I have seen many anti-Pakistani war and spy films being made by Bollywood. However, a recent theatrical release by the name “Ikkis”, translated as “21”, shocked me. I was not expecting a sudden psychological shift in the Indian film industry in support of Pakistani sentiments. Produced by Dinesh Vijan and co-written and directed by Sriram Raghavan, Ikkis was released on January 1, 2026, on the occasion of welcoming the New Year.
The Romantic Track “Sajda” From Ikkis: Introducing Agastya Nanda as Indian Army Martyr Arun Khetrapal and Simar Bhatia as his Love Interest

This biographical war drama tells the story of a young legendary Indian Army tank commander, Arun Khetrapal (Played by Agastya Nanda), and his contributions and sacrifice during the India-Pakistan War of 1971. This story accounts for Khetrapal’s extraordinary bravery during the fierce battle between India and Pakistan. He died on December 16, 1971, while fighting the enemy and destroying 10 Pakistani tanks.
A Hero At 21 — Ikkis (2026) Official Trailer:

The Good:
Ikkis (2026): Agastya Nanda debuts as the 21-year-old Indian War Hero, tank commander Arun Khetrapal
Ikkis marks the end of an era by being the late veteran actor Dharmenda’s last film, and was released after his demise. Dharmendra plays late Arun Khetrapal’s father. Popularly addressed as the “He-Man of Bollywood”, he will be remembered for his iconic contributions in Indian cinema.
As a young man, during the 1970s, he had strangled and killed two grown leopards with his bare hands on the film sets as an act of self-defense, when he was accidentally attacked by those leopards. You would enjoy watching his enduring performance in this film. Besides, the romantic tracks in Ikkis are melodious.
The Patriotic Track “Hum Fauji Hain” in Ikkis: Starring Agastya Nanda

The Bad:
Featuring Dharmendra as Arun Khetrapal’s father, who visited Pakistan after his son’s death
However, I am utterly disappointed with Ikkis. This is to the makers. In the name of “upholding peace”, you just cannot show anything. You should remember what Pakistanis did to several Hindus and how frequently they have attacked India with the motive of occupying our territory.
I feel Bollywood has left a black spot on Indian filmmaking by coming out with such a despicable war drama. First and foremost, I would like to apologize to our braveheart martyr, Param Vir Chakra recipient, Late Second Lieutenant Arun Khetrapal and his family, that after so many years, Bollywood has considered recognizing his war contributions and coming out with a film on him. But in that endeavor, they actually came out with a movie that disgraces the entire Indian military force.
I am saying so because after watching Ikkis, you would feel that this is not an Indian film, but rather a Pakistani one. This film has been made from Pakistan’s point of view. It shows what a “great country” Pakistan is! Here, Pakistan tries to tell India, “Look, there’s no other country in this world that can be more peace-loving than us! In fact, we have been the victims of your torture.” So, literally, when you watch Ikkis, you would feel that this is a Pakistani film, not a Bollywood one.
Ikkis (2026) The Final Trailer:

Presenting Jaideep Ahlawat as Pakistani Army’s Brigadier, Jaan Mohammad Nisar
When Arun Khetrapal’s father (played by Dharmendra) visits Pakistan, to see his ancestral home there, he is shown coming across various incidents like some Pakistani’s protesting to rename a street after Indian freedom fighter Shahid Bhagat Singh, a Hindu’s shop which was established in Lahore, Pakistan and is still operating there, and Pakistani army officers coming to him and shedding tears. As if Pakistanis got Pro-India sentiments, and Indians are the ones who actually attack Pakistan.
This biographical war drama can make the blood of any patriotic Indian boil with rage. I don’t want to say it, but Maddock Films, please have some shame. You make a film in the name of honoring our brave martyr, and instead end up insulting the Indian Army?
Introducing Simar Bhatia as Arun Khetrapal’s girlfriend
Throughout the screenplay, the Indian Army has been shown as some aggressive and mindless monsters who are attacking and destroying areas in Pakistan and celebrating. I mean, what exactly are you trying to convey? I would suggest that you could have done a bit of research before making such a foolish joke.
India never attacks Pakistan by itself. But of course, we have to retaliate if Pakistan attacks our land. And you try to show that only saints reside in Pakistan? When a martyr has sacrificed his life fighting for our country, do you make a biographical film in support and sympathy for the enemy who killed him? What’s the justification?
If you really had to show the “true face” of Pakistan, then why not show the mass massacre of Hindus, the brutal assaults and rapes of millions of Hindu women, and the horrendous tortures to Indian prisoners of war carried out by Pakistanis?
And the dialogues are even more sarcastic. You would hear the Pakistanis saying, “Which enemy (referring to India)? We are just soldiers in war.”
The Dialogue “Pind Apne Nu Jaanwa” By Dharmendra

The screenplay and the casting in Ikkis were absolutely absurd. The film fluctuates from the present to the past with the portrayal of some random war scenes. As such, at times, it becomes difficult to distinguish Indian and Pakistani soldiers in the war scenes. Moreover, the cinematography and editing are below average.
Starkids always make it to the big screens in Bollywood. Rarely are any newcomers entertained. I think this time, Bollywood desperately wanted to cast starkid Agastya Nanda, who has no experience in acting. The makers might have had some pressure from higher officials, like, “Make anything you want, but cast this boy as a lead somehow!” So, they might have decided to give the boy a lead role in some historical war action drama, which ultimately comes out as a controversial disaster. To add to it, the supporting cast, including Jaideep Ahlawat and Sikander Kher, have quite shady roles.
The Romantic Tracks “Sitaare” and “Tera Aashiq” From Ikkis Featuring Agastya Nanda and Simar Bhatia


The Verdict: A Pro-Pakistani Film – Probably The Worst Film Ever Made in Indian History!

When the director of Ikkis, Sriram Raghavan, was asked about the blockbuster action-thriller Dhurandhar, he lent his progressive wisdom by saying, “Dhurandhar is downright silly. It’s not on par with my filmmaking style.” I would like to tell him, “Brother, I just experienced what your ‘style’ of filmmaking really is!” All you can do is end up supporting and sympathizing with the enemy, who has caused utter distress to our country since we gained Independence!
I would dare any patriotic Indian, like me, to sit through this horrific insult to our nation in the name of a historical war film. Any true Indian watching this may have his eyes popped out with rage for the insult it has portrayed towards our nation and armed forces. As for me, I was checking the time every now and then inside the theater hall, hoping this piece of joke would end soon.
The Story Of Brave Indian Martyr Arun Khetrapal In Ikkis (2026)

My condolences to the late Arun Khetrapal once again. Bollywood did finally make a film on him, but they completely destroyed Indian patriotic emotions by falsely showing our enemy nation as the victim. As per Bollywood, Pakistanis were just retaliating, which is far from the truth. They were the original attackers, in fact. They attacked us because they wanted to occupy Indian territories. That’s what the India-Pakistan War of 1971 was all about. Bollywood really needs to do some homework about who the “monster” actually was.
What’s more, there’s no confirmed evidence of late Arun Khetrapal’s love life, as he died very young, when he was only 21 years old. Maybe he was single, we never know! But Bollywood has to spice up everything! Even if a person might have been single, and you come out with a biographical film on him, it has to show that he was committed, just for the sake of creativity (Arun Khetrapal’s love interest being played by Simar Bhatia). I believe creative freedom is good, but it should not be at the cost of falsely representing someone’s life.
I am giving a 2.3/10 rating to Ikkis just because veteran actor Dharmendra was in it, and it contains some mellifluous romantic tracks. Otherwise, this film doesn’t deserve any rating at all.
Ikkis (2026): For Some, Life May Begin At 21; But Legends Create A Legacy At That Age!

The Motivating Track “Ban Ke Dikha Ikkis”; Rather I Would Like To Tell The Makers “Theek Se Bana Ke Dikha Ikkis”!

 

Acting – 4/10

Cinematography/Visual Effects – 4.5/10

Plot/Screenplay – 1.5/10

Setting/Theme – 1/10

Watchability – 3/10

Rewatchability – 0/10

Ikkis (2026): A Biographical War Drama With Pro-Pakistani Sentiments
Ikkis is a joke in the name of a historical war drama. If Maddock Films has forgotten the distress Pakistan has caused our country with multiple unanticipated attacks in the past, then they must do some homework before coming up with their next historical war drama, if they ever plan to make one in the future.

Pros
Veteran actor Dharmendra’s last film, thus marking the end of an iconic era
Melodious romantic tracks

Cons
Made in support and sympathy for Pakistan; it proves to be an insult to our braveheart martyrs of war
Appears as if it has been made just with the intention to launch starkid Agastya Nanda
Perplexing screenplay and shoddy editing with random and confusing war scenes
Unimpressive cinematography in the war scenes

span,
.wp-review-1016718.wp-review-percentage-type .review-list li > span {
position: absolute;
top: 18px;
left: 25px;
color: #fff;
font-size: 14px;
line-height: 1;
}
.wp-review-1016718 .review-title,
.wp-review-1016718 .review-list li,
.wp-review-1016718 .review-list li:last-child {
border: none;
}
.wp-review-1016718 .review-links {
padding: 30px 30px 20px 30px;
width: 100%;
}
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper .review-total-wrapper .review-result-wrapper .review-result i,
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper .review-total-wrapper .review-result-wrapper i {
color: #fff;
opacity: 0.7;
}
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper .review-total-wrapper .review-result-wrapper .review-result i { opacity: 1; }
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper .review-pros-cons {
clear: both;
padding: 0;
border-bottom: 1px solid
}
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper .review-pros-cons > div > div {
padding: 10px 30px;
}
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper .review-pros-cons .review-pros,
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper .review-pros-cons .review-cons {
padding: 0;
}
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper .review-pros-cons .review-pros .mb-5 {
background: #000000;
padding: 10px 20px 10px 30px;
color: #fff;
}
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper .review-pros-cons .review-cons .mb-5 {
background: #c8dde6;
padding: 10px 20px 10px 30px;
color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.45);
}
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper .review-pros-cons .review-pros ul {
padding: 10px 0 30px;
margin: 0;
}
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper .review-pros-cons .review-pros .mb-5 + p {
padding: 10px 30px 30px 30px;
margin: 0;
}
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper .review-pros-cons .review-cons ul {
padding: 10px 0 30px;
margin: 0;
}
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper .review-pros-cons .review-cons .mb-5 + p {
padding: 10px 30px 30px 30px;
margin: 0;
}
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper .mb-5 {
text-transform: uppercase;
letter-spacing: 1px;
}
.wp-review-1016718 .user-review-area {
padding: 12px 30px;
border-bottom: 1px solid;
}
.wp-review-1016718 .wp-review-user-rating .review-result-wrapper .review-result {
letter-spacing: -1.85px;
}
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper .review-title {
border: none;
font-weight: 700;
padding: 12px 30px;
background: #f5f8f8;
letter-spacing: 1px;
border-bottom: 1px solid #c8dde6;
}
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper .review-total-wrapper {
margin: 30px 30px 30px;
color: #fff;
text-align: center;
background: #dd3333;
}
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper .review-total-wrapper .review-total-box h5 {
margin-bottom: 12px;
color: inherit;
}
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper.wp-review-circle-type .review-total-wrapper > .review-total-box {
display: block;
}
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper.wp-review-circle-type .review-total-wrapper > .review-total-box > div { display: none; }
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper.wp-review-circle-type .review-total-wrapper {
background: transparent;
color: inherit;
padding: 30px;
margin: 0;
min-height: 186px;
}
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper.wp-review-circle-type .review-total-wrapper .review-circle.review-total {
margin: 0 auto;
}
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper.wp-review-circle-type .user-total-wrapper .user-review-title {
border: 0;
margin-top: 0;
}
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper.wp-review-circle-type .user-review-area {
padding: 12px 30px;
}
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper .review-percentage .review-result-wrapper,
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper .review-percentage .review-result,
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper .review-point .review-result-wrapper,
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper .review-point .review-result {
box-shadow: inset 0px 0px 3px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);
height: 32px;
margin-bottom: 0;
background: #ddc1c1;
}
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper .review-total-wrapper .review-total-box {
padding: 0 30px;
line-height: 1.5;
text-align: center;
}
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper .review-total-wrapper .review-total-box small {
margin-top: 10px;
text-align: center;
font-weight: normal;
}
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper.wp-review-point-type .review-total-wrapper .review-total-box,
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper.wp-review-percentage-type .review-total-wrapper .review-total-box {
width: 100%;
}
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper .review-star.review-total {
color: #fff;
}
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper .user-review-title {
padding: 10px 30px;
color: inherit;
border-bottom: 1px solid #c8dde6;
}
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper .user-total-wrapper .user-review-title {
display: inline-block;
color: #000000;
padding: 0;
margin-top: 5px;
}
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper .reviewed-item {
padding: 30px;
}
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper .review-list {
overflow: hidden;
padding: 20px 15px 20px 15px;
border-bottom: 1px solid #c8dde6;
}
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper.wp-review-thumbs-type .review-list li { width: 100% }
.wp-review-1016718 .review-embed-code { padding: 10px 30px 30px; }
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper,
.wp-review-1016718 .review-title,
.wp-review-1016718 .review-list li,
.wp-review-1016718 .review-list li:last-child,
.wp-review-1016718 .user-review-area,
.wp-review-1016718 .reviewed-item,
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper .review-desc,
.wp-review-1016718 .review-links,
.wp-review-1016718 .wpr-user-features-rating,
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper .review-pros-cons {
border-color: #c8dde6;
}
.wp-review-1016718 .wpr-rating-accept-btn {
background: #dd3333;
background: linear-gradient(to top, #c62d2d 0%, #dd3333 100%);
border-radius: 50px;
border: 1px solid #c62d2d;
margin: 10px 30px;
width: -moz-calc(100% – 60px);
width: -webkit-calc(100% – 60px);
width: -o-calc(100% – 60px);
width: calc(100% – 60px);
}
@media screen and (max-width:480px) {
.wp-review-1016718.wp-review-star-type .review-list li:before { top: 30px; }
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper .review-title,
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper .reviewed-item,
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper .review-list li,
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper .review-desc,
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper .user-review-area,
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper .review-embed-code,
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper .user-review-title { padding: 15px; }
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper .review-pros-cons > div > div { padding: 15px; padding-top: 0; }
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper .review-list { padding: 0; }
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper .review-list li { width: 100%; }
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper .ui-tabs-nav { padding: 0 15px; }
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper .review-links { padding: 15px 15px 5px; }
.wp-review-1016718.wp-review-point-type .review-list li > span,
.wp-review-1016718.wp-review-percentage-type .review-list li > span { top: 15px; }
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper.wp-review-circle-type .user-review-area { padding: 10px 15px; }
.wp-review-1016718.review-wrapper .review-total-wrapper { width: 100%; margin: 0 0 15px; }
}
]]>