When Sriram Raghavan makes a film, expectations naturally run high. After all, this is the director behind cult thrillers like Johnny Gaddar, Ek Haseena Thi, Andhadhun, and Merry Christmas.
So when his war drama Ikkis didn’t draw the kind of theatrical response many anticipated, even the filmmaker admitted he was surprised.
Speaking on the sidelines of a Screenwriters Association (SWA) event, Raghavan confessed he was “quite baffled” by the audience reaction after the film’s release. Now, with Ikkis streaming on Prime Video, he hopes the story will find its viewers at the click of a button.
A War Film Built on Emotion, Not Spectacle
Unlike loud, large-scale battlefield dramas, Ikkis was conceived as something more intimate.
Raghavan has said he drew inspiration from classic international war films such as Ballad of a Soldier, Flags of Our Fathers, The Cranes Are Flying, and Battle of the Bulge. The idea wasn’t to glorify war but to explore the human cost behind it.
At its core, the film tells the story of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, portrayed by Agastya Nanda, who was martyred at just 21 during the Battle of Basantar in the 1971 Indo-Pak war. But for Raghavan, the narrative wasn’t complete with just the battlefield.
Two Stories, One Emotional Arc
The director revealed that what truly drew him to Ikkis was its dual narrative structure.
The film unfolds across two timelines — one tracing Arun’s journey as a young recruit heading into war, and the other following his elderly father, played by Dharmendra, who travels to Pakistan decades later to understand the circumstances of his son’s final day.
Raghavan admitted that had it been only a single-track story of a young soldier, he might not have known how to shape its emotional arc. It was the interplay between the father’s search and the son’s sacrifice that made the story feel whole to him.
That emotional layering became the backbone of the film.
Critical Praise, Modest Box Office
Released on January 1, Ikkis earned positive reviews for its restrained storytelling and peace-oriented narrative. Critics appreciated its focus on human emotion rather than chest-thumping nationalism.
However, despite the strong word-of-mouth in certain circles, the film struggled to draw large crowds to theatres.
For a director who is often associated with tight thrillers and twist-driven storytelling, this marked a departure — Ikkis was his first full-fledged war drama.
A Second Life on OTT?
Now streaming on Prime Video, the film may find a wider audience. War dramas often perform differently in theatres versus digital platforms, especially when they lean toward introspection rather than spectacle.
With Agastya Nanda stepping into the shoes of a real-life war hero and veteran actors like Dharmendra and Jaideep Ahlawat lending gravitas, the film carries emotional weight that may resonate more strongly in a quieter, at-home viewing experience.
Final Words
Not every film reveals its impact on opening weekend. Some need time — and the right platform — to connect.
For Sriram Raghavan, Ikkis was clearly a personal project shaped by emotion and layered storytelling. Whether audiences revisit it on OTT and see it differently remains to be seen.
But one thing is certain — this isn’t a war film chasing noise. It’s one seeking reflection.
