Farhan Akhtar is back on the big screen after six years, and he’s bringing one of the most inspiring war stories India has ever witnessed. 120 Bahadur movie tells the incredible true story of the Battle of Rezang La from the 1962 Sino-Indian War, where 120 brave Indian soldiers faced 3,000 Chinese troops. Released on November 21, 2025, this emotional war drama is not just a movie—it’s a tribute to heroes who chose valor over survival.
What Makes 120 Bahadur Movie Special?
The Historic Battle That Inspired It
The Battle of Rezang La took place on November 18, 1962, when soldiers from Charlie Company, 13 Kumaon Regiment, defended their post at freezing heights of Eastern Ladakh, inflicting over 1,300 casualties on Chinese forces. The soldiers, entirely made up of Ahirs, fought till their last breath knowing they wouldn’t survive—but they never abandoned their position.
Why This Story Matters:
- 120 soldiers vs 3,000 enemy troops—incredible bravery against impossible odds
- Major Shaitan Singh Bhati was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military honor
- The battle prevented Chinese occupation of the entire Ladakh region
- It remains one of the most heroic last stands in military history
Farhan Akhtar’s Comeback Performance
Farhan Akhtar returned to acting after a six-year gap, following his 2019 film The Sky is Pink. In 120 Bahadur, he plays Major Shaitan Singh with remarkable intensity and authenticity.
Cast Highlights:
- Farhan Akhtar as Major Shaitan Singh Bhati (the fearless leader)
- Raashii Khanna as Shagun Kanwar (wife of Major Shaitan Singh)
- Sparsh Walia as Radio Operator Ramchander Yadav (breakout performance)
- Vivan Bhatena, Eijaz Khan, Ajinkya Deo in supporting roles
Critics praise Farhan’s terrific performance, noting how he underplays his part while showing his angry side as required, impressing in both avatars.
Behind the Scenes: Making of 120 Bahadur
The Creative Team
Director: Razneesh ‘Razy’ Ghai (bringing raw authenticity)
Producers: Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar (Excel Entertainment), Amit Chandrra (Trigger Happy Studios)
Writer: Rajiv G Menon with dialogue by Sumit Arora
Cinematographer: Tetsuo Nagata (capturing breathtaking Ladakh landscapes)
Music: Amit Trivedi, Salim-Sulaiman, Amjad Nadeem Aamir
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar
Visual Excellence
Shot by Tetsuo Nagata, the handsomely produced movie transports audiences to the chilly upper reaches of Ladakh, where tragedy and posthumous glory awaited the soldiers. The cinematography has been universally praised for its stunning visuals and authentic battle sequences.
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What Critics Are Saying About 120 Bahadur Movie
The Positive Buzz
The film grips viewers from the very first frame with its authenticity, featuring choreographed battlefield sequences that are realistic, gritty, and intense without unnecessary exaggeration.
Critical Acclaim:
- Background Score: Swells at all the right moments, deepening every emotion without overshadowing scenes
- War Sequences: Give viewers goosebumps with their raw intensity
- Emotional Impact: Audience members reported hearing sobs all around during screenings
- Performances: Every actor seemingly disappears into their character
Areas of Improvement
The film makes viewers wait for the pay-off, with the movie snapping to life mainly in scenes where soldiers are perishing one by one for their country. Some critics note that the first half follows routine patterns, though the war sequences more than make up for it.
Ratings Snapshot:
- India Today: 3/5 stars
- Bollywood Hungama: 3/5 stars
- Audience Reviews: Overwhelmingly positive on IMDB
- Critics consensus: “A sincere and stirring salute to heroes”
120 Bahadur Box Office Journey
Opening Weekend Performance
The film took a surprisingly low start with around Rs 2.25 crore on opening day, with an all-India average occupancy hovering around 4-5 percent. However, experts predict strong word-of-mouth could drive weekend growth.
Box Office Analysis:
- Day 1 Collection: ₹2.25-2.35 crore (lower than expected)
- Morning Occupancy: 4.52%
- Highest Regional Occupancy: Jaipur at 7%
- Competition: De De Pyaar De 2, Haq, The Taj Story, Mastiii 4
- Screen Count: Limited release strategy of 900-1,000 screens
Why The Slow Start?
Despite glowing reviews and patriotic content, the film faced challenges:
- Limited marketing reach in B and C centers
- Competition from multiple releases
- Niche war drama genre appeals more to elite audiences
- Strategic limited release rather than wide distribution
Expert Prediction: Film business expert Rohit Jaiswal initially expected an opening day collection of around Rs 5-6 crores, though actual numbers came in lower. The film now depends heavily on strong word-of-mouth over the weekend.
Record-Breaking Achievements
Highest Altitude Film Screening Ever
120 Bahadur made cinematic history with an unprecedented screening at the Rezang La War Memorial Auditorium in Chushul village, Ladakh, at 16,452 feet—marking the highest-altitude film release ever.
Special Screenings:
- 14 shows at Rezang La memorial for soldiers and local residents
- First film ever screened at defence theatres across India
- Over 800 cinema halls exclusively for defence community
- Paid preview shows held on November 18, 2025, commemorating the 63rd anniversary of the Battle of Rezang La
Musical Tribute
The second teaser released on September 28, 2025, featured the iconic song “Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon” sung live by Lata Mangeshkar, released on her 96th birth anniversary as a tribute to fallen soldiers.
Controversies Surrounding 120 Bahadur
The Title Debate
The film faced significant controversy from the Ahir community over its title.
The Issue:
- Ahir Yadav leaders in Gurgaon threatened to stall the release in Haryana, demanding the film be renamed “120 Veer Ahir,” claiming the current title insults their martyred soldiers
- Protestors blocked NH-48 on October 28, 2025, for several hours
- Some demanded the setting up of a separate Ahir Regiment
- Farhan Akhtar addressed these accusations while promoting the film on Aap Ki Adalat, explaining the reason behind naming it 120 Bahadur
Resolution
The Delhi High Court dismissed petitions challenging the release, and producers assured they would honor all martyrs appropriately in the film.
Why 120 Bahadur Movie Deserves Your Attention
More Than Just A War Film
The film’s true power lies not in its action, but in its heart—it doesn’t glorify war, it humanizes the warrior, reminding audiences that true bravery isn’t about wielding a gun, but about carrying the weight of responsibility, duty, and sacrifice.
What Makes It Stand Out:
- Authenticity: No “been-there-done-that” Bollywood melodrama
- Educational: Younger generation learns about real sacrifice
- Emotional Depth: Focus on duty over personal backstories
- Technical Excellence: World-class cinematography and sound design
- Historical Accuracy: Film depicts events as mentioned in government documents
Audience Reactions
Viewers have been deeply moved by the experience:
“No one stirred till the last of end credits had rolled. I could hear sobs all around. This is one movie that the younger generation must watch. Once they watch 120 Bahadur, a few of their definitions like struggle, options and luxury will change drastically”—Preview Show Attendee
Common Themes in Reviews:
- “The ending part made me cry”
- “The letter Major Shaitan Singh wrote to his son really hits hard”
- “Full entertaining and informative movie”
- “Can be watched with full family”
- “A must-watch patriotic film”
The Verdict: Should You Watch 120 Bahadur Movie?
Absolutely YES, if you appreciate:
- Authentic war dramas based on true events
- Powerful performances by talented actors
- Stunning cinematography and technical excellence
- Stories of real Indian heroes
- Films that educate while entertaining
Maybe wait for OTT if:
- You prefer commercial masala entertainers
- War films aren’t your genre
- You’re looking for light-hearted weekend viewing
120 Bahadur stands as a sincere and stirring salute to the heroes of Rezang La, powered by immersive war detailing and a commanding performance by Farhan Akhtar. While it may not break box office records immediately, it will undoubtedly earn respect as an important cinematic tribute to India’s military heroes.
Where to Watch 120 Bahadur
Theatrical Release: November 21, 2025 (currently in cinemas)
Runtime: 2 hours 17 minutes
Language: Hindi
Genre: War Drama, Historical, Action
Certificate: UA (suitable for family viewing)
OTT Release: Expected in early 2026 (platform TBA)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
120 Bahadur is a war drama based on the historic Battle of Rezang La from the 1962 Sino-Indian War. The film tells the true story of 120 Indian soldiers from Charlie Company, 13 Kumaon Regiment, who fought valiantly against 3,000 Chinese troops to defend Ladakh, with most making the ultimate sacrifice.
Farhan Akhtar plays the lead role of Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, the commanding officer who led the brave soldiers at Rezang La. This marks Farhan’s return to acting after a six-year gap since his 2019 film The Sky is Pink.
120 Bahadur was released in theatres on November 21, 2025. Special paid preview shows were held on November 18, 2025, to commemorate the 63rd anniversary of the Battle of Rezang La.
Yes, 120 Bahadur is entirely based on the true events of the Battle of Rezang La that took place on November 18, 1962, during the Sino-Indian War. The film depicts events as documented in government records.
Major Shaitan Singh Bhati was the commanding officer of Charlie Company, 13 Kumaon Regiment. He led his men in the heroic Battle of Rezang La and was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military honor, for his exceptional bravery.
Conclusion
120 Bahadur movie is more than just entertainment—it’s a chapter of Indian history brought to life with passion, authenticity, and respect. The film portrays Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, who was posthumously conferred the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military honour, for his bravery in the Battle of Rezang La.
While the box office numbers might not reflect the film’s true worth immediately, cinema is also about preserving stories that matter. This is one such story—of 120 soldiers who chose honor over life, duty over safety, and country over self.
Farhan Akhtar’s return to acting couldn’t have been in a more meaningful project. Whether you’re a fan of war dramas, Indian history, or simply great storytelling, 120 Bahadur deserves your time and ticket money. It’s a film that will make you proud, emotional, and grateful for those who protect our borders while we sleep peacefully.
As one viewer aptly put it: “This is one movie that the younger generation must watch.” We couldn’t agree more.
