'It'll be India-Pakistan...': Sriram Raghavan RECALLS why the late Dharmendra said NO to ‘Agent Vinod’

After ‘Johnny Gaddar,' director Sriram Raghavan and the late actor Dharmendra wanted to work together again. That's how ‘Ikkis’ happened; however, it was Dharmendra's last movie role. Recently, Raghavan said he also offered 'Agent Vinod' (starring Saif Ali Khan) to Dharmendra. But the veteran actor said no because of the India vs. Pakistan story.

Dharmendra was offered the RAW head role in ‘Agent Vinod'

At a Screenwriters Association (SWA) event, Sriram shared how things unfolded post-’Johnny Gaddar.' “After Johnny Gaddar, I told him I want to work with you again, and he said, ‘Yes, of course.' When I was doing 'Agent Vinod', I remember we had written a role for the head of RAW, and his counterpart was going to be Zeenat Aman; we wanted her to be in Russia. So, it was an older and a younger story.” He recalled scripting a key RAW chief part opposite Zeenat Aman in Russia for the Saif Ali Khan film.

Dharmendra rejects ‘Agent Vinod’ over India-Pakistan angle

“But it was all in the writing stage. When I met him and told him about this role, he said, ‘RAW, head, yaar, tum log wahi (you guys do that), it’ll be India, Pakistan, I don’t want to do it.' He didn’t want to get involved in that; I said, ‘I respect that.’ Then, we didn’t pursue that track at all," added Sriram.

Dharmendra couldn't join due to scheduling conflicts

Earlier, Sriram explained that clashing shoot locations and timelines prevented Dharmendra from joining ‘Agent Vinod,' despite his interest. “We were shooting in different cities and had different schedules. It was a cameo for Agent Vinod, which was my next movie after Johnny Gaddaar. We are selfish as directors, and we think, ‘I want this actor again.’ When I got the story of Ikkis, I felt this was God-sent," he shared with PTI. The cameo was meant for his follow-up to ‘Johnny Gaddar,' but ‘Ikkis’ felt like a perfect divine opportunity later on.

Dharmendra reunites with Sriram for 'Ikkis'

Years later, the duo finally came together years afterward for 'Ikkis,' backed by Dinesh Vijan’s Maddock Films and released in theaters last December 2025. This biopic spotlights Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, India's youngest Param Vir Chakra recipient. Dharmendra took on the role of Arun's dad, ML Khetarpal.



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