Smoke and smell of gunpowder for whom? Dharmendra became the soul of cinema while leaving, Agastya is unmatched

‘I still remember the smell of that smoke and gunpowder… We were about to change the date, but that one boy changed our destiny.’ This dialogue is the soul of ‘Ikkis’, the story of a passionate hero standing on the threshold of youth, which has been powerfully played by Agastya Nanda. This film of director Shriram Raghavan brings alive the heroic story of tank commander Arun Khetrapal, who achieved amazing courage and martyrdom in the Indo-Pak war of 1971, with bravery, passion, emotion, action and romance. ‘Ikkis’ not only salutes the courage of the brave men who risked their lives on the borders, but also leaves a question and message that what is achieved from such a war? The film is a war drama biopic, but it gives a deep, human message of stopping war. In such an era, where there is a lot of tension ranging from India-Pakistan to Russia-Ukraine, Iran-Israel and China-Taiwan.

Story of ‘Ikkis’

The story begins with retired Brigadier Madan Khetrapal (Dharmendra), who has come to Pakistan for his college reunion. From here the film starts between two timelines. In fact, Brigadier Madan not only wants to meet the waters, birthplace and old friends of Pakistan, but at the same time he also wants to touch the soil where his 21-year-old son Arun Khetarpal, who was a second lieutenant of the Indian Army, had written a new chapter of bravery. That brave man, who got the honor of receiving Paramvir Chakra after martyrdom. Madan stays at Nisar’s (Jaideep Ahlawat) house in Pakistan. Now the irony is that Madan is narrating the heroic story of his son Arun to Nisar, the same Nisar was face to face with Arun in the war.
Pakistani army officer Nisar himself is burdened with the tragic truth that he was the one who killed Arun on the battlefield. The entire story runs from Madan’s perspective. He tells how Arun (Agastya Nanda) was obsessed with becoming a tank commander. She had recently celebrated her 21st birthday. Amidst his rigorous training and successful leadership, he falls in love with Kiran (Simar Bhatia). Then the Kargil war of 1971 is announced. Arun is eager to go to war. He impresses his senior officers Hanut (Mukul Dev) and Sagat Singh (Sikander Kher) with his rigorous training, zeal and enthusiasm and becomes a part of the war.

‘Ikkis’ trailer

‘Ikkis’ Movie Review

Sriram Raghavan, considered a master of suspense and neo-noir crime stories, this time comes out of his comfort zone with a war film. The fabric of emotion has always been strong in his previous films too, and interestingly, despite being based on war, ‘Ikkis’ tells a deeply human story. A Brigadier who has fought in many wars here asks himself, is war necessary? This question becomes even more poignant when the same Brigadier has lost his 21 year old son in the war.
Dharmendra, who became Brigadier in the film, asks Pakistani soldier Jaideep Ahlawat, ‘Who is the enemy?’ So the viewer is also forced to stop and think that both sides have to bear the brunt of the war, no matter who wins. Raghavan’s direction is sharp and effective, and balances the action with emotional context.
We have seen many films on war like ‘Haqeeqat’ and ‘Border’, but it would not be wrong to say that the tank battle between India and Pakistan in the battlefield has perhaps been brought on screen with such detail and reality for the first time. The director beautifully captures the story of present and past. Usually films glorify heroic tales, but here Raghavan makes a conscious effort to keep it human and realistic.
This film gives equal respect to every soldier who sacrifices his life for his country, be it India or Pakistan. The casting is perfect. Anil Mehta’s cinematography is simple and purposeful. The background score suits the theme, although the music does not leave the deep impact that is expected.
In terms of acting also the film proves to be twenty. ‘Ikkis’ is a film that pays tribute to the industry’s heyman Dharmendra. Watching 89 year old Dharmendra on screen proves to be an emotional experience. As long as he remains on the screen, he keeps Darshan captivated with his acting and emotions. This last film of his, immortalises his stature as an actor. Dialogues like a poem by Dharmendra, ‘Aaj bhi ji karta hai, pind apne nu jaanwa’ and ‘Zindagi apna rasta hi bana hi leti hai’ soak one’s heart deep.
Agastya Nanda is innocent, passionate and handsome in the role of Arun. He has very refreshingly portrayed the ‘twenty-one’ year old boy, who is determined to sacrifice his life for his country. Like Dharmendra, Jaideep Ahlawat’s role in the film is also very important. He deepens the role of a brave Pakistani soldier burdened with guilt with his eye expressions. Simar Bhatia is lovely as Kiran.
Deepak Dobriyal and Asrani may appear in the film for a very short time, but they leave a deep impression. Rahul Dev wins hearts in the role of senior officer Hanut, while Sikandar Kher has also been brilliant in the role of Sagat Singh. Vivaan Shah is very convincing in the role of Captain Vijayendra Malhotra and has managed to add light moments. Aquali Khanna has played the role of Jaideep Ahlawat’s wife Mariam beautifully.

Why watch- Do watch this film for Dharmendra’s acting and a different kind of war story.