Ikkis: Agastya Nanda drew inspiration From Amitabh Bachchan’s ‘Major Saab’ and Abhishek Bachchan’s ‘Refugee’ for his role!

Agastya Nanda is gearing up for a defining milestone as he makes his theatrical debut with Ikkis. The film sees him portray Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, India’s youngest Param Vir Chakra awardee. Ever since the trailer dropped, audiences have been eager to see Nanda embody the courage and resolve of the war hero.

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Learning From Cinema’s War Classics

To prepare for the demanding role, Agastya Nanda immersed himself in iconic war dramas, including films starring his own family members. He revisited Amitabh Bachchan’s Major Saab and Abhishek Bachchan’s Refugee, along with other celebrated titles, to understand the emotional and physical nuances of soldiers on screen. 

Speaking during a recent media interaction, he shared, "We took a lot of inspiration and have seen a lot of lovely films like ‘Refugee’, ‘Major Saab’, and ‘Border’, and these were classic Indian films. I would watch them for my own study."

A Different Battlefield, A New Perspective

While these films shaped his understanding, Nanda emphasised that Ikkis stands apart in tone and context.

Reflecting on the uniqueness of the project, he said, "However, this is a different subject altogether; it has a different kind of segment of the army. I’m glad I got an opportunity to play a soldier.”

Directed by Sriram Raghavan, Ikkis chronicles the extraordinary life and bravery of Lt. Arun Khetarpal, who laid down his life during the 1971 Indo-Pak war and was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra.

Family, Films, and a Strict Dining Table Rule

Despite belonging to one of Bollywood’s most influential families, Agastya revealed that film discussions are strictly off-limits at home.

Sharing an insight into the Bachchan household, he explained, “We’ve a rule at home that we don’t discuss movies, so no one ever discusses what films we are doing, what scenes we’ve today, what are we going to do next. That’s a dining table rule. So, of course, they know about the film, and they’re excited. But as a family, they are like, ‘Figure it out', kind of guidance,” he said.

A Make-or-Break Moment

Produced by Dinesh Vijan’s Maddock Films, Ikkis is slated for release on January 1, 2026. For Agastya Nanda, the film carries immense personal significance, especially after his debut outing received mixed responses.

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Opening up candidly, the actor stated, “I'm extremely grateful that Dinu sir supported me at a time when my first film didn't really work, I didn't really get the best reviews, and to still have faith from him and Sriram sir was great. But to me, this is my last chance to prove myself, I've treated it like that."