Agastya Nanda, who made a noteworthy acting debut with Zoya Akhtar’s The Archies, is gearing up for his second film, Sriram Raghavan’s Ikkis, where he shares the screen with Dharmendra and Jaideep Ahlawat.
In a recent conversation, Agastya, who underwent training in Pune for his role, discussed his preparation process. Describing himself as an admirer of the disciplined and principled army lifestyle, he mentioned that his experience in a boarding school offered a glimpse, albeit about 5%, of what life in the army might entail.
Agastya expressed how his respect for the nation and the army has deepened during his time in the regiment. He conveyed his heightened enthusiasm and dedication to do justice to their sacrifices, considering it a significant responsibility not to let them down.
Reflecting on his time with the regiment, Agastya recalled a stern warning from an army officer about handling the subject matter responsibly. He shared the officer’s advice, stressing the importance of preserving the portrayal of a revered hero. Despite finding the encounter more intense than expected, Agastya humorously recounted the experience to his mother.
Nervous about sharing the screen with seasoned actors like Dharmendra and Jaideep Ahlawat, Agastya acknowledged their seniority, particularly in Dharmendra’s case. Interacting with him was surreal, and Agastya hopes to learn a great deal from these esteemed figures. He shared his anticipation of a positive atmosphere on set, recalling the warm welcome he received during Jaideep Ahlawat’s look test. Agastya expressed his intention to observe and absorb as much as possible during the filming process.
The biopic revolves around the life of Arun Khetarpal, the youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra.
