'Ikkis' director Sriram Raghavan says Ranveer Singh's 'Dhurandhar' isn't his kind of a film: 'It is doing spectacularly well but...'

Sriram Raghavan’s Ikkis is all to release in cinemas tomorrow on the first day of 2026. It stars the late Dharmendra, Agastya Nanda, Rahul Dev, and Jaideep Ahlawat in crucial roles. And the director in an interview spoke about the recent blockbuster success of Dhurandhar.

Talking to The Hindu, Raghavan said, “It is a well-made film with terrific performances, but it is not our kind of film. We must understand that we are living in different times. Dhurandhar is one movie. It is doing spectacularly well, and it should. But this is not the only format. If I start following it, it will be the silliest thing to do.”

What is Ikkis all about?

Filmmaker Sriram Raghavan’s Ikkis is a war-drama that has been waiting to happen for over half a decade. This is a film based on the life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, PVC, a fierce role that was earlier being played by Varun Dhawan. But it seems it was newbie Agastya Nanda who was destined to essay this soldier.

Filmmaker Sriram Raghavan’s Ikkis is a war-drama that has been waiting to happen for over half a decade. This is a film based on the life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, PVC, a fierce role that was earlier being played by Varun Dhawan. But it seems it was newbie Agastya Nanda who was destined to essay this soldier.

The genius called   Sriram Raghavan

Sriram Raghavan’s stories are twisted and treated with utmost care and deliciousness. The other word that could be used is juicy. And yes, the characters are complex and charming, and the climax dazzles and is always debatable. His last film Merry Christmas was designed and described as a love story wrapped inside a whodunnit, where two lonely people met and formed a bond that unravels a lot of secrets and motivations.