Mumbai: Farhan Akhtar returns to the big screen with a heavy heart and a fierce resolve. In 120 Bahadur he plays Major Shaitan Singh Bhati the Param Vir Chakra awardee who led 120 soldiers at the Battle of Rezang La in 1962. Farhan says the role carried an emotional weight unlike anything he has taken on before and that filming at high altitude in Ladakh added physical strain and authenticity to the performance.
Portraying a real life war hero brings extra responsibility. Farhan told Filmfare that he felt duty bound to honour the soldier the regiment and Major Bhati’s family. He spent nearly two months shooting in freezing Ladakh conditions which tested the cast and crew but helped bring authenticity to the film’s gritty battle scenes.
About 120 Bahadur
120 Bahadur retells one of India’s most valiant stand stories. It follows the 120 soldiers of Charlie Company 13 Kumaon Regiment who defended their post at Rezang La against overwhelming odds. The film aims to capture both the scale of the battle and the humanity of the men who fought with courage resourcefulness and sacrifice.
Cast
The film is directed by Razneesh Razy Ghai and produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani under Excel Entertainment in collaboration with Trigger Happy Studios. The cast includes Raashii Khanna Sparsh Walia Ankit Siwach Mrunal Thakur Paresh Rawal Ajinkya Deo and several others. Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan lends his voice as the narrator adding gravitas to the tale.
120 Bahadur runs for around two hours and 17 minutes and carries a U/A certificate for the theatrical release. The film is reported to have been made on a budget close to Rs 100 crore including post production costs.
The movie premieres in theaters November 21 2025 and has also been shown as a paid preview during the 50th anniversary of the battle. It was a first of its kind as the makers organized a special release at the defence theatres of India where the armed forces could get to watch the movie as a special rollout. This move is being termed as a first of a significant Hindi release and shows the strong ties of the film to the military history of India.
At 120 Bahadur, narratives of heroism and national memory are finding a great echo among audiences. The makers tried to be respectful to history and yet make a film that can be seen as a tribute to the soldiers and their story told with emotional undertones. Shooting under the actual high altitude setting and using a dedicated cast has been the key towards that ambition.
Directed by Razneesh Ghai and produced by Excel Entertainment and Trigger Happy Studios 120 Bahadur is a homage to the valour of the Rezang La soldiers and a reminder of the human toll of war. Look forward to the hard punching battle scenes authentic performances and a great emotional core that is delivered by Farhan Akhtar and the cast. Another history the film makes is to screen at the defence theatres and premier on November 21 2025. We can expect that audiences will see a respectful movie adaptation of a historic period in an Indian military history.
Also Read | Nayanthara gets a Rs 10 crore Rolls Royce Black Badge Spectre from Vignesh Shivan on her 41st birthday
