Bollywood icon Dharmendra’s last film role will be in the posthumous release of Ikkis, featuring Agastya Nanda. In this Sriram Raghavan-directed project, Dharmendra takes on the role of Brigadier ML Khetarpal, the father of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, a hero of the 1971 war. The director has shared heartfelt memories about collaborating with the legendary actor.
Sriram Raghavan reflected on his collaboration with Dharmendra, praising his dedication to the craft of filmmaking. He shared that Dharmendra had a deep affection for the camera, and the camera reciprocated that affection. The director mentioned that while he was a bit older, he remained as vibrant as ever.
The Demanding Shoot Schedule
The director emphasized that the filming schedule for Ikkis was demanding, yet Dharmendra poured his heart into the project despite his fatigue. Sriram revealed that the shoot was somewhat taxing, and at times their schedules were quite grueling. The legendary actor would get weary during these long hours.
Sriram recalled telling him that they had one more shot in a scene, and Dharmendra would respond by asking him to proceed. The director was aware he was exhausted, but the veteran actor would say let’s do it. When the cameras started rolling, he was pure magic. He was extraordinary in every frame.
A Previous Collaboration
Sriram, who had previously collaborated with Dharmendra on Johnny Gaddaar, disclosed that the late actor had viewed Ikkis during the dubbing process. The director described the loss of the Sholay star as a deeply personal sorrow. He expressed that he is truly glad Dharmendra participated in the film and delivered an outstanding performance.
The director mentioned that Dharmendra had seen the film during dubbing, but he would have preferred him to experience it with all the background music, sound effects, and everything else. This would have made the viewing experience complete for the legendary actor.
When Is Ikkis Releasing
Ikkis is particularly significant for film enthusiasts as it will represent Dharmendra’s last appearance on the big screen. Produced by Maddock Films, the film is set to be released in theatres on December 25. This coincides with the release of Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday’s Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri.
Dharmendra passed away on November 24, leaving behind an unparalleled legacy. The prominent figures of Bollywood gathered to pay their final tributes to the icon. His contribution to Indian cinema will always be remembered.
About Ikkis
Ikkis is an upcoming war drama directed by Sriram Raghavan and starring Agastya Nanda and Dharmendra. The film is based on the story of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, a hero of the 1971 war. Produced by Maddock Films, it releases in theatres on December 25, 2025.
(Also read: Apne 2 Cancelled After Dharmendra’s Demise Confirms Anil Sharma: “Without Dharamji It’s Impossible To Make The Sequel” )
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