The upcoming war drama Ikkis is set to release on December 25, exactly one month after the passing of legendary actor Dharmendra. For director Sriram Raghavan, the film’s release will be emotional and bittersweet as he had the opportunity to show Dharmendra portions of the movie during dubbing
In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Sriram Raghavan expressed that Dharmendra’s death feels like a personal loss. He shared that the veteran star had seen the film during its dubbing stage and had performed brilliantly in every frame. Raghavan said that he wished Dharmendra could have watched the final cut with background score and effects but is grateful that the actor did not suffer in his last days
Dharmendra passed away on November 24, the same day the makers of Ikkis released his character poster. In the film, he plays Brigadier ML Khetarpal, father of 1971 war hero Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, portrayed by Agastya Nanda
Talking about directing Dharmendra again after 18 years since Johnny Gaddaar, Raghavan said that the veteran star remained just as charismatic and effortless in front of the camera. The shoot required travel across Chandigarh, Lucknow, Delhi and Pune and was physically demanding. Even when visibly tired, Dharmendra willingly continued shooting and delivered magical performances once the cameras rolled
Raghavan recalled his long-standing bond with the actor. After Johnny Gaddaar, they remained in touch and shared conversations about films and ideas. Dharmendra would often call him with story suggestions and hopes of collaborating again
The story of Ikkis reached Raghavan unexpectedly. After hearing it at producer Dinesh Vijan’s office, he immediately felt the emotional pull of the narrative. The moment he agreed to direct the film, he knew Dharmendra was the only choice for the role and narrated it to him as early as 2018. The actor instantly connected with the story and eagerly waited for the project to begin. The first day of shooting was filmed with Dharmendra, marking a meaningful start for the team
Ikkis, produced by Maddock Films and directed by Sriram Raghavan, is scheduled for release on December 25. The film will mark Dharmendra’s final appearance on the big screen, making it a deeply emotional experience for his fans and the film fraternity
