Jaideep Ahlawat's on-screen wife Ekavali Khanna on 'Ikkis': 'It is definitely not a pro-Pakistani film at any level'

Ekavali Khanna has responded to the pushback around ‘Ikkis’, saying the charge that it praises Pakistan is a bit absurd and arguing that the film speaks to humanity, not politics. Khanna, who plays Maryam, said the outrage ignores what the story is really about: grief, honesty, and the damage war leaves behind. After the film drew strong reactions in January 2026, she said she fully supports its intent and emotional focus.In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, Khanna opened up about the online criticism that accused ‘Ikkis’ of portraying Pakistan in a positive light. “It’s a very personal thing. So, I don’t think that I hold that place to criticize people who are uncomfortable with it. But I can speak for myself,” she said. She explained that the film takes a clear stance against war. “It is an anti-war film. These days, we are so lost in this whole jargon of animosity, enemy camp etc. This particular film reflects a lot beyond it,” Khanna said. She added that the story works on multiple emotional levels. “It is a moving story of a father and son. Also, it is a moving story even from the perspective of the Pakistani counterpart.”Khanna pushed back strongly against the label attached to the film. “This is a pro-humanity film. It is definitely not a pro-Pakistani film at any level,” she said. Referring to the sacrifice of Arun Khetarpal, she asked, “Then how, on earth, can it be called a pro-Pakistani film?”The criticism grew louder after the release of ‘Dhurandhar’, which arrived weeks before ‘Ikkis’ and drew praise for its hard stance. Khanna said comparisons between the two films were unfair. She recalled a conversation at an airport in which someone asked which film she would choose to work on.“I replied that I have already worked in ‘Ikkis’,” she said, while acknowledging the success of ‘Dhurandhar’ and its director Aditya Dhar. “He tells convincing stories one after another. As an actor, of course, I’d love to work with him.”Still, her creative choice was clear. “But creatively and in terms of sensitivity, I’ll always choose ‘Ikkis’ over ‘Dhurandhar’,” she said. Khanna added that such questions often aim for headlines. For her, the focus remains on what the film achieves. “What makes me happy is that thanks to this film, more people are going to know the story of Arun Khetarpal.”