Director – Sriram Raghavan
Cast – Agastya Nanda, Dharmendra, Jaideep Ahlawat, Simar Bhatia
Duration – 143 minutes
Add Zee News as favorite source
Rating- 4 stars
Writer- Sriram Raghavan, Arijit Biswas, Pooja Ladha Surti
Veteran filmmaker Sriram Raghavan takes a heroic story and narrates it with great sensitivity and humanity, without any hype, this film is about courage, emotions and the turmoil of war, which leaves an indelible mark on everyone’s life. Although it is a biographical war drama, rooted in emotion rather than bombast, it tells the story of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, India’s youngest Param Vir Chakra recipient, without resorting to familiar tropes. The film unfolds with decency and dignity and maintains the human element throughout the film.
The filmmaker deliberately chooses the two timeline narrative to make it impactful and strengthen the narrative and it works. The first timeline introduces us to the Battle of Basantar which took place in December 1971, as a young and fearless 21-year-old Arun Khetrapal leads his tank regiment across a dangerous, heavily mined area. He is brave, charming and full of immense heart, it is heart-touching to see his youthful and innocent energy on the big screen.
War is a scary and chaotic business, but the makers have chosen a different approach rather than going overboard, keeping the war scenes tense and intense. Raghavan avoids chauvinism, instead focusing on the psychological pressure faced by a young officer witnessing war for the first time.
actor Agastya Nanda is playing the role of Arun Khetrapal, Bring integrity and dignity to your role. He plays a young, confident and idealistic army officer who is brave enough to lead but reckless enough to disobey a direct order, which only establishes his character’s age and temperament. He’s not our typical reel-hero, he’s as real as we’ve ever seen on the big screen. His adventure unfolds gradually through action and intuition rather than dialogue or background score.
One of the most powerful moments of the film is Arun’s refusal to leave his burning tank despite repeated orders to retreat. This scene plays out not as cinematic heroism but as something inevitable, rooted in the values that define it. There’s a raw edge to Nanda’s performance that makes the sacrifice feel personal rather than symbolic.
And now the second timeline, which is more mature and emotionally driven, is set in 2001, and it forms the emotional backbone of the entire film.
Dharmendra seen in the role of Brigadier ML Khetarpal A father continues to live with the burden of his son’s sacrifice decades later. He meets another war-veteran, Brigadier Khawaja Mohammed Nasir, portrayed with quiet authority by Jaideep Ahlawat, changing the dynamics of the film, with the film’s story becoming quieter, more meaningful and contemplative – bearing the scars of war. And thankfully this part isn’t about history or political scores, it’s about memory, the pain of losing someone, about those left behind to collect the pieces and extract some meaning from life. Two battle-hardened brigadiers, looking back at what it took from them.
veteran actor Jaideep Ahlawat gave his best performance, He is restrained yet full of emotions, he is controlled yet one can easily understand his pain. His character is reflective, measured, and deeply aware of the long shadow of war. The scenes she shares with Dharmendra are some of the best in the film, based on silence, shared glances and unspoken understanding. Their journey across old couples, familiar places and ultimately the battlefield takes the film to its emotional high point.
Dharmendra, in what is unfortunately his last screen role, delivers a devastatingly surreal performance. His physical appearance and demeanor require no dialogue, his eyes communicate pride, sadness and unresolved grief. His presence just lights up the screen. His scenes with Ahlawat feel honest and earned, one of the most moving moments in recent Indian cinema.
Visually, Twenty One prioritizes realism over grandeur. The VFX work is subtle and effective, especially during the tank battle sequences, which feel heavy, claustrophobic and dangerous. Nothing seems exaggerated. Every explosion and maneuver serves a story, focusing firmly on the soldiers rather than the spectacle.
The music and background score of the film follows the same restrained philosophy. The score never overpowers any scene, instead quietly supporting moments of tension and reflection. In battle sequences, natural sounds of battle are given priority. In the 2001 timeline, the music becomes sparse and introspective. The dialogue is also economical and purposeful – the lines resonate because they’re honest, not because they’re dramatic.
Raghavan’s direction is assured And gave assurance. He allows silence to have meaning and trusts the audience to engage without constant explanation. The screenplay, co-written with Arijit Biswas and Pooja Ladha Surti, is tightly woven, smoothly balancing the two timelines without losing emotional clarity. Every scene serves a purpose. Simar Bhatia as Kiran, Arun’s love interest, leaves a strong impression despite limited screen time. His character offers a glimpse into Arun’s life, which adds emotional texture without distracting from the central narrative.
From a production standpoint, Twenty One signals Maddock Films’ growing commitment to content-driven cinema. The studio known for experimenting with genres takes a measured risk by backing a film that prioritizes emotional truth over formula. The care taken in historical detail and storytelling reflects a project built with intention rather than calculation.
At its core, Twenty-One is a film about what’s left after a war ends. It speaks of love, duty, loss and belonging – emotions that transcend boundaries and uniforms. By choosing empathy over anger and memory over message, the film achieves something rare. It honors sacrifice without glorifying violence and respects history without turning it into propaganda.