Sriram Raghavan to direct Ikkis starring Dharmendra and Agastya Nanda

Maddock Films has announced their next film on the occasion of Dharmendra's 86th birthday. 

Ace filmmaker Sriram Raghavan, who last worked with Dharmendra in Johnny Gaddaar (2007), will again direct the veteran on Ikkis, a war-drama based on the life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal.

Arun Khetarpal was killed in action in the Battle of Basantar during the Indo-Pak of 1971. He was 21 years old. 

For his bravery, Arun was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, becoming the youngest recipient of the honour. 

Ikkis will star Agastya Nanda in the lead role alongside Dharmendra in an unrevealed part. The film will go on floors next year. 

Sriram Raghavan has also Merry Christmas starring Katrina Kaif and Vijay Sethupathi. He was earlier meant to direct his Badlapur star Varun Dhawan on Ikkis. However, Varun dropped out of the film owing to pandemic-induced delays. 

Agastya Nanda is making his film debut in Zoya Akhtar's The Archies. He is the maternal grandson of Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan. Dharmendra and Amitabh Bachchan were co-stars on iconic films like Sholay and Chupke Chupke.