Director Siddharth P. Malhotra has officially wrapped filming for Ikka, a high-octane action thriller headlined by Sunny Deol and Akshaye Khanna, and the moment is nothing short of emotional for the filmmaker. Marking the completion of his fourth directorial project, Malhotra shared a heartfelt note reflecting on a journey he describes as his most challenging and transformative so far.
Taking to social media, the filmmaker revealed that Ikka tested him both creatively and personally. Calling it a journey that pushed his limits, Siddharth admitted he is still processing what the experience has meant to him. According to him, the film changed him in ways that will stay for life, shaping not just the story on screen but also the storyteller behind the camera.
At the heart of his gratitude were the film’s leading men, Sunny Deol and Akshaye Khanna. Siddharth expressed deep admiration for Deol, calling it an honour to work with the actor, while praising Akshaye Khanna’s screen presence, describing him as “magical” in every frame. He also applauded the powerful contributions of Tillotama Shome, Dia Mirza, Sanjeeda Sheikh, Akansha Ranjan Kapoor, and Jyoti Mukerji, crediting each of them for adding emotional depth and authenticity to the narrative.
The director didn’t shy away from acknowledging the creative backbone of the film — the writers. He described Ikka as his toughest project yet and credited the writing team for crafting a story that challenged him daily. According to Siddharth, the struggles faced during production ultimately shaped the soul of the film, and he hopes audiences will feel even a fraction of the passion poured into it.
Behind the camera, Malhotra reserved special praise for his director of photography, calling him not just a collaborator but a pillar of strength throughout the shoot. He also thanked his associate director and the entire assistant director team for ensuring precision and consistency at every step, no matter how demanding the circumstances.
One of the most personal moments in his note was dedicated to the film’s producer and his wife Sapna Malhotra. Siddharth credited her unwavering belief and leadership for making the film possible, calling her the heart of Ikka. He also acknowledged the production team for pulling off what he described as “daily miracles” during the shoot.
Extending his gratitude further, the director thanked the production designer for building the world of Ikka with realism and texture, and expressed appreciation for the support and trust from Netflix India, which is backing the project.
Concluding his message, Siddharth P. Malhotra described Ikka as far more than just another film. For him, it is a deeply personal creation built on collaboration, resilience, and faith. As anticipation builds for the Sunny Deol–Akshaye Khanna starrer, one thing is clear: Ikka arrives carrying not just action and scale, but the heart and soul of everyone who helped bring it to life.
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