Mumbai: Maddock Films has unveiled the latest trailer of its upcoming war drama Ikkis, which is set to take one of the most inspirational true life stories in India to the big screen. Directed by Sriram Raghavan, the film is based on the life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, the youngest Param Vir Chakra awardee whose bravery during the 1971 Indo Pak war made him a national hero. The film is now set to release in theatres on January 1, 2026.
The makers have posted the trailer with a strong message referring to Ikkis as a true story of unmatched bravery and mentioning Arun Khetarpal as a hero who was as young as 21 and turned into an eternal memory. The final trailer offers an emotional preview of the brief but remarkable life of the young army officer, his fearlessness in the battlefield, and the profound sense of duty that dictated his actions.
A Trailer That Blends Action With Emotion
The final trailer of Ikkis stands out for its emotional depth as much as its intense war sequences. While it sets the stage for large scale military action, it also explores Arun Khetarpal’s personal world. The movie reveals the relationship he has with the family, the virtues that made him the person he is and the sacrifices involved in serving the country.
A scene that has been widely discussed in the trailer is one that has veteran actor Dharmendra. His character, who has a photograph of his sons, is very emotional in presenting this line and this has resonated with the audience. He says that while his younger son Mukesh is now 50, his elder son Arun will always remain 21. This moment captures the heart of the film and reminds viewers why Arun Khetarpal’s story continues to inspire generations.
The Story of a Young Hero Who Fought Against All Odds
Arun Khetarpal was commissioned into the Indian Army’s 17 Poona Horse regiment after graduating from the Indian Military Academy. During the Battle of Basantar in December 1971, he led his squadron through heavily mined terrain to provide critical armoured support.
Arun Khetarpal took out ten enemy tanks when they were unleashing a lot of fire at him. Having been struck in the back and fired his tank, although fatally wounded, he still would not leave his position. His courage and determination played a key role in the battle. For this extraordinary act of bravery, he was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military honour.
Cast and Crew Behind Ikkis
Ikkis is a powerful ensemble movie with Agastya Nanda, acting as Arun Khetarpal. It is the first theater release of Agastya since Netflix released The Archies, his debut last year. Other key actors in the film include Dharmendra and Jaideep Ahlawat.
The film introduces Simar Bhatia, niece of Akshay Kumar, who makes her acting debut with this project. Ikkis will use a combination of established casts and new talents to lend some reality and emotional depth to its narration.
The film was produced by Dinesh Vijan under the banner of Maddock Films with Sharada Karki Jalota, Poonam Shivdasani, and Binny Padda as co producers. The screenplay has been written by Sriram Raghavan along with Arijit Biswas and Pooja Ladha Surti.
Why the Release Date Was Changed
The trailer launch follows shortly after the makers had declared a shift in the release date of the film. Ikkis was initially planned to arrive in theatres on December 25, 2025 but was later rescheduled to January 1, 2026.
Several reports suggested that the shift was made to avoid a box office clash with Dharma Productions’ Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri. It was also rumored that the decision was influenced by the high buzz about Dhurandhar. To further fuel the debate, Amitabh Bachchan has recently suggested socially that astrology may have had a say in the decision on the new release date.
Also Read | Bharti Singh and Haarsh Limbachiyaa Are Blessed With a Baby Boy; Become Parents for the Second Time
