nanda attended the special screening of Ikkis, a period war drama that also marks the final on-screen appearance of the late Dharmendra. The event brought together several generations of Hindi cinema, and therefore, it turned into a tribute filled with respect, memories, and quiet pride.
Agastya Nanda, who plays the role of young army officer Arun Khetarpal, arrived with co-star Simar Bhatia. Meanwhile, many well-known faces, including Salman Khan, Rekha, Tabu, and members of the Deol family, walked the red carpet. As a result, the screening became one of the most talked-about film events in the city.
One of the most touching moments came when Salman Khan paused beside Dharmendra’s poster. Similarly, Sunny Deol stood calmly near his father’s image, while Bobby Deol arrived later with his family. Therefore, the evening felt less like a film promotion and more like a heartfelt farewell.
Directed by Sriram Raghavan, Ikkis tells the story of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, the youngest recipient of India’s Param Vir Chakra. Agastya Nanda plays the lead role, while Dharmendra appears as his father. Moreover, the film also stars Jaideep Ahlawat, Sikandar Kher, and Vivaan Shah.
Sriram Raghavan shared that he chose Agastya because of his age, dedication, and calm screen presence. In fact, Agastya trained for months, first in military-style boot camps and later with an armoured regiment, to understand a soldier’s life. As a result, his performance focuses more on sincerity than heroism.
Key facts about Ikkis
- Genre: War drama
- Based on: 1971 India-Pakistan war
- Director: Sriram Raghavan
- Release date: January 1, 2026
Main cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Agastya Nanda | Arun Khetarpal |
| Dharmendra | Father of Arun |
| Jaideep Ahlawat | Army officer |
The film avoids loud nationalism and instead highlights courage, loss, and humanity. Therefore, it aims to connect with both young viewers and older audiences. In the end, the screening confirmed that Agastya Nanda is slowly building his place in cinema through serious and meaningful roles.
