In a poignant reminder of his enduring love for cinema, a clip from one of veteran actor Dharmendra's final interviews has surfaced online, where he earnestly requested everyone to watch his last film, 'Ikkis'. The legendary star, who passed away in November 2025, spoke about the Sriram Raghavan-directed war drama with immense pride and conviction.
A Legend's Last Request Goes Viral
The video, which has gone viral on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), shows Dharmendra in a reflective mood. "One of my films, Ikkis, is releasing, do make sure you watch it," he says warmly to the interviewer. He praised director Sriram Raghavan, recalling his earlier work 'Johnny Gaddaar', and described 'Ikkis' as a border-based film that is "very touching and a very good film."
The post, shared by a user on January 1, 2026, framed it as Dharmendra Ji's last message to cinema lovers, noting that his voice may fade but his legacy endures. The film, which explores the Indo-Pak war of 1971 and stars Agastya Nanda and Jaideep Ahlawat, has been receiving positive reviews since its release.
Emotional Behind-the-Scenes Moments
This wasn't the only time the actor expressed his feelings for the project. Just days before the interview clip resurfaced, his son, actor Sunny Deol, shared a behind-the-scenes video from the sets of 'Ikkis' on Instagram. In that clip, Dharmendra is seen shooting for the war film, addressing the crew with quiet pride.
"The film has been made in a very nice way, and I think both India and Pakistan should see this picture," he remarked, highlighting the film's universal message. His words turned emotional as he acknowledged the last day of shooting: "I am happily sad today on the last day of shooting. I love you all. If I have made any mistakes, please forgive me."
A Legacy of Storytelling Insight
'Ikkis' marked the second collaboration between Dharmendra and director Sriram Raghavan after the cult classic 'Johnny Gaddaar'. Raghavan has often recalled an incident that showcased the veteran actor's deep understanding of character logic.
During the filming of a crucial interval scene in 'Johnny Gaddaar', where Dharmendra's character was to be killed, the original script called for a stabbing. However, Dharmendra questioned the choice. After examining the prop knife, he told Raghavan, "This is fine. I can die from this, but it would take me 15–20 minutes to die. In that time, I would kill him. Because I’m Dharmendra, I would kill him before that."
This sharp insight left the director stunned. He consulted his cinematographer, who agreed the scene would look unrealistic. Raghavan quickly reworked the scene, procuring a gun to make the character's death instant and truthful, all thanks to Dharmendra's instinctive grasp of his on-screen persona.
Dharmendra's passing in late 2025 left a void in the Indian film industry after a career spanning over six decades. His final cinematic offering, 'Ikkis', stands not just as a war film but as a testament to the actor's lasting commitment to powerful storytelling, making his final request for audiences to watch it all the more significant.
