Agastya Nanda Shines As Param Vir Chakra Recipient Arun Khetarpal In ‘Ikkis’ Poster
The first look of Agastya Nanda’s ‘Ikkis’ is out, showcasing him as Param Vir Chakra hero Arun Khetarpal.
The Indian film industry has a long tradition of celebrating the valour of its armed forces through powerful war dramas like ‘Border’, ‘Lakshya’, and ‘Shershaah’. Now, another real-life hero’s story is set to inspire audiences – that of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, India’s youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra. His bravery will be brought to the big screen in ‘Ikkis’, starring Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan’s grandson and actor Agastya Nanda in the lead role, with the film slated to release in December 2025.
The first look poster of ‘Ikkis’ was unveiled on social media by Maddock Films, along with the announcement that the film has officially wrapped.
The caption read, “On the birth anniversary of Arun Khetarpal, Ikkis, a story that will forever stay in our hearts, is wrapped. Dinesh Vijan and Maddock Films present Ikkis, directed by Sriram Raghavan — a true untold story of the youngest officer recipient of the Param Vir Chakra. In cinemas December 2025!”
Check out the Instagram post below:
The film is directed by Sriram Raghavan, known for his mastery in storytelling, and produced by Dinesh Vijan under the Maddock Films banner. ‘Ikkis’ narrates the extraordinary courage of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, who fought valiantly during the 1971 Indo-Pak war and sacrificed his life at just 21 years old during the Battle of Basantar.
The film also stars veteran actor Dharmendra in a pivotal role, alongside a talented supporting cast that includes Sikandar Kher, Jaideep Ahlawat, Shree Bishnoi, Ekavali Khanna, and Mohan Godara.
The announcement received an outpouring of love and support. Agastya’s sister, Navya Nanda, and uncle Abhishek Bachchan proudly reshared the post, while his rumoured girlfriend, Suhana Khan, also took to Instagram Stories to show her support.
Fans flooded the comments section with excitement, praising the choice of subject and expressing pride in seeing a young actor portray a national hero. “We need more true untold stories on the big screen,” one fan wrote. Another commented, “All the very best to Agastya and the team — eagerly waiting!”
Earlier in May, the teaser of ‘Ikkis’ offered an emotional glimpse into the film. It opened with a letter received by Lt. Khetarpal’s father, informing him of his son’s martyrdom on December 16, 1971, before transitioning into intense wartime visuals. Agastya, in uniform, embodied the spirit of the young soldier, capturing both his courage and innocence.
‘Ikkis’ marks Agastya Nanda’s first theatrical release and second project after his acting debut in Zoya Akhtar’s ‘The Archies’ (2023) on Netflix, where he played Archie Andrews alongside Suhana Khan and Khushi Kapoor.
With ‘Ikkis’, Agastya takes a giant leap into serious cinema, carrying forward the legendary legacy of his grandparents, Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan, as he steps into one of the most inspiring roles of his budding career.
