One of Bollywood's most iconic figures has passed away. The renowned actor Dharmendra, who was beloved by many as the first "He-Man" in the profession, died on Monday at the age of 89. His last film, Ikkis, releases in January, and is the last time we will ever see this legend on the big screen!
Ikkis cast
Jaideep Ahlawat, Sikander Kher, and Agastya Nanda—Amitabh Bachchan's grandson—are other prominent characters in Ikkis. Agastya Nanda plays the role of the youngest ever recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, in the film Ikkis. The heroic soldier's father, M. L. Khetarpal, played by Dharmendra, died in the 1971 Battle of Basantar. The young soldier was 21 years old.
Filmmaker Sriram Raghavan has a reputation for breaking new ground, and his unique combination of suspense, dark humour, and unexpected turns has helped to revolutionise the thriller genre. His riveting stories draw inspiration from classic noir. But this week, Sriram ventures into uncharted ground with the much-anticipated war drama Ikkis, which tells the story of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, who sacrificed himself at the age of 21 during the 1971 India-Pakistan war and became the youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra.
The towering legacy of Dharmendra
Few can equal Dharmendra's cinematic legacy, which he leaves behind after a career spanning over 60 years and over 300 films. His commanding presence on screen allowed him to move fluidly between romantic lead roles in timeless films like Phool Aur Patthar and Aaye Din Bahar Ke and thrilling action flicks like Dharam Veer and Hukumat.
His portrayal of the character Veeru in the 1975 film Sholay is still considered a masterpiece of Indian cinema. His magnetic personality, hilarious timing, and number one hits as Yamla Pagla Deewana won over audiences of all genders for decades. Dharmendra made his debut in 1960 with the film Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere, after being born on December 8, 1935, in Nasrali, Punjab. He went on to star in critically acclaimed films such as Anupama and the classic comedy Chupke Chupke. In 2012, he was bestowed the Padma Bhushan, an accolade bestowed in celebration of his tremendous impact on Indian cinema.
Prakash Kaur was Dharmendra's first wife, while Hema Malini was his second wife and a frequent co-star. Vijeta, Ajeeta, Esha, and Ahana are his daughters; he also has two sons, Sunny and Bobby Deol, who are actors. Playing the father of a national hero in his farewell film, Dharmendra gives audiences one more stirring performance before he retires from the big screen.
Ikkis movie- what to expect and context
Sriram helms this tale of bravery and selflessness, which stars Agastya Nanda as the young warrior and Dharmendra in his last performance as the character's father. According to producer Dinesh Vijan, who is known as "Dino" to those close to him, Sriram was the most enthusiastic 62-year-old filmmaker he had ever seen on the set of Ikkis. Vijan had previously supported Sriram's films Badlapur and Agent Vinod. To commemorate the lengths he went to convey a narrative he cared deeply about, Sriram plans to auction off the shoes he wore on set.
Both events take place in 1971, the year of the battle, and 2001, when Arun's father, who is 80 years old and had served in the Indian army during the British period, travels to Pakistan as part of a cultural exchange program initiated by then-prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to end the conflict that followed the Kargil War. This phase of dual-track diplomacy streamlined the process of obtaining visas. The senior Khetarpal, born in undivided India, accepted an invitation from his institution in Sargodha and returned to verify his residency status.
He learns of his son's bravery and what transpired on the battlefield on December 16, only two months after he turned 21, from a specific Pakistani army soldier he meets on that journey. Even as a young officer, Arun failed to finish his training. After a month of intense training, Arun quickly found himself at the centre of the action. As a result, the parallels between his life and his father's will provide for riveting viewing.