Ikkis choreographer lauds Dharmendra’s dedication for shooting till 4 AM, calls him ‘vibrant and full of life’
Ikkis choreographer Vijay Ganguly opened up on scenes with Dharmendra, where he praised his dedication for staying up till morning to shoot the song. Ikkis marks Dharmendra's last on-screen role.
Last Updated: 02.42 PM, Dec 20, 2025
Sreeram Raghavan’s Ikkis marks the last on-screen appearance of Dharmendra. Based on the extraordinary life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, Ikkis is an upcoming biopic that is among the most-awaited films. In a recent conversation, Ikkis song choreographer lauded Dharmendra’s dedication for being awake till early for the song's completion. He also remembered an anecdote about his father and Dharmendra, which proved the latter's humble personality.
Ikkis choreographer shares BTS featuring Dharmendra
Late actor Dharmendra was among the legendary stars of Indian cinema. From blockbuster films to his humble personality, the veteran star’s demise created a shock wave in the film fraternity and among fans. Recently, Ikkis choreographer Vijay Ganguly opened up on scenes with Dharmendra, where he praised his dedication for staying up till morning to shoot the song. In an interview with MidDay, Vijay Ganguly, who choreographed the Ikkis song, shared his mesmerizing experience with Dharmendra. "Shooting with Dharmendra was amazing, as he was vibrant and full of life. He was awake till we completed the song at 4 am," the choreographer said.
Vijay further opened up about how Dharmendra remembered his father, with whom he worked decades ago, as he reminisced about the sweet memory.
"It was a moment of nostalgia for both of us. Dharamji had done a film earlier with my father [filmmaker Anil Ganguly] called Dushman Devta [1991]. During the shoot, he remembered my father fondly. He told me he was a kind man and that he enjoyed working with him," Ikkis choreographer added.
Ikkis new release and plot
Sreeram Raghavan’s Ikkis has been delayed for over a week, and the new theatrical release is January 1, 2026. Although fans will have to wait for over a week to witness the iconic story of India’s Param Vir Chakra hero, who sacrificed his life for the nation. Based on the life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, who became India’s youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, Ikkis is among the promising biopics and war drama films that unveil an inspiring tale of courage, sacrifice, and the unwavering spirit of a soldier. Newcomer Agastya Nanda plays the titular role, and Dharmendra will play his father. The movie also marks the debut of Simar Bhatia, and Jaideep Ahlawat will also be seen in a pivotal role.
Ikkis FAQs:
Q: Is Ikkis postponed to next year?
A: Yes, Ikkis is now releasing on January 1, 2026 after it was postponed for over a week. Ikkis was earlier slated for a December 25 release.
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, the youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, awarded for his extraordinary bravery during the Battle of Basantar.
Q: Who are the actors in Ikkis?
A: Agastya Nanda, who debuted with Zoya Akhtar's The Archies is set to play the titular role of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal. Late actor Dharmendra features as Arun’s father, Brigadier M.L. Khetarpal, and Jaideep Ahlawat plays an army officer.