Ikkis has received rave reviews for steering away from loud patriotism and instead focusing on the emotional cost of war—the grief, sacrifice, and shared respect between soldiers on both sides.

The film’s tempo was uneven, especially with tonal shifts between past war sequences and present-day reflections. The romantic subplot and musical moments occasionally undercut momentum, and the storytelling lacked the usual punch expected from Raghavan’s work, opine the critics.

As Brigadier M. L. Khetarpal, the late actor Dharmendra has delivered a poignant performance, lending gravity and depth to the story. Jaideep Ahlawat’s reflective co-lead and Agastya Nanda’s sincere debut are among the highlights of the film, and their chemistry anchors the emotional core, say the critics.

Ikkis is widely seen as a moving, thoughtful war drama that prioritizes human stories over spectacle. It’s appreciated as an emotional biographical tribute with strong performances—especially Dharmendra’s—though some find its pacing uneven and narrative balance imperfect.

NDTV verdict: Ikkis will most definitely not command anything like the windfall that Dhurandhar has seen, but it is reassuring that Mumbai has not been emptied of filmmakers who will not swim with the tide and will dare to stick to their guns (the sort that fire shots of sanity) no matter what. For that, and for much else, go out and watch Ikkis. It isn’t your average Hindi war film.

Indian Express verdict: A solid start to 2026, Ikkis is a war film which makes you feel in a way that movies these days are not either able to or want to: the two ISI men who are following the two generals’ car are only doing their job, as are the men who go into battle, intent upon saving their countrymen.

The Hindu verdict: Led by a breakout performance from Agastya Nanda and a moving duet on grief and guilt by Dharmendra and Jaideep Ahlawat, ‘Ikkis’ succeeds as a thoughtful, tear-jerking homage to a young warrior that values soul over spectacle