'Ikkis': Meet Brigadier Khwaja Mohammed Naseer; Pakistani army officer played by Jaideep Ahlawat in Sriram Raghavan directorial Dharmendra’s last film

Forever 21! Second Lt. Arun Khetarpal you remain forever Ikkis (21) and the whole nation today salutes you on the eve of the release of the film Ikkis. According to reports, in 2001, Brigadier M. L. Khetarpal – then 81 years old – felt a strong desire to visit his birthplace at Sargodha, now in Pakistan. At Lahore airport, Brigadier M. L. Khetarpal was met by Brigadier Khwaja Mohammad Naser, who took it upon himself to be Brigadier M.L. Khetarpal’s host and guide.

Brigadier Khwaja Mohammad Naser

A retired officer of the Pakistan Army’s 13 Lancers, he gained international attention for a historic meeting in 2001 with the father of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, the Indian war hero who fought like a tiger in 1971 Indo-Pak War.

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The film shows how Brigadier Naser (Jaideep Ahlawat) hosted Brigadier M. L. Khetarpal (Dharmendra) with a lot of love and respect. He took good care of him in full ‘fauji style’ and ensured Brigadier M.L. Khetarpal had a satisfying and nostalgic visit to his old house in Sargodha. Upon his return to Lahore he was once again the guest of Brigadier Naser for three days. He didn’t want him to stay in a hotel, but he wanted Brigadier M.L. Khetarpal to stay and his place and be a part of his family for three days.

As per the film and as per previous reports, throughout his stay Brigadier M.L. Khetarpal felt that there was something more to his relationship that Brigadier Naser wanted to build up with him. Brigadier Naser and his family members including his staff treated Brigadier M.L. Khetarpal with utmost respect. He felt Naser and his family wanted to say something.

Ikkis film shows, Brigadier Naser played by Jaideep Ahlawat took Brigadier M.L. Khetarpal to the spot where Arun Khetarpal (Agastya Nanda) breathed his last breath and narrated the entire story. He said, that it was he who shot Arun Khetarpal (Agastya Nanda). He was a soldier and so was Arun Khetarpal and both of them were fighting for their country. After narrating the story, he felt a kind of relief.

About _Ikkis_

Directed by National Award–winning filmmaker Sriram Raghavan, Ikkis is the untold true story of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, the youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra at just 21 — honoured posthumously for his unmatched courage and sacrifice during the 1971 Indo-Pak war.

Through Arun’s journey, Ikkis explores questions of morality, mortality, patriotism, and the power of young blood that rises when the nation calls.

(With added inputs from agencies)

WATCH the trailer of Ikkis here: