Ikkis sparks internet inferno: Sriram Raghavan’s film brutally trolled, branded ‘anti-India’ after Dhurandhar

In an era where cinema is consumed alongside instant verdicts on social media, a film’s fate is often sealed online before audiences even leave the theatre. Sriram Raghavan’s Ikkis has found itself caught in exactly this storm. What began as discussion quickly escalated into an all-out digital backlash, with X turning into a battleground of accusations, outrage, and nationalistic rhetoric.

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As conversations around Ikkis gained traction, timelines transformed into virtual courtrooms. Users stepped into the roles of critics and judges, accusing the film of bending history, pushing ideological narratives, and showing selective empathy. The controversy intensified when the film was repeatedly contrasted with Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar, which many online now celebrate as the definitive template for patriotic storytelling.

Hashtags, Hostility, and a Film in Freefall

The reaction to Ikkis has been swift and unforgiving. Rather than balanced critique, much of the discourse has unfolded as organised trolling. Derisive hashtags surged, and posts oscillated between anger and outright condemnation.

For many users, the film symbolised everything they believe is wrong with contemporary Bollywood’s handling of war stories. Much of this anger centres on Ikkis’ depiction of the 1971 war and its treatment of Param Vir Chakra awardee Arun Khetrapal.

Critics online argue that the narrative sidelines Indian bravery, instead focusing on portraying Pakistani soldiers with empathy while diminishing the Indian Army’s image. This perceived imbalance has become the emotional core of the backlash. 

“Whose Story Is Being Told?”

One viral comment accuses Ikkis of “ruining the story of a great war hero” by introducing what the user sees as misplaced sympathy for the Pakistani side. Others reinforce this view, describing the film as a “documentary with the wrong emotional compass.”

Such remarks, often delivered in sharp and inflammatory language, suggest that detractors see the film not as flawed cinema, but as ideologically suspect.

Another post alleges that Indian soldiers are portrayed as “foolish or barbaric,” while Pakistani soldiers appear “patriotic and kind,” framing Ikkis as a retelling of the war from a Pakistani lens.

For critics, the issue goes beyond storytelling choices and into questions of national loyalty.

When Dhurandhar Becomes the Measuring Stick

The outrage surrounding Ikkis has only grown louder due to relentless comparisons with Dhurandhar. Users frequently cite Dhar’s line, “Hindustan ka pehla dushman Hindustani hai,” arguing that Ikkis exemplifies this sentiment. In contrast, Dhurandhar is being upheld as uncompromisingly nationalist, a film that aligns with prevailing audience expectations.

In the post-Dhurandhar landscape, many netizens argue that war films which challenge traditional patriotic frameworks are unlikely to resonate- emotionally or commercially.

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Whether Ikkis ultimately withstands this digital onslaught remains to be seen, but for now, the court of social media has delivered a loud and brutal verdict.