Ikkis': Dharmendra’s 'pain of leaving his home in Punjab' and 'poems' became part of Agastya Nanda starrer, reveals Sriram Raghavan

The news of Dharmendra’s passing on November 24 still stings across the film world. Generations of viewers grew up watching him. Many saw him as a constant on-screen. Now, audiences are turning their attention to ‘Ikkis’, his final release. The film arrives with a quieter mood. It carries the weight of a closing chapter.

When life quietly shaped the performance

Director Sriram Raghavan has shared details about Dharmendra’s work on the film. He described the process as deeply personal. In an interview with The Hindu, Raghavan said, “With Dharamji, there was no acting. I mean, his walk, his gait, everything is part of the character. He connected deeply with the story. The pain of leaving his home in Punjab had settled in his body over the years. The idea of revisiting home became a very personal experience; he was totally into the character. He had a keen sense of dialogue and valued the economy of words.”


Raghavan said Dharmendra shaped his scenes with restraint and instinct. He also spoke about how the actor approached dialogue and rhythm on set. “I gave him the dialogues, but always asked him how he would like to deliver them. He would offer his own improvisation, and I have used many of his lines. We would often discuss his poetry. I wanted him to get his poems published, but he was in no hurry. I requested him to recite one of his compositions for the film, and it was lovely.”

A final bow that feels deeply personal

‘Ikkis’ is a biographical war drama based on the life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal. The story focuses on the Battle of Basantar during the 1971 India-Pakistan War. The title refers to the age at which Khetarpal attained martyrdom.

Agastya Nanda plays Arun Khetarpal. Simar Bhatia appears as Kiran. Dharmendra plays Brigadier ML Khetarpal (Retd.), Arun’s father, marking his posthumous on-screen appearance.

The cast also includes Jaideep Ahlawat, Shree Bishnoi, Suhasini Mulay, Sikander Kher, Rahul Dev, and Vivaan Shah. A special screening took place in Mumbai ahead of the theatrical release. Rekha, Salman Khan, Fardeen Khan, Riteish Deshmukh, and Genelia D’Souza attended.

‘Ikkis’ releases in theaters on January 1, 2026. The film now stands as Dharmendra’s final credit. It also stands as a last chance for audiences to see him in a new role, on the big screen, one more time.




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