Who is Arun Khetarpal, inspiration for Agastya Nanda’s ‘Ikkis’?
The upcoming film ‘Ikkis’ has been generating a lot of buzz, especially with the news that Amitabh Bachchan’s grandson, Agastya Nanda, will be making his acting debut in the film. What’s even more exciting is that Agastya will be playing the role of Indian Army Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, a hero of the 1971 Indo-Pak War. But who was Arun Khetarpal, and what makes his story so inspiring?
Arun Khetarpal was born on October 14, 1950, in Pune into a distinguished military family. His father, Brigadier Chandran Khetarpal, was a decorated army officer, and it was only natural that Arun would follow in his footsteps. Arun’s early life was marked by a strong sense of patriotism and a desire to serve his country. He studied at the prestigious Lawrence School in Himachal’s Sanawar, where he developed a strong foundation in academics and extracurricular activities.
In 1967, Arun joined the National Defence Academy (NDA), where he underwent rigorous training to become a commissioned officer in the Indian Army. After completing his training, Arun was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the 17 Poona Horse regiment, an armored corps unit of the Indian Army. It was during this time that Arun’s bravery, leadership skills, and sense of duty would be put to the test.
The 1971 Indo-Pak War was a pivotal moment in Indian history, and Arun Khetarpal played a key role in the conflict. On December 16, 1971, Arun’s unit was tasked with attacking a Pakistani position in the Shakargarh sector. As the Indian troops advanced, they came under heavy fire from the Pakistani army. Arun, who was just 21 years old at the time, showed extraordinary courage and leadership, inspiring his men to fight on despite being outnumbered and outgunned.
As the battle raged on, Arun’s tank was hit by a Pakistani shell, and he was severely injured. Despite his injuries, Arun continued to fight, refusing to abandon his tank or his men. In the end, Arun succumbed to his injuries, but not before destroying several Pakistani tanks and inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy.
Arun Khetarpal’s bravery and sacrifice did not go unnoticed. He was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military honor, for his actions during the 1971 Indo-Pak War. The citation for his award reads: “Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal was born on 14th October 1950, at Pune. He was commissioned into the 17 Poona Horse on 13th June 1971. On 16th December 1971, during the Indo-Pak Conflict, the squadron commander of ‘B’ Squadron, the Poona Horse, was killed in action. Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, who was the second-in-command of 17 Horse, was given the command of the squadron with the objective of capturing the enemy position in the Shakargarh sector. He led the squadron with courage and determination, overrunning the enemy position, capturing a large number of prisoners and inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. Though seriously wounded in this action, he continued to fight till he succumbed to his injuries.”
Arun Khetarpal’s story is an inspiration to millions of Indians, and it’s no wonder that his life and bravery have been chosen as the subject of the film ‘Ikkis’. Agastya Nanda, who plays the role of Arun in the film, has a tough task ahead of him, but it’s clear that he’s deeply passionate about the project. In an interview, Agastya said, “I feel honored to be playing the role of Arun Khetarpal. His story is a testament to the bravery and sacrifice of the Indian Army, and I hope to do justice to his memory.”
The film ‘Ikkis’ is expected to release soon, and it will be interesting to see how Agastya Nanda brings Arun Khetarpal’s story to life on the big screen. For now, we can only salute the bravery and sacrifice of Arun Khetarpal, a true hero of the Indian Army.
Watch the trailer of ‘Ikkis’ here: https://www.youtube.com/watch
As we wait for the film’s release, let’s take a moment to remember the sacrifices of Arun Khetarpal and the countless other soldiers who have given their lives for our country. Their bravery and selflessness are an inspiration to us all, and it’s our duty to honor their memory.
In conclusion, Arun Khetarpal’s story is a powerful reminder of the bravery and sacrifice of the Indian Army. His life and actions are an inspiration to us all, and it’s no wonder that his story has been chosen as the subject of the film ‘Ikkis’. We can only hope that the film does justice to his memory and inspires a new generation of Indians to follow in his footsteps.
News Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch
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