On December 29th, Monday, a special screening of ‘Ikkis’ was held in Mumbai, which quickly turned into a grand, star-studded evening. Several big names from Bollywood, including Salman Khan and Sunny Deol, were present. Following the screening, casting director Mukesh Chhabra shared his heartfelt review of the film, openly praising its emotional power and honest storytelling. This is the first review of the film, and it has already gone viral.
Mukesh Chhabra on ‘Ikkis’
Mukesh Chhabra took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his reaction to the film, writing, “Just watched ‘Ikkis’, a film made straight from the heart. A tender and true story that stays with you long after it’s over. Dharmendra sir… what grace, what depth. If this is your last film, it truly breaks my heart. You have given us something incredibly emotional and important. You will always be remembered, sir.”
Mukesh Chhabra Praises the Cast
He also highly praised the film’s cast. Speaking specifically about Jaideep Ahlawat’s performance, Mukesh wrote, “Jaideep Ahlawat – hats off. This was a pleasant surprise for me. A warm welcome to Agastya Nanda and Simran Bhatia, both looked great on screen. Lovely eyes, fantastic chemistry. Agastya’s innocence and honesty truly shine. Special mention to Vivaan Shah and Sikandar Kher, brilliant work. And above all, Sriram Raghavan, the man, the master. Once again. This is a heartwarming, truthfully told film. Cinema that feels very personal.”
Just watched Ikkis — a film made purely from the heart. Gentle, honest storytelling that stays with you long after it ends.
Dharmendra sir… what grace, what depth. If this is your last film, it truly breaks the heart 💔. You’ve left us with something deeply emotional and…— Mukesh Chhabra CSA (@CastingChhabra) December 29, 2025
What is the film’s story?
‘Ikkis’ is a biographical war drama based on the life of Param Vir Chakra recipient Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal. The film brings to the screen the story of his indomitable courage and sacrifice during the Battle of Basantar in the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war. Agastya Nanda plays the role of Arun Khetarpal. Directed by Sriram Raghavan, the film also features Dharmendra as Arun Khetarpal’s father, Brigadier M.L. Khetarpal (Retd.). Jaideep Ahlawat plays the role of Pakistani Army officer Brigadier Khwaja Mohammad Nasir, while Rahul Dev appears as Lieutenant Colonel (later Lieutenant General) Hanut Singh, MVC.
When is the film releasing?
This film marks Agastya Nanda’s first theatrical release and also the Bollywood debut of Akshay Kumar’s niece, Simar Bhatia. ‘Ikkiis’ was initially scheduled for release on December 25th, but the film will now hit theaters on January 1, 2026. Therefore, all eyes are on how well this film performs. It will also be the first release of the new year 2026. Since it’s expected to be a solo release, it is anticipated to do reasonably well at the box office this weekend.
