In this interview with The Wire, director Sriram Raghavan opens up about his war film Ikkis, based on the legendary life of 21-year-old Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal of 17 Poona Horse, and the Battle of Basantar during India and Pakistan’s 1971 conflict. He speaks about the intense research, the challenges of recreating tanks and war scenes and the emotional father-son core of the film. When asked if sparking patriotism among the film’s viewers had been on his agenda, he responds instantly: ‘That would have been scary,’ and clearly explains why he did not want a pre-decided emotional or political tone to shape the story.