Ikis film review

श्रीराम राघवन द्वारा निर्देशित फिल्म ‘इक्कीस’ की स्पेशल स्क्रीनिंग 29 दिसंबर 2025 को मुंबई में हुई। जिसमें सनी देओल, सलामन खान समेत कई बड़े स्टॉर्स पहुंचे। जिसके बाद सबसे ज्यादा चर्चा फिल्म के पहले रिव्यू की हो रही है, जिसे मशहूर कास्टिंग डायरेक्टर मुकेश छाबड़ा ने शेयर किया है। उनके मुताबिक, यह फिल्म सिर्फ एक फिल्म नहीं, बल्कि दिल से जुड़ी एक भावना है। फिल्म की कहानी ‘इक्कीस’ एक बायोपिक वॉर ड्रामा है, जो परमवीर चक्र से सम्मानित सेकंड लेफ्टिनेंट अरुण खेत्रपाल के जीवन पर आधारित है। फिल्म 1971 के भारत-पाकिस्तान युद्ध के दौरान बसंतर की लड़ाई में उनके अदम्य साहस और शहादत की कहानी को पर्दे पर लाती है। अरुण खेत्रपाल की भूमिका में अगस्त्य नंदा नजर आ रहे हैं। श्रीराम राघवन के निर्देशन में बनी इस फिल्म में धर्मेंद्र ने अरुण खेत्रपाल के पिता ब्रिगेडियर एम.एल. खेत्रपाल (रिटायर्ड) का किरदार निभाया है। जयदीप अहलावत पाकिस्तानी सेना अधिकारी ब्रिगेडियर ख्वाजा मोहम्मद नसीर की भूमिका में हैं, जबकि राहुल देव लेफ्टिनेंट कर्नल (बाद में लेफ्टिनेंट जनरल) हनुत सिंह, MVC के रूप में दिखाई देते हैं।

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Ace Russian Artist Nikas Safronov’s ‘Dream Vision’ Unveiled NGMA Mumbai ‘Dream Vision’, the landmark solo exhibition by People’s Artist of the Russian Federation Nikas Safronov, was inaugurated at the prestigious National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), Mumbai, marking a significant moment of multicultural confluence in the city’s cultural calendar. The opening brought together diplomats, cultural leaders, and art patrons from multiple nations, reflecting the exhibition’s larger spirit of cross-cultural exchange and dialogue. Among those in attendance were Ivan Y. Fetisov - Consul General of the Russian Federation; Donnawit Poolsawat - Consul General of Thailand; Aliaksandr Matsukou - the Consulate General of Belarus; musician Luka Safronov; Steve Pinheiro, VP - Corporate Affairs, Reliance Industries Limited; and Shruti Das - Deputy Curator, NGMA Mumbai, along with noted artist Prakash Bal Joshi and theatre personality Dolly Thakore. The evening marked a vibrant celebration of art and culture, with live musical performances, including a stirring piano recital by the Nikas’ son, Luka Safronov, which brought a personal and evocative layer to the evening. Following its record-breaking reception in New Delhi, the Mumbai edition of Safronov’s exhibition presents 45 works tracing key phases of his artistic journey, including classical painting, symbolism, landscapes, and his signature ‘Dream Vision’ style. Conceived as a non-commercial, open-for-all cultural initiative, the exhibition invites viewers into a reflective and immersive artistic experience. Nikas Safronov’s ‘Dream Vision’ will on display at The National Gallery of Modern Art, Sir Cowasji Jahangir Public Hall, Fort, Mumbai till the 15th of January 2026.

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Teaser of Short Film Vishaad Out Now — A Gripping Glimpse Into Silence and Suspicion The official teaser of the upcoming short film Vishaad is now out, giving audiences a cryptic yet powerful glimpse into a story built on mystery, moral conflict, and emotional unrest. The one-minute visual opens with an inspector scanning his surroundings — his sharp, probing gaze hinting at a truth lurking beneath the surface. The teaser takes a bold cinematic route, using reverse-motion sequences to blur the lines between memory and reality. One of the most compelling frames shows an obscured figure handing a child something to play with — an innocent moment layered with eerie ambiguity, intensified by its backward unfolding. As tension peaks, the inspector knocks firmly on a door. Veteran actor Ashish Vidyarthi opens it — calm, reflective, and carrying a storm of unspoken thought. The teaser ends not with answers, but a trail of questions, doubts, and a lingering emotional cliffhanger. Vishaad is produced by Nilaanjan Reeta Datta under the banner of Finchbill Motion Pictures Private Limited (Finchbill Motion Pictures Pvt. Ltd.). The film is co-directed by Navnita Sen and Nilaanjan Reeta Datta, with the screenplay crafted by Navnita Sen. The film’s contemplative depth is elevated by its soul-stirring music score, composed by Ashu Chakraborty, whose soundscape adds a poetic yet unsettling rhythm to the narrative. The short film features a compelling ensemble led by Ashish Vidyarthi, alongside Rajeshwar and Ketaki Narayan, whose performances ground the film’s psychological and emotional core. Sharing his experience with the film, actor Rajeshwar said “The moment I read the script of Vishaad, I was drawn to it. It felt intellectually stimulating. It was an honour working opposite Ashish Vidyarthi Ji, and a pleasure collaborating with a supportive co-star like Ketaki, along with a crew that includes mostly National Award winners.” His words mirror the artistic ambition behind Vishaad — a film driven by thought-provoking storytelling and crafted by celebrated creative minds. The film is set to premiere globally on the Pocket Films YouTube Channel, on 16th January 2026. With layered symbolism, slow-burn suspense, and emotional subtlety, Vishaad promises to be more than a short film — it aims to be a cinematic experience that lingers, stirring questions about innocence, intent, truth, and consequence. Teaser link : https://www.instagram.com/p/DSugovpkqa0/?hl=en

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Teaser of Short Film Vishaad Out Now — A Gripping Glimpse Into Silence and Suspicion The official teaser of the upcoming short film Vishaad is now out, giving audiences a cryptic yet powerful glimpse into a story built on mystery, moral conflict, and emotional unrest. The one-minute visual opens with an inspector scanning his surroundings — his sharp, probing gaze hinting at a truth lurking beneath the surface. The teaser takes a bold cinematic route, using reverse-motion sequences to blur the lines between memory and reality. One of the most compelling frames shows an obscured figure handing a child something to play with — an innocent moment layered with eerie ambiguity, intensified by its backward unfolding. As tension peaks, the inspector knocks firmly on a door. Veteran actor Ashish Vidyarthi opens it — calm, reflective, and carrying a storm of unspoken thought. The teaser ends not with answers, but a trail of questions, doubts, and a lingering emotional cliffhanger. Vishaad is produced by Nilaanjan Reeta Datta under the banner of Finchbill Motion Pictures Private Limited (Finchbill Motion Pictures Pvt. Ltd.). The film is co-directed by Navnita Sen and Nilaanjan Reeta Datta, with the screenplay crafted by Navnita Sen. The film’s contemplative depth is elevated by its soul-stirring music score, composed by Ashu Chakraborty, whose soundscape adds a poetic yet unsettling rhythm to the narrative. The short film features a compelling ensemble led by Ashish Vidyarthi, alongside Rajeshwar and Ketaki Narayan, whose performances ground the film’s psychological and emotional core. Sharing his experience with the film, actor Rajeshwar said “The moment I read the script of Vishaad, I was drawn to it. It felt intellectually stimulating. It was an honour working opposite Ashish Vidyarthi Ji, and a pleasure collaborating with a supportive co-star like Ketaki, along with a crew that includes mostly National Award winners.” His words mirror the artistic ambition behind Vishaad — a film driven by thought-provoking storytelling and crafted by celebrated creative minds. The film is set to premiere globally on the Pocket Films YouTube Channel, on 16th January 2026. With layered symbolism, slow-burn suspense, and emotional subtlety, Vishaad promises to be more than a short film — it aims to be a cinematic experience that lingers, stirring questions about innocence, intent, truth, and consequence. Teaser link : https://www.instagram.com/p/DSugovpkqa0/?hl=en

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Ranveer Brar gets emotional as Big B recites his late father's iconic Madhushala

The iconic stage of Kaun Banega Crorepati witnessed a warm and memorable moment as Amitabh Bachchan welcomed celebrity chef and MasterChef India judge Ranveer Brar as a special chief guest on the show. The exchange unfolded as a beautiful blend of respect, nostalgia, humour, and shared cultural admiration. Introducing Ranveer Brar, Amitabh Bachchan remarked with pride, “You must have seen his famous face. He is a judge in the field of cuisine.” He followed this with his signature wit, saying, “It is said that if you want to win your husband’s heart, you must give him dinner. Nothing else,” leaving the audience in splits of laughter. Sharing a personal memory, Ranveer Brar spoke about his long-standing admiration for Amitabh Bachchan, saying, “When I was young, I went to Prayagraj from Lucknow to see your amazing house. I will not miss this opportunity. I am very proud to sit in front of you.” The moment turned deeply emotional when Amitabh Bachchan recited verses from the late Harivansh Rai Bachchan’s iconic Madhushala (requested by Avilash’s father; contestant sitting on the hot seat.) Overwhelmed, Ranveer revealed his personal connection to the poem, sharing, “Once, I was not able to find the vinyl of Madhushala, the old HMV record. Today, I have eight. I was afraid one might get scratched, so I kept buying another. Today, listening to it from you makes me feel like a crorepati.” Speaking about the upcoming season of MasterChef India, Ranveer added an exciting update, “MasterChef India is coming as a couple for the first time. This time, there will be not one, but two MasterChefs.” The interaction stood out as a rare convergence of legacy, culture, and contemporary excellence — a moment where poetry met passion and admiration flowed effortlessly, making it one of the most cherished highlights on Kaun Banega Crorepati this season. MasterChef India premieres on 5th January, Monday to Friday, at 9:00 PM on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony Liv!

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Maddock Films and Sony Music India’s - Ikkis’s Album Out Now! National, 26th December 2025, After winning hearts with its musical releases and steadily upgrading playlists across platforms, the makers of Ikkis release the complete music album of the film. Delivering a carefully curated journey, the album brings together a powerful blend of romance, emotion and resilience. Directed by the acclaimed Sriram Raghavan and produced by the visionary Dinesh Vijan under Maddock Films, “Ikkis” brings to screen the extraordinary true story of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, India’s youngest Param Vir Chakra awardee. His unparalleled bravery during the 1971 Indo-Pak remains a symbol of courage and national pride. Alongside Agastya Nanda and Simar Bhatia, the film features compelling performances by Jaideep Ahlawat and the late icon Dharmendra ji. Poised to inspire and move audiences across the country, “Ikkis” is slated for a grand theatrical release on 1st January 2026. The album opens with Sitaare, a powerful and uplifting track that has been breaking records since its release, dominating charts and trending widely across platforms. The song sets the emotional foundation of the album with its message of hope and aspiration, emerging as one of the most celebrated tracks of the film. Following this is ‘Ban Ke Dikha Ikkis’, a stirring composition rooted in courage and conviction. The track echoes the spirit of determination and resilience that defines the core of Ikkis. The album then shifts into a more introspective space with ‘Tera Aashiq’, a poetic Qawaali layered with longing and devotion. The song reflects the inner conflicts and unspoken bonds of the characters, offering a reflective pause in the album’s journey. Adding tenderness to the soundtrack is ‘Sajda’, a track that celebrates love in its purest, most vulnerable form, capturing moments of quiet surrender and emotional faith. Closing the album with Biradar Yamma a poignant composition that lingers warmth and longing, leaving listeners with a lasting emotional imprint. Penned by Amitabh Bhattacharya and Irshad Kamil the album is brought alive through distinct and immersive compositions of White Noise Collectives, who create sounds that balance scale with intimacy. The album features vocals by Arijit Singh (Sitaare), Jasmine Sandlas (Ban Ke Dikha Ikkis), Master Saleem and Madhubanti Bagchi (Tera Aashiq), Vishal Mishra and Asees Kaur (Sajda), Divya Kumar and Sumonto Mukherjee (Biradar Yamma), adding diverse textures and emotional range to the album. Speaking about shaping the album’s sound, White Noise Collectives shared, “Our approach to the music of Ikkis was to support the story without empowering it. Every track has been specially thought to feel organic, emotional and immersive. The response to the songs so far has been incredibly encouraging, and it reassures us that the music has connected the way we hoped it would.” Sharing his thoughts on the album, Agastya Nanda said, “Seeing the love each song has received has been truly overwhelming. Music played a huge role in helping me understand my character and its emotional journey. Listening to the complete album now feels like revisiting those moments on set which were honest, emotional and very close to my heart.” Simar Bhatia added, “The love the songs have received has been incredibly special. Each track feels deeply emotional and purposeful. The music doesn’t just support the film, it becomes a part of the characters, and that’s what makes this album so close to my heart.” With a musical range that blends energy, romance and introspection, the Ikkis music album stands as a complete musical narrative that complements the film’s emotional arc. As the war-drama gears up for its theatrical release, the album sets the stage for a cinematic experience rooted in emotion, legacy, and human connection. The album is now streaming across platforms, ready to find a place in listeners’ hearts and playlists alike.

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Ultra Media’s OTT Insights Report 2025 Shows Legacy Content Driving New-Age Viewership From Don and Amar Prem to Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. and Sarfarosh, Ultra Media’s 2025 data shows how classics and modern hits are driving OTT engagement 700+ Titles Added, 250% Growth Recorded: Inside Ultra Media’s 2025 OTT Playbook Mumbai, 26 December 2025: Ultra Media & Entertainment Group has released ‘The Ultra Media OTT Insights Report 2025’, offering a comprehensive, data-led view of how Indian audiences consumed digital content this year. Based on in-depth consumption insights from Ultra Play, the report tracks shifting viewing behaviour across eras, genres, geographies and languages, highlighting how curated libraries, marquee restorations and high-intensity storytelling are shaping OTT engagement in a maturing market. The Ultra Media OTT Insights Report 2025 has been developed entirely in-house by Ultra Media & Entertainment Group, drawing on proprietary, first-party viewership data from Ultra Play. The study analyses audience behaviour, content consumption patterns and engagement metrics across eras, genres, geographies and demographic cohorts, offering a grounded view of how Indian audiences are streaming today. Built on real platform usage rather than external surveys, the report reflects Ultra Media’s long-standing expertise in content ownership, curation and programming. Ultra Play is a Hindi-language OTT platform from Ultra Media & Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., offering over 5,000 hours of curated entertainment across 1,800+ titles. Spanning iconic classics from 1943 to today’s blockbusters, along with web series and South Indian films dubbed in Hindi, the platform blends storytelling, nostalgia and culturally rooted cinema. Anchored in its “Har Pal Filmy” philosophy, Ultra Play brings together restoration, thoughtful curation and digital distribution to make India’s cinematic heritage accessible anytime, anywhere for a multi-generational audience. Era-wise consumption patterns in 2025 clearly favoured post-2000 Hindi blockbusters, which emerged as the strongest performers on Ultra Play, capturing the largest audience share and driving the highest engagement metrics, including watch time and completion rates. Films from the 1990s followed closely, delivering strong viewership retention and repeat consumption, while classics from the 1950s to the 1970s continued to attract steady, loyal audiences—underscoring the platform’s appeal across Hindi cinema’s golden eras. Importantly, the OTT insights report highlights that classic film consumption is no longer limited to older viewers. Younger audiences, particularly Gen Z and Millennials, were observed actively discovering legacy cinema, driven by improved restoration quality, better accessibility and curated discovery. This shift signals a widening audience base for classic content, transforming nostalgia into first-time viewing rather than mere revisitation. Within the classic Hindi cinema segment (pre-1980), Don, Amar Prem, Bobby, Aradhana and Mera Naam Joker emerged as the five most-watched titles on Ultra Play in 2025, consistently outperforming other catalogue films. Among films from the 1990s and early 2000s, Munna Bhai M.B.B.S., Andaz Apna Apna, Tezaab, Sarfarosh, Koi… Mil Gaya, Khalnayak, Karan Arjun and Ghayal collectively delivered the highest watch time and strongest repeat viewing, forming a critical engagement backbone on the platform. Restoration emerged as a clear premium engagement lever during the year. Restored titles such as Rangeela and Sarfarosh significantly outperformed comparable mainstream catalogue films, delivering above-expected engagement and strong completion rates. Other restored films including Half Ticket, Pyaasa, Pardes and others contributed meaningfully to catalogue depth, reinforcing the strategic value of marquee restorations in driving high-intent, premium viewing. Genre-wise, action and thrillers dominated viewership on Ultra Play in 2025, accounting for 29.07% and 24.92% of total genre consumption respectively. Comedy followed at 12.83%, romantic films contributed 11.05%, while crime titles accounted for 5.68%, maintaining a focused yet loyal audience base. The data points to a strong viewer preference for fast-paced, plot-driven narratives across mass-appeal genres. Audience insights from 2025 highlight strong pan-India engagement across Ultra Play, led by metros such as Delhi and Mumbai, followed by high-performing growth markets including Pune, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Jaipur and Patna. Viewership across regions showed a clear preference for post-2000 blockbusters, action-thrillers, South Indian dubbed films and legacy Hindi cinema. Demographically, the audience skewed young and male, with an 80:20 male–female ratio, and nearly 70% of total viewership coming from audiences below 44 years, led by the highly active 18–24 age group.