Sriram Raghavan’s biographical drama Ikkis, which hit the theatres in India today, is special in more ways than one. Not only is the film based on the story of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, who was the youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, it is also the last film featuring Bollywood legend Dharmendra, who passed away on November 24.
Ikkis, Raghavan’s next venture after Merry Christmas, has Agastya Nanda playing the 21-year-old Khetarpal and is helmed by Maddock Films of Thamma, Stree, Stree 2, Bhediya and Sky Force fame. Varun Dhawan was originally set to play Khetarpal in the film when the film was announced in 2019, but the delay due to Covid-19 pandemic forced the change eventually. Ikkis is Nanda’s second film, having debuted with The Archies in 2023.
The film is based on the young Indian Army officer’s actions during the Battle of Basantar in the 1971 Indo-Pak war, and follows the events that put a recently commissioned tank commander at the heart of a crucial battle that would have a lasting impact on the country’s military history.
‘Ikkis’ true story: Who was Arun Khetarpal?
Khetarpal was born in Pune on October 14, 1950, into a family with a rich tradition of military service. His father was a Brigadier in the Indian Army (played by Dharmendra in the film), and his family's legacy of serving the nation reportedly stretched back to his grandfather, who fought in World War I.
Khetarpal studied at St. Columba's School in Delhi and The Lawrence School in Sanawar before joining the National Defence Academy (NDA) in 1967 (38th Course, Foxtrot Squadron). After the NDA, he continued his training at the Indian Military Academy (IMA).
On June 13, 1971, Khetarpal was officially commissioned as an officer in the 17 Poona Horse regiment. He had been in the army for just six months when the Indo-Pak War of 1971 began. At the time, he was attending a training course but was immediately called to join his unit on the front lines in the Shakargarh sector.
On December 16, 1971, the 17 Poona Horse was tasked with securing a crossing over the Basantar River. However, they faced a powerful counter-attack from Pakistan's Patton tanks.
Commanding his Centurion tank named Famagusta, Khetarpal voluntarily moved to support the 'B' Squadron and attacked enemy posts. In the fierce tank battle, he destroyed four enemy tanks. His own tank was hit and burst into flames, and he was severely wounded. When ordered by his superior to abandon the burning tank, he famously replied over the radio: "No Sir, I will not abandon my tank. My main gun is still working and I will get these b*****ds."
He continued to fire, destroying another enemy tank at point-blank range before his tank was hit a second time. He was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra. His tank, Famagusta, is preserved at the Armoured Corps Centre and School in Ahmednagar.