Penned by Sriram Raghavan, Arijit Biswas, and Pooja Ladha Surti, Ikkis nurtures the reminiscence. War distorts annals, but how do we forget the bravery it comes with? War dramas are all about the stories that ring deep with emotion, emotions that can be either welcomed or sometimes discarded. Every time I read about an impending war, or watch a film that reflects on wars, my mind murmurs ‘Soldier Side’ by System Of A Down (SOAD)—the lyrics go, “They were crying when their sons left, all young men must go…He’s come so far to find the truth; he’s never going home.” And as you glance at the journey of Arun Khetarpal, played by Agastya Nanda, who sculpted his name at the age of 21, you sense the verses just better.
Ikkis typifies a war drama—lighted with the genre’s signature hallmarks: thunderous explosions, relentless gunfire, and impassioned cries to defend the homeland. Yet, it diverts from the conventional path by delving into an emotional sphere—threaded with romance, aching familial yearning, and a tender warmth that radiates most poignantly in the father-son dynamic. And, with Dharmendra’s swan song on screen, the film’s final moments pulse with the poignancy of a living, breathing poem.
Arun Khetarpal, India’s youngest Param Vir Chakra recipient, becomes the crux of Ikkis. It is a deep delve into his life, where he finds himself in the midst of the battle, facing the opponent, with only his weapon, which is the battle tank. The film gives a backstory of Arun Khetarpal, from his academy days, and also reflects on the moments when he fell in love with Kiran.
Ikkis, however, stands out for showing the aftermath of a war. Reminds me of the poem ‘Anthem for Doomed Youth,” by Wilfred Owen. “What passing-bells for these who die as cattle? — Only the monstrous anger of the guns. Only the stuttering rifles’ rapid rattle… Can patter out their hasty orisons.” For as we steer towards the lingering postures of a war, where we see Brigadier M.L. Khetarpal (Dharmendra), left with nothing but memories of his late son. “What candles may be held to speed them all? Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes…Shall shine the holy glimmers of goodbyes.”
Directed by Sriram Raghavan and produced by Maddock Films, Ikkis dwells on the pall of the hero who sacrificed himself at 21—coasts on the daylight blues, where you recall the life of the unsung heroes in your heart, while you pore over your gaze on the screens.
IWMBuzz rates it 4/5 stars.
