New Delhi: After a disastrous OTT debut with Zoya Akhtar’s 2024 film, The Archies, Agastya Nanda is set to star in his first feature film, Ikkis. Produced by Maddock Films, the movie is based on the life of India’s youngest Param Vir Chakra awardee, Arun Khetarpal.
Nanda plays Khetarpal, who was killed during the India-Pakistan War of 1971. The film is directed by Sriram Raghavan, who had earlier collaborated with Maddock Films for the revenge drama Badlapur (2015).
The film’s trailer was shared across Maddock Film’s social media handles on Wednesday. “Woh Ikkis Ka Tha, Ikkis Ka Hi Rahega! (He was 21 years old, and he shall always remain 21),” read the caption to the Instagram post.
The trailer shows Khetarpal (Nanda) telling his batchmates, “This regiment’s next Param Vir Chakra will be mine.”
It goes on to show glimpses of the young soldier’s life, including his days as a cadet in the National Defence Academy, a hint of romance, and his experience in the war.
Veteran actor Dharmendra is playing the role of Brigadier KL Khetarpal, Arun’s father, whose stories of valour inspired the young man to join the Army. “Now he has become a story,” says Dharmendra.
The film also stars Jaideep Ahlawat and Simar Bhatia.
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Maddock’s military ‘true stories’
Ikkis is Maddock Film’s second venture into the space of ‘true stories’ of India’s military valour. The production house released Sky Force earlier this year, against the backdrop of India’s airstrike at Pakistan’s Sargodha air base in 1965. It marked the debut of actor Veer Pahariya, who played Ajjamada Boppayya Devayya MVC, who was fictionalised as T Krishna Vijaya. Akshay Kumar portrayed his commander and mentor, Kumar Om Ahuja, based on fighter pilot Om Prakash Taneja.
The film grossed Rs 144.2 crore worldwide, failing to recover its costs.
However, the production company has had a successful run with its horror comedy universe, with the latest instalment, Thamma, already crossing the Rs 100 crore mark after a week of its Diwali release.
(Edited by Prasanna Bachchhav)