What is a war film? Today, the ‘war film’ genre is complicated by definition, understanding and biases that back it. “A war film is a movie genre depicting armed conflicts, focusing on battles, soldiers' experiences, and the dramatic, emotional, or political impacts of war, often featuring historical events like WW1/WW2 or fictionalized struggles, highlighting heroism, sacrifice, and the harsh realities of combat, ranging from epic battles to anti-war critiques” go one definition. Ikkis directed by Sriram Raghavan, who, till now, has honed his directorial skills in the thriller genre as perhaps, the most consistently brilliant maker of thrillers in Bollywood cinema, took upon himself the challenge of shaping a biographical tribute to Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, the youngest ever winner of the Paramvir Chakra, posthumously awarded, in Indian history, martyred during the battle of Basantar. Ikkis was stated to be a celluloid tribute to his martyrdom when he was 21. So, the title Ikkis or 21.

But Ikkis transcends all accepted definitions of a bio-tribute. It is a tribute but it is much, much more. It is an anti-war film shot against the backdrop-based content of the real war fought in 1971 between India and Pakistan which led to the formation of Bangladesh as an independent country. It is a journey film blended into nostalgia of an old, tired and mourning father, (Retd) Brigadier Madanlal Khetarpal (Dharmendra) who defines the very backbone of the entire film even if Agastya Nanda plays Arun Khetarpal.

The film travels back and forth between 1971 and 2001. While 1971 takes us back to the 1971 war that finally led to the defeat of Pakistan and the birth of Bangladesh, it also tells us the story of Arun Khetarpal’s growth as a totally focused young Indian soldier determined to bring back the Paramvir Chakra home.

But it is 2001 which shows the terrible emotional........

© Mathrubhumi English