Who is Arun Khetarpal, inspiration for Agastya Nanda’s ‘Ikkis’?
The Indian film industry has always been fascinated by the stories of bravery and sacrifice of the Indian Armed Forces. Recently, it was announced that Amitabh Bachchan’s grandson, Agastya Nanda, will be making his acting debut with the film ‘Ikkis’, where he will play the role of Indian Army Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal. The film is based on the life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, who played a pivotal role in the 1971 Indo-Pak War. In this blog post, we will delve into the life of Arun Khetarpal and explore what makes him an inspiration for the film ‘Ikkis’.
Arun Khetarpal was born on October 14, 1950, in Pune into a distinguished military family. His father, Brigadier M.L. Khetarpal, was a retired officer of the Indian Army, and his mother, Mrs. Radha Khetarpal, was a homemaker. Arun was the youngest of three siblings, and his family had a long tradition of serving in the Indian Armed Forces. From a young age, Arun was fascinated by the stories of his father’s bravery and wanted to follow in his footsteps.
Arun studied at the prestigious Lawrence School in Himachal’s Sanawar, where he developed a strong sense of discipline and patriotism. He was an excellent student and excelled in sports, particularly boxing and hockey. After completing his schooling, Arun joined the National Defence Academy (NDA) in 1967, where he underwent rigorous training to become a commissioned officer in the Indian Army.
Arun’s training at the NDA was marked by his exceptional bravery and leadership skills. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the 17 Poona Horse regiment of the Indian Army in 1971, just before the outbreak of the Indo-Pak War. The war was sparked by the Bangladesh Liberation War, where India supported the liberation of Bangladesh from Pakistani rule.
On December 16, 1971, Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal was part of the Indian Army’s 17 Poona Horse regiment, which was tasked with liberating the town of Shakargarh in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The regiment was faced with heavy artillery fire and minefields, but Arun led his troops with courage and determination. He destroyed several enemy tanks and infantry positions, despite being heavily outnumbered.
During the battle, Arun’s tank was hit by an enemy shell, and he was severely injured. Despite his injuries, he continued to fight and led his troops to victory. However, he succumbed to his injuries and was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military honor, for his exceptional bravery and sacrifice.
Arun Khetarpal’s story is an inspiration to millions of Indians, and his bravery and sacrifice will always be remembered. The film ‘Ikkis’, which is based on his life, is a tribute to his memory and a celebration of his courage and patriotism. Agastya Nanda, who plays the role of Arun Khetarpal in the film, has said that he was deeply inspired by Arun’s story and felt honored to play the role of such a brave and selfless officer.
The film ‘Ikkis’ is a biographical drama that explores Arun’s life, from his childhood to his days at the NDA and finally, his bravery in the 1971 Indo-Pak War. The film promises to be an emotional and thrilling ride, with stunning action sequences and heartfelt moments. The film’s trailer, which was released recently, has already generated a lot of buzz, with many praising Agastya Nanda’s performance as Arun Khetarpal.
In conclusion, Arun Khetarpal’s story is an inspiration to us all, and his bravery and sacrifice will always be remembered. The film ‘Ikkis’, which is based on his life, is a tribute to his memory and a celebration of his courage and patriotism. We hope that the film will inspire a new generation of Indians to learn about the sacrifices of our armed forces and to appreciate the bravery and selflessness of officers like Arun Khetarpal.
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