Movie 21 A gritty war drama based on the courage and sacrifice of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal during the Indo-Pak war of 1971. It is not just a story of patriotism, but also shows the personal journey of a young officer, his values, training and father-son relationship in a sensitive manner. The core of the film is “Duty Above Self”, which is presented in a realistic approach, without glamour. Agastya Nanda gives a controlled and honest performance in the role of Arun. His acting is not overdramatic, but a believable portrayal of a disciplined soldier. Dharmendra as Arun’s father is the emotional anchor of the film—less dialogues, but deep emotions. This is believed to be his last on-screen performance, which makes the film special. Jaideep Ahlawat looks balanced and realistic in the role of a Pakistani officer. The direction is grounded, the background score is minimal and the war sequences are intense. The pacing is a bit slow and the story seems disjointed at some places, yet 21 An honorable tribute to those heroes who sacrificed everything for the country.
Bollywood News: A soldier, a father and a war: The quiet but strong story of the film ’21’ (01.01.2026)
