Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended a special screening of the upcoming war film Ikkis in New Delhi, where he felicitated the family of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, a Param Vir Chakra awardee who made the supreme sacrifice during the 1971 India-Pakistan war.
During the event, the Defence Minister also interacted with the film’s cast, including Agastya Nanda and Jaideep Ahlawat. Sharing his thoughts on social media, Rajnath Singh said he was honoured to felicitate the family members of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal and the next of kin of his tank crew, noting that the film celebrates the bravery and courage of India’s Armed Forces.
Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal lost his life at the young age of 21 while displaying extraordinary valour in battle. His story forms the heart of Ikkis, which pays tribute to his enduring legacy. A memorable moment from the recently released trailer features veteran actor Dharmendra’s character stating that Arun will “always be 21,” symbolising his immortal courage.
Produced by Dinesh Vijan and directed by Sriram Raghavan, Ikkis stars the late Dharmendra, Agastya Nanda, Simar Bhatia, and Jaideep Ahlawat. The film is scheduled for a theatrical release on January 1, 2026.
