Suhasini Mulay Defends Ikkis Amid Trolling Over ‘Soft’ Portrayal of Pakistani Soldiers

Sriram Raghavan’s war drama Ikkis may not have made a strong impact at the box office, but it has continued to spark conversations for its sensitive and humane depiction of war. The film stars Agastya Nanda in the lead role, alongside Dharmendra and Jaideep Ahlawat, and was widely praised by critics for its restrained tone and compelling performances, even as it faced backlash on social media.

Much of the criticism centred on the film’s portrayal of Pakistani soldiers, with some viewers accusing Ikkis of being “soft” and even glorifying the enemy. Amid the controversy, actor Suhasini Mulay, who plays a supporting role in the Sriram Raghavan-directed film, has stepped forward to defend its narrative choices.

Speaking to journalists at the Gauhati Press Club on Sunday, Suhasini Mulay said the makers of Ikkis made a conscious decision to avoid portraying Pakistanis as “ghosts and demons”, instead choosing to present them as human beings. She added that the filmmakers were fully aware of the backlash such a portrayal could invite. “I was told by the scriptwriter that they were being trolled by people. If you are in this society in this era, then you will be trolled. So, you don’t make such films. You make The Kashmir Files, you will get your entertainment tax waived,” she said.