The extraordinary bravery of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, the youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra who made the supreme sacrifice at just 21 during the 1971 Indo-Pak War, is set to be immortalised on the silver screen. The film, titled 'Ikkis', is scheduled for a Christmas Day release on December 25. This project also marks the final cinematic appearance of the legendary actor Dharmendra.
A Friendship Forged in NDA and Severed by War
Brigadier Deepak Bajaj (Retd), a retired officer of the Indian Army Armoured Corps and a batchmate of Khetarpal from the 38th course of the National Defence Academy, vividly recalls their last meeting. "We hugged each other, we said bye to each other. I vividly remember his cheerful smile when he said to me ‘Buddy, see you after we sort out the enemy’," Brigadier Bajaj recounted, the memory still poignant after decades. He described Arun as a lean, tall, and extremely competitive youngster who was a natural leader, excelling in both sports and academics at the NDA's Foxtrot Squadron.
The clouds of war disrupted their Young Officers' training in Ahmednagar around September 1971. Their course was abruptly cancelled, and the young officers were dispatched to their regiments. Brigadier Bajaj, then SLt Bajaj, was posted to the Dera Baba Nanak sector, while SLt Khetarpal joined his unit, the Poona Horse Regiment, in the Shakargarh sector. Their parting at Ahmednagar railway station, boarding the Jhelum Express, was final.
The Supreme Sacrifice at the Battle of Basantar
The narrative of Ikkis builds towards the historic battle of December 16, 1971, in the Shakargarh Sector. When an Indian position at Jarpal came under a fierce attack by a Pakistani armoured regiment and was heavily outnumbered, SLt Arun Khetarpal answered the call for reinforcements. He moved his troop to engage the enemy in what would become an iconic and fierce tank battle.
Displaying unparalleled courage, Khetarpal fought relentlessly. Even after being ordered to abandon his burning tank and having sustained grievous wounds, he chose to stay and fight, realizing the enemy advance was still pressing. He managed to destroy another enemy tank before his own was hit a second time, leading to his martyrdom. For this act of conspicuous bravery, leadership, and devotion to duty beyond the call of duty, he was posthumously awarded India's highest military honour, the Param Vir Chakra.
Star-Studded Tribute to a National Hero
Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Sriram Raghavan, the cast of Ikkis brings this emotional story to life. Making his major film debut, Agastya Nanda, grandson of Amitabh Bachchan, portrays the young hero, SLt Arun Khetarpal. In a poignant and fitting finale to a legendary career, the late Dharmendra plays the role of Arun's father, Brigadier Madan Lal Khetarpal. The film will feature Dharmendra reciting his own poem, 'Aj Bhi Ji Karda Hai, Pind Apne Nu Jaanwa', as a key highlight.
Born on October 14, 1950, in Pune into a family with a strong military tradition, Arun Khetarpal's legacy continues to inspire. The parade ground at his alma mater, the NDA, is proudly named the Khetarpal Parade Ground in his honour. Brigadier Bajaj learned of his friend's sacrifice only two to three days after the battle, a loss that still resonates. The film Ikkis promises to be a powerful cinematic tribute, ensuring that the story of this young lion of the Indian Army and his final, fearless words continue to echo for generations to come.
