“Every war movie, good or bad, is an anti-war movie.” - Steven Spielberg
Ikkis, featuring Agastya Nanda, the late Dharmendra, and Jaideep Ahlawat, is based on the real-life story of India’s youngest Param Vir Chakra awardee, Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal. The movie follows the war of 1971 between India and Pakistan, where Second Lieutenant Arun Khetrapal displayed incredible bravery, attaining martyrdom after destroying several Pakistani tanks.
Sriram Raghavan, one of India’s finest directors, decided to take on the Herculean task of making a realistic anti-war movie at a time when most Hindi movie offerings are filled with unrealistic action sequences, displays of over-the-top bravado, and chest-thumping. Kudos to him for trying something different.
The intent of this movie was clearly visible. It aimed to be an anti-war movie. And in that regard, for me, it did succeed. However, this movie is an example of a maker with good intentions having a problematic execution.
For an almost predictable story, the makers decided to use shifting narratives between the dramatised version of Lieutenant Arun Khetrapal’s personal life, the arc of Dharmendra and Jaideep Ahlawat in Pakistan, and the scenes of the war. It felt as if this was done in an attempt to lead to a big revelation. However, it just felt awkward to be shown in such a manner. The constant shifts from the war-ravaged zones to old Pakistan felt clunky and hindered my viewing experience.
One of the positives of this movie was the strong performances by Dharmendra and Jaideep Ahlawat. While Jaideep’s scenes genuinely drew you into the story, Dharmendra’s emotional performance saved this movie. The on-screen presence of both these actors, Jaideep as the Pakistani brigadier and Dharmendra, an ex-military man and the father of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetrapal, visiting Lahore for his college reunion, was terrific. Agastya Nanda and Simar Bhatia played the roles of Arun Khetrapal and Kiran decently well.
I was not a fan of the background score of this movie. It lacked the strength that was needed to pull me in.
Another thing that this movie got right was the depiction of the war sequences. I felt that these were some of the best realistic action sequences that I had seen in a long time in any Hindi movie.
Overall, it was a decent and brave attempt to make this movie. Despite its storytelling issues, lackluster background score, and shaky foundations, I’d suggest to anyone who is even slightly interested in the story of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetrapal to give this movie a try.
My final rating: