With Ikkis scheduled for a theatrical release on January 1, anticipation around the film continues to rise steadily across audiences, trade circles, and social media platforms. The recently unveiled final trailer has sparked widespread excitement for its intense war sequences, emotional depth, and authentic portrayal of history. Amid this growing buzz, Shree Bishnoi’s performance as the iconic Famagusta Tank driver is emerging as one of the film’s most grounded and compelling elements.
Directed by Sriram Raghavan and produced by Maddock Films, Ikkis is based on the true story of Param Vir Chakra awardee Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, the youngest recipient of India’s highest military honour, and his heroic role during the 1971 Indo-Pak War portrayed by Agastya Nanda. While the film chronicles bravery on a grand scale, it also gives space to the soldiers who fought alongside the hero-men whose courage often unfolded quietly, away from recognition. Shree Bishnoi’s portrayal reflects precisely this spirit.
Shree essays the role of Sowar Parag Singh, the driver of the historic Famagusta Tank, a key symbol of the film’s battle narrative. The tank itself has already captured public attention during promotions and trailer visuals, standing as a powerful reminder of the war’s intensity. Within this striking imagery, Bishnoi’s performance brings realism and emotional depth, anchoring the spectacle in human experience.
As excitement builds ahead of the January 1 release, viewers have been responding strongly to Bishnoi’s presence in the trailer. His controlled body language, alert expressions, and disciplined posture convey the mindset of a soldier operating under constant pressure. Rather than relying on dramatic flourishes, Bishnoi allows silence, focus, and restraint to do the work-making his portrayal feel authentic and lived-in.
One of the trailer’s most widely discussed moments blends battlefield tension with grounded humour. A line referencing, “Pakistani murgi bhi dhava bol rahi hai,” followed by the confident response, “saalon ki biryani toh hum hi banayenge,” has already begun circulating online. Shree Bishnoi’s delivery in such moments feels natural and unforced, capturing the camaraderie and courage that often emerge even in the harshest circumstances of war.
Beyond dialogue-driven scenes, Bishnoi’s work inside the confined space of the Famagusta Tank stands out. His reactions during high-pressure combat moments communicate tension, resolve, and quiet fear without overt dramatization. These subtle choices add credibility to the war sequences and deepen the emotional texture of the film.
The emotional landscape of Ikkis is further shaped by poignant lines such as, “Yeh meri family hai… yeh bada beta Arun, yeh hamesha ikkis ka hi rahega,” and the evocative voiceover, “Uss dhuein aur barood ki boo… uss ek ladke ne hamari qismat badal di.” Within these moments, Bishnoi’s character acts as a silent witness to history, reinforcing the film’s human core.
Born on 15 October 1995 in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, and raised in Bikaner, Shree Bishnoi brings a strong foundation in theatre and disciplined training to his craft. A postgraduate from Dungar College, Bikaner, he has built his career through stage work, short films, and web projects such as Kaanchi (2023). His experience as an associate casting director with Suniel Shetty’s company has further refined his understanding of storytelling and performance.
As Ikkis moves closer to its January 1 theatrical release, excitement continues to grow around the film’s scale, emotional depth, and performances. For Shree Bishnoi, the film marks a defining milestone-one that showcases his ability to bring honesty, restraint, and quiet power to a historically significant role. His portrayal of the iconic Famagusta Tank driver ensures that audiences connect not just with the spectacle of war, but with the human spirit behind it.
