‘Ikkis Is Anti-War, Not Pro-Pakistan’: Jaideep Ahlawat’s On-Screen Wife Defends Agastya Nanda Starrer

Actor Ekavali Khanna has responded to the backlash surrounding Ikkis, dismissing allegations that the film glorifies Pakistan as “absurd” and stressing that its core is rooted in humanity, not politics.

Khanna, who plays Maryam in the film, believes the outrage overlooks what Ikkis is actually trying to say. Following the strong reactions the film received after its January 2026 release, she has firmly stood by its emotional and creative intent, describing it as a story about grief, loss, and the scars left behind by war.

Ekavali Khanna reacts to Ikkis controversy

In a conversation with Bollywood Hungama, Ekavali addressed the online criticism accusing Ikkis of portraying Pakistan in a positive light. “It’s a very personal thing. So I don’t think

that I hold that place to criticise people who are uncomfortable with it. But I can speak for myself,” she said.

Clarifying the film’s standpoint, she added, “It is an anti-war film. These days, we are so lost in this whole jargon of animosity, enemy camp, etc. This particular film reflects a lot beyond it.”

According to Khanna, the film operates on multiple emotional planes. “It is a moving story of a father and son. Also, it is a moving story even from the perspective of the Pakistani counterpart,” she explained.

Pushing back against the label attached to the film, Ekavali said, “This is a pro-humanity film. It is definitely not a pro-Pakistani film at any level.” Referring to the ultimate sacrifice of war hero Arun Khetarpal, she questioned the criticism directly: “Then how, on earth, can it be called a pro-Pakistani film?”

Ikkis vs Dhurandhar: Ekavali on creative choices

The debate around Ikkis intensified after the release of Dhurandhar, which arrived weeks earlier and was widely praised for its aggressive, hardline narrative. Addressing comparisons between the two films, Khanna called them unfair.

Recalling a conversation at an airport, she said, “Someone asked me which film I would choose to work on. I replied that I have already worked in Ikkis.” While acknowledging Dhurandhar director Aditya Dhar’s success, she added, “He tells convincing stories one after another. As an actor, of course, I’d love to work with him.”

However, her creative stance was clear. “But creatively and in terms of sensitivity, I’ll always choose Ikkis over Dhurandhar,” she said, noting that such comparisons often feel driven by headline-making rather than substance.

For Ekavali, the real victory lies elsewhere. “What makes me happy is that thanks to this film, more people are going to know the story of Arun Khetarpal,” she concluded.