If you missed Sriram Raghavan’s ambitious and deeply moving war biopic Ikkis during its theatrical run earlier this year, your wait is officially over. As of today, February 26, 2026, the film has dropped its ₹349 pay-per-view rental barrier and is now streaming free for all Amazon Prime Video subscribers in India and across 200+ countries.
While the film struggled to set the box office on fire upon its New Year’s Day release, it garnered massive critical acclaim for its restrained, deeply human approach to warfare. However, its digital premiere arrives right in the middle of a brewing controversy involving the director and the film’s producers.
From the extraordinary true story that inspired the film to the bittersweet final on-screen appearance of a Bollywood legend, here is your complete guide to everything you need to know about Ikkis.
The Plot: The Immortal Legacy of a 21-Year-Old
Stepping away from his signature dark, twisted thrillers (Andhadhun, Badlapur), director Sriram Raghavan tackles a straight-laced, emotional biographical drama.
- The True Story: Ikkis chronicles the brief but incredibly heroic life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal.
- The Ultimate Sacrifice: During the Battle of Basantar in the 1971 Indo-Pak War, Khetarpal fought valiantly against enemy tanks. Even after his own tank was critically hit and caught fire, the 21-year-old officer refused to abandon his post, continuing to fight until he was martyred.
- The Honor: For his unparalleled courage, he was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, making him the youngest recipient of India’s highest military decoration at the time. Agastya Nanda (grandson of Amitabh Bachchan) steps into the shoes of the young hero for his major theatrical debut.
An Emotional Farewell to Dharmendra
One of the most poignant reasons to watch Ikkis is its historical significance for Indian cinema. This film marks the final on-screen performance of the legendary actor Dharmendra, who sadly passed away in November 2025.
In the film, Dharmendra plays Arun’s father, Brigadier M.L. Khetarpal (Retd.). The narrative beautifully balances Arun’s battlefield heroics with his father’s emotional journey decades later when he visits Pakistan and meets the very brigadier (played brilliantly by Jaideep Ahlawat) who fought against his son. Critics and audiences alike have praised Dharmendra’s quiet, dignified performance as a profoundly moving swansong to his illustrious career.
The Box Office Verdict vs. Critical Acclaim
Despite the high production value by Dinesh Vijan’s Maddock Films (made on an estimated budget of ₹60 crore), Ikkis emerged as a commercial disappointment.
- The Numbers: The film managed to gross roughly ₹42 to ₹45 crore worldwide during its theatrical run.
- The Reception: While it didn’t pull massive crowds, reviewers heavily praised the film for avoiding loud, jingoistic tropes, choosing instead to focus on the emotional scars of war and the mutual respect between rival soldiers. Prime Video hopes this wider, free digital release will help the film find the massive audience it deserves.
The “Disclaimer” Controversy: Sriram Raghavan Speaks Out
Just as the film transitions to OTT, it has sparked headlines for a completely different reason. Following the final visual of the film, a sudden on-screen disclaimer appears, stating that the humane behavior of the Pakistani Brigadier depicted in the movie is merely an “exceptional incident” and that the neighboring country is “not at all trustworthy.”
In a recent interview with The Wire, director Sriram Raghavan surprisingly admitted that he was entirely against the inclusion of this message.
- The Pushback: Raghavan revealed, “He [Dinesh Vijan] is a superb guy — he let me make this film and really supported me. But the disclaimer was not something I was personally happy with.” * Creative Control: He compared the situation to his 2015 film Badlapur, where the producers forced an upbeat promotional song (Jee Karda) at the end of the movie, completely ruining the dark, lingering mood he had built. Raghavan noted that while he had creative freedom for most of Ikkis, the political disclaimer was a studio mandate out of his control.
The Verdict: A Must-Watch Weekend Stream
Controversies and box office numbers aside, Ikkis stands as a remarkably well-crafted tribute to one of India’s greatest real-life heroes. Anchored by a sincere performance from Agastya Nanda, scene-stealing work from Jaideep Ahlawat, and the legendary presence of Dharmendra, it is the perfect film to add to your weekend watchlist.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Where can I watch the movie Ikkis? Ikkis is now officially streaming on Amazon Prime Video. As of February 26, 2026, the rental fee has been removed, and it is free to watch for all Prime subscribers.
2. Is the movie Ikkis based on a true story? Yes. The film is a biographical war drama based on the life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, who was martyred during the 1971 India-Pakistan war at the age of 21.
3. Who is the director of Ikkis? The film is directed and co-written by National Award-winning filmmaker Sriram Raghavan, known for acclaimed movies like Andhadhun, Badlapur, and Merry Christmas.
4. Is Ikkis Dharmendra’s last movie? Yes. The veteran actor, who passed away in November 2025, made his final on-screen appearance in Ikkis, playing the role of Arun Khetarpal’s father.
5. Why is Sriram Raghavan upset about the film’s disclaimer? The director recently revealed he was unhappy with a studio-mandated post-credits disclaimer that labeled Pakistan as “not trustworthy.” Raghavan felt it was unnecessary and disrupted the nuanced, anti-war sentiment of the film he had crafted.
