Ikkis: Sunny Deol Gets Emotional After Watching Dharmendra's Last Performance; Says 'It's Papa's Gift To...'

Dharmendra’s final film Ikkis reaches cinemas on 1 January 2026, turning its release into an emotional moment for the Deol family. Sunny Deol watched the film at a special screening and shared a heartfelt Instagram note, describing how strongly the project carries Dharmendra’s presence and values. The veteran star Dharmendra died in Mumbai on 24 November 2025 due to age-related health issues, leaving colleagues and fans grieving. Many in the film industry see Ikkis as both a farewell and a celebration of a long career that shaped Hindi cinema for decades.

Ikkis as a tribute to Dharmendra and Ikkis as family treasure

Sunny Deol said the film feels like a keepsake from Dharmendra, especially for close family members. In Ikkis, Dharmendra plays ML Khetarpal, father of second lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, bringing emotional depth to the war story. The film also stars Agastya Nanda and Jaideep Ahlawat in important roles.

Sharing a poster of Ikkis featuring Dharmendra, Sunny Deol expressed what the film means to the family and fans. Sunny Deol captioned the post as, "Our Papa, the man of the soil, Ikkis is his salute - his gift to the earth he loved and to the fans who always stood by him. For our family, it is a treasure filled with his spirit, courage, and his heart. Today, with love and immense pride, we share it with the world, hoping it lives on the way he does - forever."

Cast, screening details and Ikkis release schedule

At the screening, Sunny Deol became emotional while watching Dharmendra on the large screen for the final time. Bobby Deol also attended and drew attention by wearing one of Dharmendra’s shirts, a gesture many read as a quiet personal tribute to the late actor’s memory.

The key details related to Ikkis and upcoming projects linked with the cast are given below for clarity.

Film	Key Cast	Role / Detail	Release Date
Ikkis	Dharmendra, Agastya Nanda, Jaideep Ahlawat	Dharmendra as ML Khetarpal	1 January 2026
Border 2	Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, Ahan Shetty, Mona Singh	Mona Singh as Sunny Deol’s wife	23 January 2026

Beyond Ikkis, Sunny Deol moves to another war drama, Border 2, scheduled for theatrical release on 23 January 2026. The film features Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh and Ahan Shetty, with Mona Singh playing Sunny Deol’s onscreen spouse, continuing the actor’s long association with stories set against military backdrops.

For many viewers, Ikkis now stands as Dharmendra’s cinematic farewell, shaped by family participation and strong emotions. With Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol openly sharing their grief and pride, the release turns into a shared moment for fans who grew up watching Dharmendra’s films and now gather to watch the final performance.