Agastya Nanda’s war biographical drama **Ikkis**, directed by ace filmmaker **Shriram Raghavan**, is now streaming only on **Amazon Prime Video** (also known as Prime Video) in India and over 200 countries/territories. It became available for free to subscribers on February 26, 2026 (initially available for rent from approximately February 12, after the theater opened). The film premiered in theaters on **January 1, 2026** (delayed to Christmas 2025 due to astrological reasons).
**Twenty One** is a powerful biopic of Second Lieutenant **Arun Khetarpal**, who was India’s youngest **Param Vir Chakra** recipient (awarded posthumously at the age of 21 in the Battle of Basantar during the 1971 Indo-Pak war). Agastya Nanda has played the title role with maturity and complete sincerity, portraying the bravery and sacrifice of the young tank commander. The cast includes **Jaideep Ahlawat**, **Vivaan Shah**, **Simar Bhatia**, **Suhasini Mulay**, **Sikandar Kher**, **Rahul Dev**, and it is the last on-screen appearance of veteran actor **Dharmendra** as Brigadier Khetrapal (Arun’s father). Produced by Maddock Films (Dinesh Vijan, Binny Padda), the film was praised for its excellent writing, direction, presentation and emotional depth.
Megastar **Amitabh Bachchan** (Agastya’s grandfather) wrote an emotional blog post after watching it, in which he shared personal memories from Agastya’s birth (being taken to Breach Candy hospital, holding the new born baby, debating on his blue eyes, and later fiddling with his beard) to his decision to take up acting. He praised Agastya’s performance: “When he’s in the frame you just see him… his maturity, his honesty without any doubt… no fluff or fluff, just Arun Khetrapal’s soldier.” As “a staunch cinema goer” (not just a grandfather), he witnessed tears of joy/proud at the end, called the film a no-brainer and fell silent with pride.
Before its digital debut, the film did well in theaters, and won praise for its patriotic story and performances.
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