Cast: Dharmendra, Jaideep Ahlawat, Agastya Nanda, Sikandar Kher, Vivaan Shah, Rahul Dev, Simar Bhatia. Special appearances: Asrani &...
Cast: Dharmendra, Jaideep Ahlawat, Agastya Nanda,
Sikandar Kher, Vivaan Shah, Rahul Dev, Simar Bhatia. Special appearances:
Asrani & Pran
Directed by: Sriram Raghavan
Director Sriram Raghavan treads into a new
territory, renouncing his noir thrillers, with Ikkis. Kudos to him for the way
he handles the armed forces and the way he makes the film with so much care
& respect. The film is emotional to the core and with excellent
performances and it is deftly handled by Raghavan. It’s not one of those Indo-Pak
films where border bashings come to the fore but is more about sentiments.
There are no heroes and no villains. That is the best part.
The film is based on the life of the young brave 21 year old Lt. Arun Khetarpal, who fought gallantly in the legendary Battle of Basantar. He joined the Armoured Corp in the highly decorated Poona Horse Regiment of the Indian Army where ‘Gurudev’ Hanut Singh was the first person to win the Paramvir Chakra. Arun was the youngest and second to win the gallantry award.
Brigadier Khetarpal travels to Pakistan for his school reunion and also
to seek a closure of his son’s death. He is welcomed by Pakistani Brigadier
Nissar who makes him his guest for the next three days. What unfolds is immense
pride and reconciliation and also grief too.
Dharmendra as Brigadier Khetarpal is the soul of
the film. His last screen appearance makes it all the more memorable. Jaideep
Ahlawat as Brigadier Nissar is simply superb if not outstanding. He is also the
emotional core of the film and beautifully underplays his role. Agastya Nanda
as Arun gives a fine and restrained performance making it easily his best till
date. Sikandar Kher as RIS Sagat Singh, Vivaan Shah as Mallu / Captain Vijendra
Malhotra and Rahul Dev as Commanding Officer Hanut Singh shine in their
respective roles. Simar Bhatia as Kiran Kochar, Arun’s love interest has a
sweet screen presence but has hardly any screen time. The late Asrani as Asghar
& Deepak Dobrial as Jahangir appear in contributory cameos. And yes,
don’t miss Pran. He comes in a voiceover on radio.
The film despite happening in two timelines is not
at all confusing. All thanks to the great storytelling by Raghavan. The battle
sequences look real and not once do they go overboard. The cinematography and
the recreation of tanks are breathtaking.
The film is for today’s young generation. They
should watch this and understand what went behind the battle of 1971.
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