Dharmendra's Last Salute: Emotional Final Role in 'Ikkis' Releases This Christmas
Bollywood legend returns posthumously as grieving war hero’s father.
Hindi cinema legend Dharam Singh Deol, universally celebrated as Bollywood’s original “He-Man,” breathed his last on November 24, 2025, at the age of 89, bringing the curtain down on an extraordinary seven-decade journey that saw him deliver over 300 films and etch unforgettable characters ranging from the brooding Veeru of Sholay to the flamboyant twins of Dharam Veer and the stoic patriarchs of countless family dramas.
His most recent appearance before his passing had been in Karan Johar’s 2023 blockbuster Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, where he shared tender moments with Jaya Bachchan as the elderly Kanwal Lund, reminding an entire generation why his mere presence could elevate any scene with unmatched dignity, subtle humour, and quiet emotional depth that few actors have ever matched.
In a deeply moving tribute timed with his demise, the makers of Sriram Raghavan’s war epic Ikkis released a haunting new poster featuring Dharmendra in military uniform, eyes brimming with restrained grief, accompanied by the powerful line: “Fathers raise sons, Legends raise nations.” The image and accompanying words instantly captured the essence of his final role as Major General M.L. Khetarpal, father of India’s youngest Param Vir Chakra recipient, Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal.
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Scheduled for theatrical release on December 25, 2025, exactly one month after the icon’s death, Ikkis chronicles the extraordinary courage of Arun Khetarpal during the 1971 Indo-Pak War’s Battle of Basantar, where the 21-year-old officer single-handedly halted an enemy tank regiment before making the supreme sacrifice. Produced by Dinesh Vijan under Maddock Films, the project pairs Dharmendra with Amitabh Bachchan’s grandson Agastya Nanda in the lead, alongside Jaideep Ahlawat, Sikandar Kher, and others.
Dharmendra’s posthumous performance is already being hailed as his most emotionally charged. In the trailer, his voice cracks with paternal pride and unbearable sorrow as he says, “Chhota tha na, mujhse army ki kahaniyan suna karta tha… Ab wo jawan, kissa ban gaya hai.” These lines, delivered against the backdrop of a grieving father saluting his martyred son, ensure that Dharmendra’s final screen appearance will not only immortalise a real-life hero but also cement the legend’s own everlasting place in the hearts of millions.
