On December 16, Vijay Diwas, the makers and team behind the upcoming film Ikkis paid tribute to the martyrs of the nation. In the Sriram Raghavan war film, Agastya Nanda is set to portray India's youngest
Param Vir Chakra recipient, Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal. Agastya's grandfather Amitabh Bachchan, uncle Abhishek Bachchan, and sister Navya Nanda all lauded the sacrifices by the war hero and commended the young actor for his dedication to the role.
Abhishek Bachchan praises Agastya Nanda's dedication in Ikkis
On Instagram, Abhishek and Amitabh Bachchan both shared the new
Ikkis poster for Vijay Diwas featuring Agastya. The poster stated, "This Vijay Diwas the nation comes first." Additionally, Abhishek wrote a note for Agastya on his Stories, "Agastya, this is a huge honour and responsibility. A huge hero of our nation. I am sure you have given him the respect, valour, and dignity he truly deserves. You are an immensely sincere actor, and your dedication to portraying Arun Ji is so commendable. May God and the audience bless you."
Abhishek also shared a photo of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, who was martyred in the India–Pakistan war of 1971 at the age of 21, hence the film title.
Ikkis will also become the late veteran actor Dharmendra's last film. He plays Agastya's father in the biopic.
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Nayva Nanda also honours Arun Khetarpal's legacy
Agastya's sister Navya Nanda paid tribute to the memory of late war hero Arun Khetarpal. Sharing a photo of Agastya in the uniform in front of the memorial for the Param Vir Chakra awardee, she wrote on Instagram, "This Vijay Diwas we remember & honour India’s hero, 2nd Lt. Arun Khetarpal - at 21 he did what most cannot do in a lifetime, reminding us that you are never too young to change the world! Arun didn’t just defend our nation; he left behind an example for every young Indian to rise and stand for something bigger."
Navya added, "Today his legacy and story reaches a new generation of Indians, reminding us that the future of India is brave, bold & unstoppable! This Vijay Diwas we remember & honour India’s hero, 2nd Lt. Arun Khetarpal - at 21 he did what most cannot do in a lifetime, reminding us that you are never too young to change the world!"Sriram Raghavan's war film
Ikkis is releasing on December 25, 2025. The biopic also stars Jaideep Ahlawat, Simar Bhatia, Deepak Dobriyal, Vivaan Shah, Sikandar Kher, and Rahul Dev.