Mumbai, 1 January – The new year holds special significance not only for Bollywood but also for the nation. The year 2026 started with the release of the patriotic film ‘Ikkees’. This trend will continue throughout the year, with several highly anticipated films showcasing stories of national pride and bravery. The lineup includes war dramas, biopics, and historical films that highlight the courage of Indian soldiers and the sacrifices of freedom fighters on the big screen.

The first film, ‘Ikkees’, released on 1 January, is directed by Sriram Raghavan. Lead actor Augustya Nanda plays the role of Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal. The late actor Dharmendra appears as his father, while Jaideep Ahlawat also holds an important role. The film is based on the 1971 India-Pakistan war and portrays the bravery of Arun Khetarpal, the youngest Param Vir Chakra awardee, who destroyed several enemy tanks and sacrificed his life at the young age of 21. The film also marks the debut of Simar Bhatia.

January promises even more patriotic releases, with ‘Border 2’ scheduled for release on 23 January. This sequel to the 1997 superhit ‘Border’ is directed by Anurag Singh. Sunny Deol returns in the lead role, joined by stars Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty. The film is based on true events from the 1971 India-Pakistan war, showcasing the extraordinary bravery of Indian soldiers during the Battle of Longewala.

Following the box office success of ‘Dhurandhar’, its sequel ‘Dhurandhar 2’ is set to release on 19 March. Directed by Aditya Dhar, this spy thriller features Ranveer Singh in the lead role along with Sanjay Dutt, Akshay Khanna, and others. Building on the original’s success, the sequel continues the story of revenge, blending espionage, action, and patriotism. The shooting has already been completed.

Fans eagerly awaiting Salman Khan’s next film have good news. His much-awaited movie ‘Battle of Galwan’ will release on 17 April. Directed by Apoorva Lakhia, the film stars Salman Khan alongside Chitrangda Singh. It is based on the real 2020 Galwan Valley clash where Indian soldiers bravely fought against the Chinese army. The film pays tribute to the valor of Colonel B. Santosh Babu and honours the sacrifices of the soldiers.

Also expected this month is ‘Alpha’, directed by Shiv Ravali and part of Yash Raj’s spy universe. The film stars Alia Bhatt and Sharvari Wagh in lead roles, with Bobby Deol and Anil Kapoor in important roles. ‘Alpha’ focuses on thrilling missions of two female agents and promises to be packed with action.

In August, Prabhas’s film ‘Fauji’ is likely to release around Independence Day on 15 August. Directed by Hanu Raghavapudi, this period drama set before independence will depict the stories of soldiers on screen.

– (Udaipur Kiran)