Star-studded Mumbai screening of Ikkis blends legacy, debut and farewell

Ahead of its theatrical release on January 1, 2026 , the makers of Ikkis held a special screening on December 23, 2025 , in Mumbai for the cast, their families and close associates. The evening unfolded as an emotionally charged gathering that blended celebration, remembrance and pride, as the film marks the big screen debut of Agastya Nanda and serves as a poignant farewell to legendary actor Dharmendra.

Among the early arrivals was Akshay Kumar , who attended the December 23 screening with his sister Alka Bhatia to support his niece Simar Bhatia , who makes her big screen debut with the film. Akshay appeared in high spirits as he posed for photographers alongside Alka, with the siblings sharing warm moments on the red carpet. Simar later joined them inside the venue for the screening.

The Bachchan family marked a strong presence at the event. Amitabh Bachchan , Abhishek Bachchan and Navya Naveli Nanda attended the screening to stand by Agastya Nanda , making the night especially significant as Ikkis marks the theatrical debut of Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan’s grandson. The atmosphere inside the theatre was described as deeply emotional, particularly during Agastya’s key scenes.

Following the screening, Amitabh Bachchan took to his blog and penned a heartfelt note, revisiting rare and deeply personal memories from Agastya’s birth to seeing him on the big screen. He wrote, “Emotions flow.. As do they tonight when you witness the grandson excel in IKKIS.” Recalling the night his daughter Shweta Bachchan was rushed to Breach Candy Hospital during labour, he reflected on holding Agastya just hours after his birth and even remembering discussions about whether his eyes were blue. He also fondly recalled moments from Agastya’s childhood, writing about the time “he fiddles with my beard,” and traced his growth leading to the decision to become an actor.

Praising Agastya’s performance as Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, Amitabh Bachchan described the young actor’s work as one of “unfiltered honesty.” He wrote, “When he is in the frame you only watch him.. and this is not a grandfather speaking, this is a hardened viewer of cinema.” He further hailed the film, calling it flawless in its presentation, writing and direction, and concluded by saying the screening ended with “the eyes filled with tears of joy and pride.. unable to speak out.. In silence.”

The screening carried added poignancy as Ikkis features Dharmendra in what has now become his posthumous screen appearance. The legendary actor passed away on November 24 in Mumbai, weeks before the film’s release, leaving his family, fans and the film fraternity deeply affected. His absence has added emotional weight to the film, turning it into a heartfelt farewell to the icon.

Director Sriram Raghavan , speaking about Dharmendra’s association with the film, revealed that the veteran actor never got the chance to watch Ikkis in its completed form or witness the appreciation his performance would have received. He said, “I met him in October. That time he was okay, but he was not too well. He did watch the first half and waited for the second half. I wanted him to see the film in its entirety. Somehow, that couldn’t happen. He is not here to enjoy the work he had done, and people appreciate that. That is a regret we have.”

Raghavan also recalled Dharmendra’s old school approach to acting, sharing, “He’s old school. He would write his dialogues in Urdu. And he would also write the core actor’s dialogues. He was extremely well-prepared.”

Producer Dinesh Vijan spoke about the emotional impact the film has had on Dharmendra’s family, revealing that they are yet to watch Ikkis . He said, “I think they’ll only cry. I just wish our kids could love us as much as they love him. It was heartbreaking to see them. But it was also beautiful. Because that’s how you should love your father.”

The December 23 screening followed the release of the film’s latest trailer, which showcases gripping battlefield sequences from the 1971 Indo Pakistan war. A standout moment shows Dharmendra’s character reflecting on Arun’s legacy, saying he will “always be 21,” a line that has strongly resonated with audiences. Agastya Nanda , who portrays Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal and plays Dharmendra’s on screen son, was earlier seen getting emotional during the film’s music launch. Speaking to the media, he described the experience as “very emotional” and called sharing screen space with the late icon a “huge privilege.”

Directed by Sriram Raghavan and produced by Dinesh Vijan , Ikkis is a war biopic based on the life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, India’s youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, who was martyred at the age of 21 during the Battle of Basantar. The film also stars Jaideep Ahlawat , Suhasini Mulay , Sikander Kher and Rahul Dev in key roles.

Originally scheduled for a December 25 release, Ikkis will now be released in theatres worldwide on January 1, 2026 , standing as both a tribute to a fallen war hero and an emotional cinematic farewell to Dharmendra’s enduring legacy.