Param Vir Chakra Hero Arun Khetarpal’s Biopic ‘Ikkis’ to Release in December, Agastya Nanda to Play Lead

Maddock Films announced that the long-awaited biopic of Param Vir Chakra awardee Arun Khetarpal, titled ‘Ikkis’, will now release in December 2025, coinciding with Khetarpal’s birth anniversary. The film, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Sriram Raghavan, was earlier scheduled for an October release.

Sharing the official poster, Maddock Films wrote: “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.”

Agastya Nanda as Arun Khetarpal

The poster features Agastya Nanda, grandson of Amitabh Bachchan, portraying Arun Khetarpal in a war-torn landscape, surrounded by tanks and flames. The tagline reads: “Woh Ikkis Ka Tha, Ikkis Ka Hi Rahega,” emphasizing Khetarpal’s valor and legendary status.

Khetarpal, India’s youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, sacrificed his life during the Battle of Basantar in the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971, becoming a symbol of courage and dedication in the Indian Army.

Cast and Production Updates

The film’s ensemble cast includes Dharmendra, Jaideep Ahlawat, Sikandar Kher, and Simar Bhatia, Akshay Kumar’s niece. The biopic was originally announced in 2019 on Khetarpal’s 69th birth anniversary, with Varun Dhawan initially set to play the lead. However, pandemic-related delays and scheduling conflicts led to Dhawan’s exit and the subsequent casting of Agastya Nanda.

Agastya Nanda’s Rising Career

‘Ikkis’ marks Agastya Nanda’s second major film project following his debut in Netflix’s 2023 teen musical comedy ‘The Archies’, directed by Zoya Akhtar. Industry experts note that portraying a war hero of Khetarpal’s stature is likely to be a defining role for the young actor.

With Sriram Raghavan at the helm and a mix of seasoned actors and fresh talent, ‘Ikkis’ promises to be a gripping retelling of one of India’s most heroic military stories.