Ikkis Trailer Review: Sriram Raghavan Brings Arun Khetarpal’s Heroic Tale to Life with Power and Poise

Sriram Raghavan, the filmmaker celebrated for his tight grasp of thrillers such as Andhadhun and Johnny Gaddaar, makes a major departure into patriotic biographical storytelling with Ikkis — a film telling the true story of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal who was India’s youngest Param Vir Chakra winner. The trailer released by Maddock Films is both stirring and cinematic, giving us a brief emotional insight into the journey of a young soldier whose exceptional bravery transformed him into a legend.

Plot: The trailer depicts Arun Khetarpal’s journey from an idealistic cadet at the National Defence Academy to a tank commander with no fear during the 1971 Indo-Pak war. In the film, he is portrayed by Agastya Nanda, and his character travels back and forth between the innocence of youth and the innate perseverance of a warrior who is bent on defending his motherland. The narrative is told from the perspective of his father, Lt Col M. L. Khetarpal, played by Dharmendra, who attempts to reconcile the choices that his son made leading up to his last brave act. The plot captures the motifs of duty, sacrifice, and legacy, and the counterbalancing blend of emotionally intimate moments with large scale sequences of war.

Positive Aspects: Sriram Raghavan’s direction seems purposeful and invested emotionally, opting for highlighting human bravado rather than overt nationalism. The cinematography and production design visible in the trailer, suggest the grime and realism of war, and the background score intends to create an eerie mix of pride and tension. Agastya Nanda, in his first major role in theaters, seems to deliver a surprisingly assured performance which allows him to showcase both the vulnerability and bravery of Arun Khetarpal. Dharmendra’s presence adds emotional weight and Jaideep Ahlawat's sneak peeks insinuate sound supporting arrangements into the film. 

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Negative Aspects: While the trailer does well in terms of a certain tone and emotional outlay, the few war scenes we see appear very stylized, and therefore may undermine the raw authenticity one expects from a true war drama. The dialogues really pack a punch but may teeter into melodrama and the pacing may challenge the audience's expectation for a fast-moving narrative for those who want to reach the conflict.

Overall: Ikkis is likely to be a tribute to one of India’s bravest sons. Sriram Raghavan’s realistic storytelling, Agastya Nanda’s dedicated performance, and Maddock Films’ proper aesthetics navigate the balancing act between patriotism and humanity.