Ikkis out on OTT: Here's where you can stream Dharmendra and Agastya Nanda's war biopic

Sriram Raghavan’s Ikkis starring Agastya Nanda, is now streaming on Prime Video. The 1971 war biopic features Dharmendra’s final role and faced minor controversy over a production-led disclaimer.

Ikkis poster

Today, February 26, 2026, Sriram Raghavan's biographical war drama Ikkis formally moved into its OTT release. The film was released in theatres on January 1, 2026, marking the widely awaited big-screen debut of Agastya Nanda. After being available only as a rental on the Prime Video Store for several weeks, the film is now available for all Amazon Prime subscribers to stream for free. The film's controlled storytelling and technical perfection earned it mostly excellent reviews from critics, but it had to contend with a competitive box office and ended its theatrical run with estimated global earnings of about ₹42 crore.

How did Ikkis transition from rental to free streaming?

Ikkis debuted on Amazon Prime Video on February 12, 2026, following the usual industry timeframe, but it was initially available for a rental cost of ₹349. The pay-per-view restriction was lifted at midnight on February 26, allowing all subscribers to enjoy the film.

Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra for his bravery during the 1971 Indo-Pak War's Battle of Basantar, is the film's protagonist. Ikkis has a dual-narrative format, which sets it apart from conventional war biopics that focus on the battlefield alone. From Arun's (Nanda) early days of training in Ahmednagar to the intense tank battles of the Basantar river region, the 1971 timeline chronicles the life of a young soldier.

ALSO READ: Ikkis review: Sriram Raghavan delivers profound anti-war film that chooses empathy over jingoism

What happens in Ikkis' 2001 timeline?

In 2001, 30 years after Arun's death, Brigadier M.L. Khetarpal (Dharmendra) pays a visit to Pakistan. While on this journey, he meets the Pakistani officer who confesses to being the one who shot Arun's tank to death, Brigadier Jaan Mohammad Nisar (Jaideep Ahlawat).

The veteran actor Dharmendra, who portrays the devastated yet dignified father of the slain soldier, makes his final on-screen appearance in the film. Bobby Deol, Dharmendra's son, voiced the younger version of the character in flashback sequences so that the voice could remain consistent because his father had health problems during post-production.

How did the production achieve such high realism?

The production team notably rebuilt three Centurion tanks from the ground up to guarantee historical realism in the battle sequences, while Nanda endured intense military training to play the role of the tank commander. Rahul Dev plays Lt Col Hanut Singh, Jaideep Ahlawat plays the Pakistani counterpart, and Simar Bhatia plays Kiran Kochhar in the supporting cast.

Despite the positive reviews, one disclaimer in the film's final titles caused some controversy. "Not at all trustworthy" is the description of the neighbouring country, whereas the film's kind Pakistani officer is defined as an "exceptional case" in the narrative.

How does Sriram Raghavan feel about the production's creative choices?

Raghavan recently voiced his displeasure with the disclaimer in interviews preceding the OTT release, implying that it was a choice made at the production level. His previous experience with the 2015 film Badlapur—in which a music video was included against his creative will—serves as a reminder that, despite his gratitude for producer Dinesh Vijan's backing, there are some "givens" in the industry over which a director has no complete say.

Ikkis was produced by Maddock Films and features cinematography by Anil Mehta in addition to a score by Sachin-Jigar.

Ikkis FAQs:

Q: Where can I watch the Ikkis movie?

A: Ikkis is exclusively available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video from today, February 26, 2026. Following its theatrical run and a brief period as a rental title on the Prime Video Store, it is now accessible to all Prime subscribers at no extra cost.

Q: Is Ikkis based on a true story?

A: Yes, Ikkis is a biographical war drama based on the life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, PVC. It focuses on his heroism during the Battle of Basantar in the 1971 Indo-Pak War, where he became the youngest recipient of India's highest military decoration.

Q: Who is the lead actor in Ikkis?

A: Ikkis marks the theatrical debut of Agastya Nanda (grandson of Amitabh Bachchan), who plays the role of Arun Khetarpal. The movie also features veteran actor Dharmendra as Arun’s father and Jaideep Ahlawat as a Pakistani Brigadier.

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