Bollywood just witnessed the birth of another bright star and this one comes straight from the Khanna-Kumar household. Simar Bhatia, Akshay Kumar’s niece and the daughter of his sister Alka Bhatia, has officially stepped into the world of cinema with Sriram Raghavan’s much-anticipated war drama Ikkis.
The film, headlined by Agastya Nanda, marks not only a significant moment in Simar’s life but also a heartfelt one for her famous family. And true to their warm, expressive selves, both Akshay and Twinkle took to social media to celebrate her first cinematic step with pride that could light up the screen itself.
Akshay Kumar, sharing the trailer of Ikkis, wrote an emotional note that instantly melted hearts: “My little Simi’s not so little anymore… From your living room performances to the big screen in #Ikkis, heart bursting with pride! @simarbhatia. And Agastya, what screen presence! Wishing the whole team huge success.”
For Akshay, who has built a career on discipline, passion, and consistency, watching his niece follow a dream so close to his heart must feel like a poetic full circle.
Twinkle Khanna, known for her sharp wit and emotional candor, shared the trailer with a message that felt tender and true to her style:“Our Simar Bhatia now belongs to the world. So refreshingly natural. Well done, my talented little one.”
Twinkle’s message feels like both a send-off and a celebration, full of warmth and wonder.
In Ikkis, Simar plays a young woman whose love and faith anchor Agastya Nanda’s character, Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, amid the chaos of war. Her screen presence is refreshing- gentle yet confident, subtle yet soulful. Even in the trailer’s brief glimpses, she leaves an impression, not through heavy dialogue, but through her authenticity.
Her chemistry with Agastya radiates innocence, and her performance already hints at emotional maturity rare for a debutante. There’s a quiet strength in her eyes — the kind of quality that draws the camera toward her rather than the other way around.
Directed by master storyteller Sriram Raghavan, Ikkis narrates the inspiring story of Param Vir Chakra awardee Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, the youngest Indian soldier to be honoured for extraordinary bravery during the 1971 Indo-Pak war. The film features Agastya Nanda in the lead, alongside Dharmendra, Jaideep Ahlawat, and Suhasini Mulay, with Simar Bhatia marking her cinematic debut.
For Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna, this is more than a family milestone, it’s a moment of seeing the next generation carry forward the creative legacy in their own voice.