When Courage Was Just 21: Movie Ikkis and the Boy Who Became Immortal

Some stories don’t announce themselves with noise. They arrive quietly, sit beside you, and by the time the final frame fades, they’ve wrapped themselves around your heart.

Sriram Raghavan’s Ikkis is one such film.

Set against the thunderous backdrop of the 1971 Indo–Pak war, Ikkis doesn’t chase spectacle for the sake of it. Instead, it gently peels back the uniform to reveal the boy beneath—the son, the dreamer, the soldier who was only 21 years old when courage asked everything of him.

This is the story of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, India’s youngest Param Vir Chakra awardee. But more than that, it is a story of legacy—of how bravery outlives the body, and how love survives even the loudest wars.

A War Film That Breathes Like a Memory

From its opening moments, Ikkis chooses patience over pomp. The film allows silence to speak, glances to linger, and emotions to settle before marching forward.

The nation is at war, yes—but the film is deeply invested in the people living through it.

The narrative unfolds in layers.

Poster Courtesy : Maddock Films

One layer places us in the middle of battle, alongside young Arun—played with striking sincerity by Agastya Nanda—as tanks roar and history tightens its grip. Another layer jumps three decades ahead, where an ageing father, portrayed by Dharmendra, carries the weight of pride and loss in equal measure. Between these timelines lie fragments of youth—training days, quiet romance, laughter, ambition, and the thrill of wearing the uniform for the first time.

It’s a structure that mirrors memory itself—imperfect, emotional, and deeply human.

Emotion Over Explosion, Soul Over Spectacle

Action in Ikkis is used with purpose. Every gunshot, every explosion serves the story—not the other way around. The sound design pulls you into the battlefield without overwhelming the emotion, while the background score and retro melodies feel like echoes from another time.

The dialogues avoid chest-thumping rhetoric. They are simple, honest, and quietly powerful—words spoken by people who know the cost of war.

This is not a film that glorifies conflict. It honours it. And more importantly, it mourns it.

Performances That Stay Long After the Credits Roll

Poster Courtesy : Maddock Films

Dharmendra, in what feels like a farewell gift to cinema, is nothing short of unforgettable. He doesn’t perform grief—he inhabits it. His eyes tell stories that dialogues don’t need to explain. In moments where he clutches a photograph, recites a Punjabi poem, or simply embraces another soldier, the theatre falls silent. These are the scenes that stay with you on the drive home.

Agastya Nanda, stepping into the shoes of a national hero for his debut, shows remarkable restraint and intensity. There’s a quiet fire in his performance—a boyish excitement when he first meets his tank, and steely resolve when duty calls. He doesn’t play Arun as a myth, but as a living, breathing young man who chose courage even when fear stood right in front of him.

Jaideep Ahlawat anchors the film with warmth and authority, while Simar Bhatia adds grace and emotional balance, even when the romantic arc could have been more deeply etched.

A Different Kind of Sriram Raghavan Film

Known for thrillers sharp as blades, Sriram Raghavan reveals a softer, more contemplative side here. Ikkis is reflective, elegant, and emotionally rich. His portrayal of war feels almost poetic—reminiscent of old Commando comics, yet grounded in reality.

Image Courtesy : Maddock Films

The film may slow down in parts, especially in the second half, but that’s also where it deepens. It dares to sit with emotion, to let pain breathe, and to remind us that real heroism is often quiet.

Why Ikkis Matters

At its heart, Ikkis asks a simple but profound question: What does it mean to be brave?

As Uri actor Vicky Kaushal aptly reflects, bravery isn’t measured by age. Legends don’t wait to grow old. Sometimes, they rise at 21—and become eternal.

Poster Courtesy : Maddock Films

By the time the final scene unfolds, tears come not because the film demands them, but because it earns them.

Final Verdict

Ikkis is not loud. It is not flashy. And that is precisely why it works.

It is a war film with a soul, a tribute wrapped in tenderness, and a reminder that courage, once given, never truly dies.
This New Year, don’t just watch a film. Witness a legacy.

Highly Recommended.

Released On : 1st January 2026

Rating :   4/5

Battle Of Galwan Teaser Out Now! Raw Frames, Powerful emotions. Most appealing teaser of the 2025 year-end!

The film is inspired by the India–China clash of 2020, and the teaser smartly keeps things focussed along with raw rage and a do-or-die battle. The film portrays real-life Indian Army Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu leading Indian troops in brutal hand-to-hand combat against intruding Chinese forces along the Line of Actual Control, where 20 soldiers lost their lives.

The Battle of Galwan, which was fought between 200 Indian soldiers who defended their LoC against 1200 Chinese soldiers, is a story of bravery and Indomitable spirit.

To begin with, the story itself is overwhelmingly powerful. In the Galwan Valley, the Indian Army’s Bihar Regiment fought the Chinese Army in brutal hand-to-hand combat, unarmed but defeating them in a one-on-one fight, and successfully guarded Indian territory against Chinese aggression.

The teaser opens with a terrific, patriotic background song by Himesh Reshammiya, then comes Salman Khan’s entry, standing calmly, holding a stick, waiting for the intruding Chinese troop. That moment felt incredibly jaw-dropping and gripping.

Salman Khan’s charismatic screen entry as the bloodied colonel in army exhaustion, encouraging and cheering his troop with spirited lines like ‘Jawaano yaad rahe… zakham dikhe to medal samajhna..aur maut dikhe toh salaam karna aur kehna – aaj nahi, fir kabhi.” is powerful, thrilling, and spectacular whistle-worthy.

As Indian Army Officer, Salman Khan returns in a brutal, without-limits character, back with a bang.
Salman Khan in an Indian Army uniform look is a different beast altogether. The uniform perfectly suits on him, but more than that, it’s the intensity in his eyes that tells the story with deep emotion. He isn’t playing a role — he is in character. Silent rage, controlled aggression, and emotional depth all packed into a few frames.

The Battle Of Galwan Teaser script keeps things focussed, balanced, and dignified.

No unnecessary exaggeration, no melodrama —just the pure emotion, the tension, and the real outcome.
The collaboration of Himesh Reshammiya’s powerful score with vocals by Stebin Ben & Salman Khan once again proves why this duo is lethal. The BGM and music uplift every frame —patriotic without being nonsense, intense without being awful.

The sound design alone adds massive weight to the teaser.

Exciting and intense, this one promises gritty, raw visuals that capture the harsh terrain and brutal realities of high-altitude combat.

Nothing is greater than the nation, the pride of our country, and the Indian Army.

Salman’s fans are really waiting for this movie and will be excited to see Salman act in a film like this after a long, long time in his career. After many years, Salman Khan finally shows a glimpse of his true, raw form, and this film can definitely mark Salman’s comeback with great box office collections.

Earlier, we would cheer a movie like this merely for its patriotism and ignore the clear underperformance and lack of effort.

Dhurandhar has massively upped our expectations from cinema.

Post Dhurandhar, Indian cinema is divided into two periods: Before Dhurandhar (BD) and After Dhurandhar (AD).

“Maut se kya darrna, usse toh aana hi hai” an inspiring line by Salman Khan conveys a real soldier’s spirit, a sentiment that hits straight in the heart.!!!

The Battle Of Galwan teaser truly stands out with pure content-driven influence, powerful visuals, and a realistic treatment that will mesmerize you!

As Salman Khan turns 60 with a bang! The teaser for ‘Battle of Galwan’ looks epic —a proud tribute to Col. Santosh Babu & our heroes.

Directed by Apoorva Lakhia with music by Himesh Reshammiya, it releases solo on April 17, 2026, his above line alone defines the spirit of a true soldier —fearless, disciplined, and larger-than-life valour.. Butterflies promised!

Have you seen the teaser? type your reactions in the comments! Amazing teaser!!

Today, Sunny Paaji tweeted on X @iamsunnydeol :

Awaaz kahan tak jaani chahiye… This #VijayDiwas, celebrate the most anticipated teaser of the year. #Border2 In Cinemas 23rd Jan 2026. Jai Hind.

Today, 16 December 1971, was a historic day for India, as India won the war with 93,000 Pakistani soldiers surrendering and the formation of a new country, Bangladesh. Now this historic day is celebrated as #vijaydiwas in India, and today on On this occasion, the much anticipated sequel to the blockbuster movie #border, #border2, has released a teaser of 2.05 minutes in duration.

This magnificent and interesting war epic teaser is based on the 1971 Indo-Pak war and is trending in social circles.

Today, the grand event was graced by the entire Border 2 team, including production and the star cast, comprised of leading actor Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, Ahan Shetty, producer J.P. Dutta, producer Bhushan Kumar, director Anurag Singh, story writer Nidhi Dutta, co-producer Shiv Chanana & others in front of the large media presence.

During the event, Sunny Paaji got emotional while delivering the powerful dialogue “Awaaz kahan tak jaani chahiye? Lahore tak.”

His eyes got teary, maybe due to him missing his He-Man father—the legendary Dharm Ji, who departed a week back.

Border 2 story line :

Border 2, the upcoming larger-than-life on-screen and interesting war epic full of action, legacy, and patriotism!

The movie is based on the 1971 Indo-Pak war starring macho man Sunny Paaji portraying Lt. Colonel Fateh Singh Kaler along with heartthrob star’s like Varun Dhawan portraying Major Hoshiar Singh Dahiya, Diljit Dosanjh portraying Fg Offr Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, and the newcomer star sensation Ahan Shetty portraying Lt Cdr Joseph Pius Alfred Noronha.

Border 2 also has a leading lady star cast like Mona Singh, Sonam Bajwa, Medha Rana, and Anya Singh to enhance the emotional and glamorous part.

Border 2, The story is based on the valour of our 1971 real Indian army heroes—sung or unsung—who planned and fought the devilish Pakistani army on 5 fronts.

With their brave killer fighting spirit, not only they defeated the Pak army in just 13 days but
humiliated them too, with their 93000 soldiers surrendering their pants down.

The Teaser :

The teaser is packed with mind-blowing scenes of lead actor Sunny Deol’s epic, fierce role along with Varun’s intense on-duty performance. Diljit’s airman avatar under air force command and Ahan’s courageous avatar as a navy man.

The teaser visuals of the Indian defence all three command—the army, the air force, and the navy’s synchronized coordinated valour against the enemy with in between emotional scenes of family connection.

The thrilling background score of the song ‘Hindustan Meri Jaan’ gives the goosebumps.

The Border 2 Production :

Sunny Deol on the sets of Border 2 in the rugged cantonment of Jhansi, alongside Varun Dhawan, Producer Bhushan Kumar, Nidhi Dutta, Co-producer Shiv Chanana, Binoy Gandhi, & Director Anurag Singh.

Nearly three decades after Border carved its place in Indian cinema’s archives, on June 13, 2024—exactly 27 years after the original blockbuster—Border 2 was officially announced. At the helm is director Anurag Singh, whose track record suggests a balance of scale and sensitivity.

Slated for a January 23, 2026 release, expect Border 2 to arrives with larger than life cinematic ambition— reinterpreting heroism for a generation that demands authenticity over spectacle.

Gulshan Kumar, T-Series & JP Films Present BORDER 2

Star Cast: Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, Ahan Shetty, Mona Singh, Sonam Bajwa, Anya Singh, Medha Rana and others
Directed By: Anurag Singh
Produced By: Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar
Produced By: JP Dutta, Nidhi Dutta
Co-Producer: Shiv Chanana
Co-Producer: Binnoy K Gandhi
Music Release: T-Series
Story Writer: Nidhi Dutta
Screenplay & Dialogues: Sumit Arora, Anurag Singh
DOP: Anshul Choubey
Production Design: Mayur Sharma
Supervising Producer: Siddhi Dutta
Executive Producer: Ashwini Kumar
Editor: Manish More
Costume Designer: Sheetal Sharma
Music Director: Anu Malik,
Singer: Mithoon, Vishal Mishra, Sachet-Parampara, Gurmoh
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar, Manoj Muntashir Shukla, Kumaar, Kausar Munir
Background Music: John Stewart Eduri
Sound Designer: Nihar Ranjan Samal
Teaser Mix & Master: Eric Pillai @ Future Sound of Bombay
Finance Head: Rachna Bhagat
Casting Director: Mukesh Chhabra, CSA
Action Director: Ravi Varma, Nick Powell, Parvez Shaikh, Allan Amin
Director Of Choreography: Raju Khan, Ganesh Acharya
Associate Director: Harshit Bhatia
1st Assistant Director: Sarvesh Shingre
Line Producer: Amit J. Chaudhary, Santosh Rai
Post Producer: Ankush Dhawan
Re-Recording Mixer: Debajit Changmai
Special Effects: VFX: Redefine, Labyrinth
VFX Supervisor: Vishal Anand, Soumen Das
VFX Creative Head (Labyrinth): Siddhartha Jayakar
DI: Prime Focus Ltd.
DI Colorist: Ashirwad Hadkar
Project Head (T-Series): Meghha Chheda
Music Head (T-Series): Shivam Chanana
Music Marketing Head (T-Series): Vivin Sachdeva
Film Marketing Lead (T-Series): Neel Mehta
Film PR Lead (T-Series): Rahul Dubey
Film Digital Marketing Lead (T-Series): Shahrukh Khan
Film Marketing & Promotions (T-Series): Mita Choudhary, Heett Savla
Music Team (T-Series): Raj Chanana, Sonal Chawla, Vivin Sachdeva
Music Marketing Team (T-Series): Sana Shaikh, Raisa Ghosh
Digital Team (T-Series): Varun Arora, Juhi Singh, Praveen Sharma
Publicity Design: Parass Kanani (House Of Awe)
Digital Marketing: White Rivers Media
Visual Promotions: Just Right Studioz NX