'Ikkis' director Sriram Raghavan shares he 'REGRETS' Dharmendra couldn't watch the completed version of the film

Hindi cinema icon Dharmendra's last film, 'Ikkis', is all set to hit theaters on the first day of the upcoming year. Directed by Sriram Raghavan, the war drama marks the big-screen debut of Amitabh Bachchan's grandson, Agastya Nanda. Ahead of its release, the filmmaker shared that the late legendary actor didn't get to watch the complete version of the film. Here's what he shared.

Sriram Raghavan shares that Dharmendra couldn't watch the completed version of the film

In an interview with ANI, filmmaker Sriram Raghavan talked about his association with Dharmendra for the film. He said, "I met him in October. That time he was okay, but he was not too well."




The director further added, "He did watch the first half and waited for the second half. I wanted him to see the film in its entirety. Somehow, that couldn't happen."

Raghavan expressed that the cinema legend "is not here to enjoy the work he had done, and people appreciate that. That is a regret we have."

Sriram Raghavan further revealed that Dharmendra used to write his dialogues in Urdu before the shoot. The filmmaker said, "He's old school. He would write his dialogues in Urdu. And he would also write the core actor's dialogues. He was extremely well-prepared."

More about 'Ikkis'

The film will mark Dharmendra's first and only posthumous screen appearance. The movie was set to hit theaters on December 25, 2025; however, it was pushed due to 'Dhurandhar' fever at the box office.

The movie is based on the life of the martyred Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, the youngest recipient of the Paramvir Chakra award (posthumously). The movie also stars Jaideep Ahlawat, Suhasini Mulay, Sikander Kher, and Rahul Dev.

About Dharmendra

The legendary actor passed away on November 24, 2025, at his Juhu residence in Mumbai after battling health issues. He is survived by his wife, Hema Malini. They have two daughters—Esha and Ahana. Dharmendra also has four children with his first wife, Prakash Kaur, including actors Sunny and Bobby Deol.

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