- By Sidhi Agarwall
- Tue, 23 Dec 2025 11:43 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Ikkis Review: Veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan has shared an emotional and heartfelt review of his grandson Agastya Nanda’s upcoming film Ikkis. After attending a special screening ahead of the film’s theatrical release, the megastar admitted that he was deeply moved and could not take his eyes off Agastya whenever he appeared on screen. Directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Sriram Raghavan, Ikkis is a biographical war drama based on the life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, India’s youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra. The film focuses on his bravery during the Battle of Basantar in the 1971 India–Pakistan War. The title Ikkis refers to the age at which Khetarpal was martyred.
Early Tuesday morning, Amitabh Bachchan took to his blog to pen a deeply emotional note after watching Ikkis. Recalling Agastya’s journey from birth to becoming an actor, he wrote, “Emotions flow ..As do they tonight when you witness the grandson excel in IKKIS .. the time when his Mother, Shweta is being rushed to Breach Candy Hospital as she encounters final labour pains .. his birth .. holding him barely a few hours later, and discussing whether his eyes were blue .. to the time when he grew a bit and holding him in my arms, and he fiddles with my beard .. to his growth .. to the final personal decision of his to be an actor , and tonight to see him in frame, unable to take my eyes off each time he fills the frames of the film.”
Praising Agastya’s screen presence and restraint, Amitabh Bachchan highlighted the maturity of his performance. He wrote, “His maturity, his unfiltered honesty in his performance, his presence justifying the character he portrays .. nothing frith or froth , just the Arun Khetarpal soldier , who fought in his bravery as the 21 year old , defending the nation during the India -Pak war of 1971 .. nothing excessive , just the perfection in every shot .. when he is in the frame you only watch him .. and this is not a grandfather speaking, this is a hardened viewer of cinema.” Concluding his review, Amitabh Bachchan praised the film’s writing and direction, while admitting that the ending left him emotional. He wrote, “And the film flawless in its presentation .. its writing .. its Direction ..And when it ends .. the eyes filled with tears of joy and pride .. unable to speak out ..In silence ..The silence that belongs to me .. my understanding .. no other ..Love.”
About Ikkis
The film is scheduled to release in cinemas on January 1, 2026. Apart from Agastya Nanda, it also marks the debut of Simar Bhatia, niece of Akshay Kumar, and features an ensemble cast including Dharmendra (in a posthumous appearance), Jaideep Ahlawat, Sikandar Kher, Suhasini Mulay and Vivaan Shah, among others. Produced by Dinesh Vijan’s Maddock Films, Ikkis promises a powerful and respectful tribute to a national hero. With Sriram Raghavan’s direction and Agastya Nanda’s intense portrayal, the film is already generating strong buzz ahead of its New Year 2026 release.