Genre: War film (true story)
Platform: Theatrical release
Time : 2 Hours 24 minutes
Director: Sriram Raghavan
Cast: Dharmendra. Agastya Nanda. Jaideep Ahlawat. Sikandar Kher.
Fact: 2nd Lt. Arun Khetrapal went thru NDA and joined the 17th Poona Horse Armored regiment . On December 16, 1971, he and two other Centurion tanks of the 17 Horse engaged multiple Pakistani Patton tanks. By the time the last Patton fired at his tank and destroyed it, killing him, he had accounted for 9 Pakistani tanks.
In 2001, his father Madan Lal Khetrapal was invited for an annual reunion of Government college, Lahore. His host was Brigadier Khwaja Ahmed Naser , in whose house Khetrapal senior stayed. After visiting his ancestral home in Sargodha, Naser took him for a walk and shared that it was his shell that hit and killed Arun’s tank. A stunned Khetrapal didn’t say anything but understood finally that this was a case on one soldier – an ‘enemy’ soldier – acknowledging the bravery of his opponent who died that day . Unbelievable as it is , that is the true story. For those interested they can refer to this link https://www.ndtv.com/opinion/it-was-a-bullet-from-my-tank-when-a-father-met-the-pak-soldier-who-killed-his-son-in-battle-9832002
Film: How do you make a film where the historical facts are already in front of you ? where you can’t mess with the facts ? especially the unbelievable meeting of the Indian and Pakistani soldiers ? How do you make a thread of these stories and present them cinematically ?
Simple – YOU HAVE TO SEE THE FILM to believe how well it has been done .
First and last – this is Sriram Raghavan, the master craftsman’s film thru and thru. There is not a single moment that is dull – barring the three or four songs which seem to have been deliberately thrust into the overall story to break the monotony. Take them away and the film will still be absorbing. The pacing is superb.
The film will not sit well with people who want only one type of onscreen representation . Already there are people baying that this is a pro-Pakistan film. Hardly . It shows soldiers and soldiering as it is and we can feel the kind of emotional roller coaster both the father and the son go through.
The son Arun wants so much to fight in the battle but being young and full of ‘josh’, he is marked by the Commander Hannut Singh aka Hunti who tells him “that he can use this josh but probably at the right time’. Finally he gets his chance to engage the enemy and he takes on 9 tanks and is martyred . this is shown in a matter of fact manner, without any of the screaming and ‘dialoguebaazi’ that is the rule than the exception in Indian war films.
In the present (2001) , Khetrapal senior is hosted respectfully by Brigadier Naser , taken around to his ancestral home in Sargodha and then finally taken to the battlefield where Nisar explains how the tactical action unfolded. Nisar’s commentary is intercut with the actual duel between the Centurions and the Pattons.
I don’t know how it was managed but the Centurion and Patton replicas are superb . Combined with the VFX we can barely make out the differences.
Some minute aspects of Army life are shown accurately . The two fresh 2nd Lt. are put under the charge of Risaldar Sagat Singh , who though of a ‘lower rank’ puts the two freshers through their paces and they learn the harsh facts of tank warfare – starting from camouflaging it to using its gun properly . The freshers are soon good at their job and this transformation is shown very well . The actual battle of Basantar, including the infantry action , the tank vs infantry and tank vs tank are all shown superbly . This is very painstaking research and the advice of the consultants shows up in these scenes.
The NDA scenes are superb. So too some of the tiny details of life in Pune such as Arun’s girlfriend Kiran sharing she bought a book from Manneys. This was THE bookshop in Pune which had a great collection of both general and military books, frequented by military officers . (Sadly the shop is closed forever ).
Dharmendra in his final performance brings a lump to the throat and moistened eyes as Khetrapal Senior who is happy to go back to his birthplace but soon confronts the facts told by Naser, superbly played by Jaideep Ahlawat. Which brings us to the pivotal role of Khetrapal played by Agastya Nanda. For once we have an actor who really looks the part as a fresh, somewhat wet-behind-the-ears officer who soon grows up under pressure. The innocence and the wonder of going to war followed by some moments of terror and then the final battle – all these are done well by Nanda ; here’s wishing him the best.
Last word : best seen in the theatre . Watch it there . can’t recommend this film enough , despite the cliché of “oh brothers why do we fight’
This is Sriram Raghavan’s film through and through. Salute to him.
Real History : 5 out of 5
Script – 5 out of 5
Story – 4 out of 5
Direction – 5 out of 5
Photography – 4 out of 5
VFX – 4 out of 5
Total – 4.5 out of 5
Seems pretty interesting… Sure will have to give it a watch. Some stories really give goosebumps.
So I randomly decided to watch this movie before your detailed review which I take it as a final verdict whether to see it or skip it but I’m so glad I did! I was like, “Okay, gotta sit through this with Paji,” but honestly, I was completely blown away by this masterpiece! I’m no writer, but I’m gonna say this – THIS MOVIE IS A MUST-SEE! Doesn’t matter how old you are, just go watch it!
Makes me want to see Ikkis. Finally an hindi movie I can see in the movie halls.
Hi Rammesh,
Watched the film yesterday, will go again this weekend. Re-read your above review, including the valuable link to the NDTV article.
A difficult film to watch, in the context of the story, the gruesome fate of soldiers on both sides, and of course, the many ‘catch your throat’ moments watching Dharmendra and almost eerily, his co-star from Sholay, here too in a very short cameo. If that does not bring a tear, then I don’t know what would, at least in a film.
In summary, a powerful, superbly crafted, credibly acted, heart-wrenching, emotional film. Disheartening to read in the TOI that early box-office returns are not promising.
Other random notes:
1
Thank you, director Raghavan! For the first time (in my experience at least), for a film of this nature: the complete credits are shown at the end, in a slow/readable roll, including the names/regiment/photos of the soldiers.
2
Also confirmed while watching the titles that there is one brief scene where a body-double for Dharmendra was used. (showing him in his own yearly youth)
3
Bobby Deol is also credited; I assume this was to provide support to his father during the filming.
4
The tank battles – easily on par with the best such scenes in any film? I would put them on level with Brad Pitt’s ‘Fury’
5
Kudos to the director for that few-seconds shot of Khetrapal Senior in his old room in Sarghoda, and the background song playing on a small TV ! (Perhaps Dharam himself came up with the suggestion?)
No spoilers here, but there is a world of nostalgia, and an entire real-life sub-story in that brief shot. And ironically, one which germinated in a region not that far from Sarghoda.
6
“Lahore” and other parts of Pakistan nicely CGI-ed into the film. Obviously, Indian Punjab makes for an easy substitute for this part of Pakistan.
7
The songs deserve a mention. Catch, energetic tunes, and a beautiful Arijit Singh melody.
Music by a relatively new entrant?
‘White Noise Collectives’, a brain child of @soulfulsachin @jigarsaraiya is a forward-thinking platform and artist management agency dedicated to amplifying unique talents in music. Rooted in creativity, collaboration, and sonic exploration, we provide a platform for emerging talent to thrive.”
8
Awards.. not sure of how the timing of release (January 2026) syncs with the awards season.. maybe too late for 2025? Does not much matter, but my ballot would go as follows, for Ikkis, for the ‘Best’ in these categories:
1 – Film
2 – Supporting Actor – Dharmendra… he must get this! last one, for the road
3 – Supporter Actor – if not him, Jaideep Ahlawat
4 – Direction – Sriram Raghavan
5 – Editing – Monisha Baldawa
6 – Background Score – Sachin-Jigar
7 – Adapted Screenplay
And lastly, Best Male Debut – Agastya Nanda.
(It will be interesting to see who gains traction in the industry first – Amitabh’s grandson or Shashi Kapoor’s grandson)… though those two are/were giants from another era.
Wait….forgot one more award:
BEST HAIR, (real, not a wig) for an 85+, still-handsome man!
—
Cheers,
Robin