Ikkis

Ikkis is a recent biographical war drama released on January 1, 2026, that portrays the life and heroism of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War.

The film centers on Arun Khetarpal's (Agastya Nanda) role in the Battle of Basantar, where he earned the Param Vir Chakra at age 21. It interweaves his final battle with his father Brigadier M L Khetarpal's (Dharmendra) 2001 visit to Pakistan, meeting the enemy commander he faced.

Directed by Sriram Raghavan, it marks debuts and final roles: Agastya Nanda as Arun, Dharmendra as his father, Jaideep Ahlawat as Pakistani Brigadier Khwaja Mohammed Naseer, and Simar Bhatia. Runtime is 2 hours 24 minutes.

Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, one of India's youngest Param Vir Chakra recipients, showed extraordinary bravery during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War. At just 21, he sacrificed his life in the Battle of Basantar, destroying multiple enemy tanks while refusing to abandon his position.

Early Life

Arun Khetarpal was born on October 14, 1950, into a military family in Pune. He trained at the National Defence Academy and Indian Military Academy, joining the 17 Poona Horse regiment in June 1971, only months before the war.

Battle of Basantar

During the 1971 war in the Shakargarh sector, Indian forces faced a fierce Pakistani counterattack with Patton tanks across minefields. Khetarpal's Centurion tank troop broke through and engaged the enemy, where he destroyed several tanks despite heavy fire.

His tank took hits, but he pressed on, knocking out up to 10 enemy tanks in total. Ordered to withdraw, he replied famously: "No, Sir, I will not abandon my tank. My main gun is still working and I will get these bastards."

Final Moments

In his last act, Khetarpal destroyed an enemy tank just 100 meters away before a shell fatally wounded him on December 16, 1971. His stand prevented a Pakistani breakthrough, securing the bridgehead for India.

Legacy

Posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, his tank "Famagusta" was captured and later returned. In 2001, his father met the Pakistani commander he fought, confirming the valor through enemy accounts. Khetarpal remains a symbol of sacrifice.