Ikkis Review

War films usually make a promise: give the audience adrenaline early, keep the tempo high, and end with a heroic crescendo. Ikkis chooses a different route. It starts with strong character introductions and a quietly confident setup, then builds its emotional foundation before unleashing the kind of grounded, realistic combat that hits harder because you’ve lived with these characters first.

If you’re expecting nonstop action from the opening minutes, you may feel the pacing testing your patience. But if you’re open to a film that values realism, relationships, and the psychology of a cadet’s life, Ikkis holds you with steady, sincere storytelling—and rewards you big in the final act.

Quick Context (No Spoilers)

Ikkis is inspired by real events and follows the life and journey of a young cadet, balancing his formative days—training, friendship, romance, and pressure—with a parallel emotional thread involving his family, especially his grandfather and a truth that carries weight. The film essentially runs on two tracks: the cadet’s world and the family’s emotional backbone. Together, they keep the story grounded even when the war action arrives later than expected.

The Good: The “Paisa Vasool” Moments

A Strong Start With Clean Character Work

The film opens on a solid note, introducing its characters clearly and efficiently. There’s a sense of control in how the world is built—who matters, what the dynamics are, and why we should care. It’s the kind of setup that makes you feel the filmmakers know exactly where they’re taking you.

Dharmendra’s Presence Is Pure Cinema

One of the most striking highlights is Dharmendra’s screen time. The film doesn’t treat him like a decorative legend—it gives him meaningful presence, and it pays off emotionally. There’s a line from him—“Bada beta… ikkis ka hi rahega”—that lands with real force. It’s not just a punchy dialogue moment; it captures the film’s themes of duty, fate, and legacy in a single breath.

And yes, the final sight of Dharmendra on screen is genuinely eye-pleasing—one of those moments that feels like cinema paying respect to cinema.

Bobby Deol’s Transformation Works

Showing Bobby Deol as a younger Dharmendra through prosthetics could have gone wrong easily, but here it’s surprisingly on point. The look feels convincing, and importantly, it doesn’t distract from performance. It supports the character rather than becoming a gimmick.

Jaideep Ahlawat Delivers (As Usual)

Jaideep is excellent—no shock there. He brings weight and credibility to every scene he’s in, adding stability whenever the film shifts between tones or timelines.

Agastya Nanda Is a Pleasant Surprise

It’s genuinely good to see a newcomer like Agastya Nanda holding his own in a film based on real events. He captures the energy of a cadet’s life—the camaraderie, the teasing banter, the thrill of youth, and the seriousness beneath it. The film also smartly uses the cadets’ banter as a tool: it’s entertaining, perfectly crafted, and makes their bond feel lived-in.

The Love Story Adds a Soft Touch

The romantic track works like a pinch of sugar—light, sweet, and not overly dramatic. It brings warmth into the narrative, reminding you that these are young people with real lives beyond uniforms. The song “Bas tumse milne ki der thi” adds a soulful emotional lift without breaking the film’s grounded tone.

Music That Hits: The Urdu Ghazal Is Stunning

There’s an Urdu ghazal sequence that feels out of this world. It adds a lyrical stillness to an otherwise tense story, and it’s one of the film’s most memorable artistic choices.

War Craft That Feels Real, Not Cartoonish

The war action starts late, but the payoff is worth it because it avoids the “video-game” feel some war films slip into. The combat is realistic, tense, and immersive. The tank sequences are especially well-shot—claustrophobic from within and explosive from without. A standout is the inside-the-tank camera setup and an escape sequence involving Agastya that is staged with genuine thrill.

The Basant river attack is another high point—well-picturized, intense, and thoughtfully executed.

And the climax? The tank vs tank confrontation is the kind of sequence that stays with you—gritty, sharp, and emotionally charged.

The Bad: The “Kachra” Parts

The Pacing Will Divide Viewers

Here’s the honest issue: engagement may dip in the middle because the film spends a long time building the cadet world and family track before delivering the war spectacle many viewers came for. In war movies, audiences often expect action sooner, and Ikkis intentionally delays it. Some will appreciate the patience; others may feel restless.

Two Parallel Tracks: Sometimes Great, Sometimes Frustrating

The film running in two parts—cadet life and the grandfather’s truth—often works beautifully because it adds depth. But it occasionally creates a “just get to the war already” feeling, especially for viewers who are primarily here for combat sequences.

One Emotional Beat Feels Immature

There’s a breakup reason involving the protagonist and his girlfriend that comes across as a bit childish. In a film with heavy stakes, that particular conflict could have been written with more maturity.

Final Verdict

Ikkis is a sincere, well-crafted war drama that cares about realism and emotional weight. It isn’t a constant-action thrill ride—but when the war sequences arrive, they feel earned and impressively grounded. With strong performances (especially Dharmendra and Jaideep), a surprisingly confident showing by Agastya Nanda, and standout music moments (that Urdu ghazal!), the film holds its shape even when pacing wobbles.

⭐ Rating: 3.5/5

Watch it if: you enjoy character-driven war dramas, realistic combat, and stories inspired by real events.
Skip it if: you want nonstop action from the first 20 minutes and have low patience for slow-burn storytelling.