Filmmaker Sriram Raghavan’s latest release, “Ikkis,” did not achieve expected success at the box office, despite receiving favorable reviews. The film faced criticism for allegedly portraying Pakistani soldiers in a positive light, leading to comparisons with “Dhurandhar,” a film criticized for its depiction of Pakistan’s role in terrorism. In a recent interview with Screen, the writers of “Ikkis,” Pooja Ladha Surti and Arijit Biswas, addressed these comparisons directly.
During the interview, Arijit Biswas clarified the fundamental differences between “Ikkis” and “Dhurandhar.” He emphasized that they operate within distinct narratives. According to him, “Dhurandhar” navigates a unique ecosystem centered on mafia and gang dynamics, whereas the moral compass governing a war film like “Ikkis” is rooted in a warrior’s code. He expressed that it is misleading to compare films with such divergent themes.
Pooja Ladha Surti echoed these sentiments, asserting that there is no need to position one film against the other. She noted that both movies occupy intricate and varied worlds, suggesting that a democratic film landscape should allow for the coexistence of both “Dhurandhar” and “Ikkis.”
“Ikkis” is a biographical war drama that tells the story of Second Lieutenant Arun Kheterpal, the youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra. Set against the backdrop of the Battle of Basantar during the 1971 India-Pakistan War, the film marks the theatrical debut of Agastya Nanda and features a cast that includes Jaideep Ahlawat, Simar Bhatia, and the late veteran actor Dharmendra. While it has been praised for its sensitive portrayal of military service and performances, it has also faced backlash for its depiction of Pakistani soldiers.
Conversely, “Dhurandhar” revolves around an Indian spy who infiltrates a Pakistani gangster’s organization to destabilize the criminal network while feeding intelligence to India’s RAW agency. This film aims to shed light on terrorism’s roots and stars prominent actors such as Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, and Sanjay Dutt.
Despite mixed critiques, “Dhurandhar” achieved blockbuster status, amassing over ₹1,200 crore worldwide and becoming the highest-grossing Bollywood film in history with domestic earnings surpassing ₹850 crore. Moreover, a sequel to “Dhurandhar” is anticipated, with a release date set for March 19.