Now that the biographical war drama, 'Ikkis', has finally released on January 1, 2026, here comes the netizens' reaction to the film.
Ikkis, the biographical war drama starring Agastya Nanda, Dharmendra and Jaideep Ahlawat, has finally hit the theatres. The film was earlier scheduled to release on December 25, 2025, but got rescheduled for release on January 1, 2026. This film marked the last movie of Bollywood’s 'He-Man'. For the unversed, Dharmendra passed away on November 24, 2025, at the age of 89. Now that the biographical war drama has hit the big screens, let’s find out the netizens’ reaction to the film.
Ikkis features the real-life story of Arun Khetarpal, who was martyred when he was in action during the 1971 Indo-Pak war. Amitabh Bachchan’s grandson, Agastya Nanda, made his silver screen debut with this film and played the role of 'Arun Khetarpal', and Dharmendra portrayed the role of his father, 'Brigadier M. L. Khetarpal'. Jaideep Ahlawat played a key role in the film and has a deep connection with the father-son duo.
Soon after Ikkis hit the theatres, movie buffs watched it and shared their reviews on their X (formerly Twitter) handle. A user wrote, "Review: Ikkis (2026) Sriram Raghavan’s Ikkis is a poignant masterpiece that chooses raw emotion over loud noise. Agastya Nanda shines in a sincere breakout performance as 2nd Lt. Arun Khetarpal, perfectly capturing the journey from innocent boy to battlefield hero. However, the film truly belongs to the legendary Dharmendra in his final on-screen role. Playing the grieving father, his silent, dignified performance is heartbreaking and anchors the emotional core. Unlike typical actioners, this is an intimate, claustrophobic look at war that honours both a young martyr and a cinema icon. A deeply moving watch. Rating: 4½."
A movie critic, Nishit Shaw, penned, "Rating: 3½ A pleasant start to the new year at the cinemas! #Ikkis is impactful. The film is well-made with stunning battlefield visuals and some riveting background score. The cinematography is a plus, while other technical aspects are good. #IkkisReview #AgastyaNanda has done some commendable work, #JaideepAhlawat terrific and #Dharmendra ji fantastic. Dharam ji’s role isn’t just a cameo or a special appearance but is the very soul of the film."
Further, the critic shared the first and second half differences. Giving an overall review, he called the biographical war drama a good watch. He wrote:
"The dialogues could’ve been stronger, and because it's based on a true story, the predictability is inevitable. The first half is ordinary, while the second half is where the major strength of the film lies. The music is decent, but the score is effective. The fight sequences are good, and the film delivers in its entirety. The energy in the film could’ve been higher with crispier writing. The ensemble is super,b and such films require a strong ensemble. The film has a fine balance between light-hearted moments, aggressive moments and emotional ones. Could be a good watch at the theatres."
Film critic, Ravi Chaudhary also shared his review of the film. He lauded Dharmendra, Agastya Nanda and Jaideep Ahlawat's performances. He wrote, "#Ikkis First Review (4/5) A powerful, emotional and patriotic film that hits hard. Direction-Solid and impactful. The storytelling is sharp and sincere by #SriramRaghavan Story- Gripping, emotional, and rooted in patriotism. Keeps you engaged throughout. BGM-Goosebumps-worthy. Elevates every key moment, especially emotional and war sequences. 1st Half- Strong setup, emotional depth, and excellent character building. 2nd Half- Intense, dramatic, and emotionally heavy. Climax-Powerful and tear-jerking. Leaves a lasting impact. #Dharmendra Absolutely outstanding. His performance is emotional and majestic, feels like a tribute. His dialogues and screen presence steal the show. #AgastyaBachchan Impressive debut. Confident, controlled, and sincere performance. #VijayAhlawat- Strong and impactful. Delivers with conviction. Final Verdict- A must-watch patriotic film with heart, soul, and powerful performances."
Have you watched Ikkis or planning to watch it? Let us know.
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