Dharmendra Passes Away at 89: Final Film ‘Ikkis’ First-Look Poster Released on the Same Day, Leaving Fans in Tears !

Legendary Bollywood actor Dharmendra, affectionately known as the “He-Man” of Indian cinema, passed away on November 24 at the age of 89. The veteran star had been battling respiratory issues for some time and had recently returned home from the hospital to his son Bobby Deol’s residence, where he breathed his last peacefully.

In a heartbreaking coincidence, the first-look poster of Dharmendra’s final on-screen appearance, the war drama Ikkis, was unveiled on the very day the nation learned of his demise, moving millions of fans to tears.

Directed by Sriram Raghavan, Ikkis is based on the extraordinary life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, the youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, who laid down his life at the age of 21 during the 1971 Indo-Pak war. Dharmendra portrays Arun’s father, Brigadier M.L. Khetarpal, in what will now be his last role. Amitabh Bachchan’s grandson Agastya Nanda makes his acting debut as the brave young officer Arun Khetarpal.

The film is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on December 25, 2025, and is being hailed as a fitting and emotional tribute to Dharmendra’s illustrious six-decade-long career.

Social media has been flooded with grief-stricken reactions from fans: “We wished he could have seen this poster while he was still with us… now it feels like his final gift to us,” wrote one emotional follower.

The entire Bollywood fraternity is in mourning. From the Prime Minister to countless co-stars and admirers, tributes have poured in, praying for the eternal peace of the iconic star’s soul.