Karan Johar is in love with Dharmendra’s last film Ikkis. Sriram Raghavan’s war drama Ikkis, marking Dharmendra’s final on-screen appearance and Agastya Nanda’s second film, continues to receive praise from both audiences and industry insiders. Filmmaker Karan Johar recently shared his emotional response to the film, calling it a deeply moving cinematic experience.
On Monday, Karan Johar took to Instagram to pen a heartfelt note about Ikkis. Known for openly supporting films he admires, Johar described the movie as “a love letter to peace” and applauded its honest portrayal of the futility of war.
“IKKIS is a love letter to peace… an honestly and earnestly told story about the absolute redundancy of war. I was so moved by so many moments of the film… it silently screams…” Karan Johar wrote, praising director Sriram Raghavan’s sensitive approach to storytelling.
Expressing his emotional reaction to Dharmendra’s performance, Johar added, “I was moist-eyed every time Dharmji was on screen. He has the most towering screen presence and yet can be so gentle. Your heart goes out to his immensely dignified portrayal of a grieving father.” He also lauded Jaideep Ahlawat, calling him “an outstanding force of nature” and “rock solid” in the film.
Johar further applauded the younger cast, especially Agastya Nanda, who plays Param Vir Chakra awardee Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal. “Agastya Nanda is outstanding as the 21-year-old Arun Khetarpal. His endearing innocence, silent resolve, and powerful climax prove his mettle as an artist. I was so proud and excited to see him emerge as such a sincere and solid actor,” he wrote, adding that he looks forward to Agastya’s journey in cinema.
Welcoming Simar Bhatia to the film industry, Johar praised her confidence and screen presence, and also commended Maddock Films and producer Dinesh Vijan for backing such a brave and unconventional war film. Urging audiences to watch the movie, he concluded, “Please go watch this gem of a true story.”
Ikkis narrates the inspiring story of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, focusing on the Battle of Basantar during the 1971 India–Pakistan War. The title refers to the age at which Arun Khetarpal attained martyrdom, making the film both emotionally resonant and historically significant.
Film critic Saibal Chatterjee also praised Ikkis, stating that it is not a “command movie” but a powerful statement on meaningful filmmaking. He noted that while it may not achieve the box office numbers of Dhurandhar, the film reassures audiences that Hindi cinema still has filmmakers willing to tell honest and courageous stories. “Ikkis isn’t your average Hindi war film,” he remarked.