Dinesh Vijan’s Maddock Films’ ‘Ikkis’ brings to the big screen the extraordinary true story of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal – India’s youngest Param Vir Chakra recipient, portrayed by Agastya Nanda. But beyond its epic scale, its sweeping wartime canvas, and its gripping storytelling, lies an emotional core shaped by one man: legendary actor Dharmendra. Lost forever to Bollywood on November 24, but immortalized sensitively by Vijan in ‘Ikkis’.

In a heartfelt moment, Dharamji gifts ‘Ikkis’ a moving poem, “Aj bhi ji karda hai, Pind apne nu jaanwa.” A single line that carries the weight of longing, the warmth of one’s roots, and the unbreakable bond a soldier shares with his home. Dharamji was no stranger to war films. His 1964 epic ‘Haqeeqat’ is considered one of India’s first major films in this genre.

Through his gentle, grounded artistry, Dharamji infuses ‘Ikkis’ with an old-world sincerity that cannot be recreated. A reminder of the soil we come from and the values that shape the heroes among us. The visuals of him with ‘mitti’ in his hands, the “son of the soil” in his truest form, create some of the most quietly powerful frames in the film.

In ‘Ikkis’, Dharamji's poetry forms the emotional spine - evoking an ache of nostalgia, the scent of earth, and the unwavering strength of duty that beats inside every soldier’s heart. His presence deepens the narrative, turning a war epic into an intimate reflection on courage, sacrifice, and belonging.