Monday night’s special screening of Ikkis wasn’t just another Bollywood premiere—it was an emotional farewell to legend Dharmendra, whose final performance shone through in this powerful war biopic. From Salman Khan’s tears to Rekha’s tender blessing for debutant Agastya Nanda, the evening captured Bollywood’s heart.

Emotional Moments That Stole the Show

Star	Heartfelt Gesture	Significance
Salman Khan	Teared up seeing Dharmendra’s poster	Close friend paying final tribute
Rekha	Kissed Agastya Nanda’s poster frame	Blessing Big B’s grandson
Sunny Deol	Stood teary-eyed beside father’s photo	Son’s emotional goodbye
Bobby Deol	Broke down after watching the film	Last viewing of father’s performance

Salman’s Tearful Tribute

Salman Khan, who recently celebrated his 60th birthday, arrived at the screening visibly moved. As he posed for photographers, his eyes welled up seeing Dharmendra’s poster—a testament to their decades-long friendship. The superstar and veteran actor shared an unbreakable bond, and losing him has left the industry reeling.

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Rekha’s Graceful Blessing

Looking resplendent in a light green and golden saree, veteran actress Rekha stole hearts with her elegant gestures. She first bowed reverently before Dharmendra’s poster with folded hands, then moved to Agastya Nanda’s frame, gently placing her hand on it and blowing a flying kiss as a blessing.

This tender moment symbolized Bollywood’s generational continuity—the old guard blessing new talent stepping into the spotlight.

The Deol Family’s Grief

Sunny and Bobby Deol attended with their families, both struggling with visible emotion. Sunny paused deliberately near his father’s poster, offering a gentle smile through teary eyes. Bobby reportedly broke down after watching his father’s final performance, wiping away tears as he left the venue.

The family’s raw emotion reminded everyone that behind the glamour, they’re simply children saying goodbye to their beloved father.

What Makes Ikkis Special

Directed by Sriram Raghavan (Andhadhun, Badlapur), Ikkis chronicles the heroics of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal—the youngest Param Vir Chakra recipient who sacrificed his life at 21 during the 1971 India-Pakistan war’s Battle of Basantar.

Agastya Nanda (Amitabh Bachchan’s grandson) makes his theatrical debut as the brave warrior, supported by powerhouse performers including Jaideep Ahlawat, Dharmendra, Sikander Kher, Vivaan Shah, and Simar Bhatia.

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Amitabh Bachchan’s Proud Reflection

The legendary Amitabh Bachchan penned an emotional blog post after an earlier screening, recalling memories from Agastya’s birth to watching him excel on the big screen. He praised his grandson’s performance, noting his ability to command every frame with authenticity and honoring Second Lieutenant Khetarpal’s legacy.

Star-Studded Attendance

The screening brought together Bollywood royalty: Tabu, Jeetendra, Manish Malhotra, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Genelia and Riteish Deshmukh, Tiger Shroff, Arjun Kapoor, Randeep Hooda, Naseeruddin Shah with family, Sussanne Khan, and many more—all united in celebrating Dharmendra’s final cinematic gift.

Release Details

Ikkis releases theatrically on January 1, 2026—a New Year’s Day tribute to India’s war heroes and a bittersweet farewell to one of Hindi cinema’s most beloved icons. Produced by Maddock Films’ Dinesh Vijan and Binny Padda, the film promises to be both a gripping war drama and an emotional tribute.

FAQs

Why was the Ikkis screening so emotional for everyone?

The film marks legendary actor Dharmendra’s final performance before his passing, making it a bittersweet farewell as family, friends, and the industry watched his last on-screen appearance.

When does Ikkis release in theaters?

Ikkis releases on January 1, 2026, starring debutant Agastya Nanda as Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, with Dharmendra, Jaideep Ahlawat, and others in supporting roles.