Mumbai, Oct 14 (PTI) Maddock Films has unveiled the first look of actor Agastya Nanda in the war drama “Ikkis,” directed by esteemed filmmaker Sriram Raghavan. This film is inspired by the brave life of Param Vir Chakra recipient Arun Khetarpal, with a theatrical release set for December 2025, as announced by the production house on their social media platforms.
The intriguing tagline, "Woh Ikkis ka tha, Ikkis ka hi rahega," introduces this poignant story, brought to life by the collaboration of Dinesh Vijan and Maddock Films under Raghavan's adept direction. Agastya Nanda will portray Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, the heroic young officer who was martyred at 21 during the 1971 Indo-Pak war at the Battle of Basantar.
For his extraordinary valor and sacrifice, Khetarpal was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military honor, becoming its youngest recipient. Joining Nanda in this compelling narrative are seasoned actors Dharmendra, Jaideep Ahlawat, and Sikander Kher in pivotal roles.
The project initially came to light in 2019, coinciding with Arun Khetarpal's 69th birth anniversary, with Varun Dhawan originally cast as the lead. However, the pandemic-induced delays resulted in Dhawan stepping down due to scheduling conflicts.
“Ikkis” marks a significant milestone for Agastya Nanda, the son of Shweta Bachchan Nanda and Nikhil Nanda. He previously debuted in the film industry with Zoya Akhtar’s “The Archies” in 2023.
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