An Ambitious Retelling of a Pivotal Battle
In the freezing heights of Ladakh’s Rezang La pass, a legendary last stand unfolds. 120 Indian soldiers, vastly outnumbered and under-equipped, face off against thousands of Chinese troops in a battle that would become legendary. This is the story that “120 Bahadur“ brings to the screen, one of Bollywood’s most ambitious war dramas to date.
Released on November 21, 2025, this big-budget war epic stars Farhan Akhtar as Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, the Param Vir Chakra awardee who led 120 soldiers of the Charlie Company, 13 Kumaon Regiment during the 1962 Sino-Indian War . Directed by Razneesh Ghai and produced by Excel Entertainment, the film attempts to memorialize one of India’s most significant military engagements while grappling with the challenges of adapting real heroism for the silver screen.
The film arrives with considerable expectations – not just as a commercial entertainment, but as a tribute to actual heroes. As one soldier’s family member noted, “This is one movie that the younger generation must watch” . But does it succeed as both cinema and homage? The early reviews reveal a divided landscape.
The Critical Divide: Powerful Tribute or Missed Opportunity?
The Positives: Technical Brilliance and Emotional Punch
Many critics and viewers have praised specific elements that make “120 Bahadur” worth watching:
NDTV’s review highlights that the film is “consistently watchable because it is aware of where it is going and is able to get there without letting the pitfalls of the genre deflect it from its path” . The review particularly notes the film’s “refreshingly different timbre” compared to typical Bollywood war movies, especially being “shorn of jingoism” and “free of gratuitous frills” .
The technical achievements have drawn widespread acclaim. The cinematography by Tetsuo Nagata creates breathtaking visuals of the harsh Ladakh landscape, while the combat choreography captures the gritty realism of battlefield conditions . One viewer noted, “The extensively shot war scenes give you goosebumps” , emphasizing how the action sequences maintain intensity without excessive gore.
The emotional core of the story also resonates strongly, particularly in the second half. The sequence where soldiers break into the song “Yaad Aate Hain” while reminiscing about their families provides “emotional warmth to their characters” . Multiple viewers reported being moved to tears, with one noting, “No one stirred till the last of end credits had rolled. I could hear sobs all around” .
The Shortcomings: Familiar Treatment and Performance Questions
However, some critics argue the film doesn’t fully capitalize on its powerful source material:
Rediff’s review calls the film “underwhelming, adding little fresh perspective and generally feeling like a standard war drama we have seen umpteen times before” . This sentiment echoes through other critiques that note the film follows a familiar template despite its unique historical subject.
The most surprising criticism has targeted Farhan Akhtar’s performance. Despite his proven acting chops, Mayur Sanap notes that Akhtar “feels unusually stiff in the role of a soldier,” getting the “physicality and attitude right, but never fully inhabiting the character” . Firstpost’s review was even harsher, stating that “Major Shaitan Singh must be turning in heaven and howling to see the way Farhan Akhtar has played his part!” and criticizing the mismatch between Akhtar’s “urbane accent” and the rural background of the real Major Singh .
Some character development choices have also drawn criticism. While Major Shaitan Singh receives substantial backstory through flashbacks to his life in Rajasthan with his wife Shagun (Raashii Khanna), the other soldiers “receive minimal backstory, and the little that is included leans more on cliched doses of sentimentality than any genuine depth” .
Table: Critical Reception Summary
| Aspect | Praise | Criticism |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Execution | Brilliant cinematography, realistic combat choreography | – |
| Emotional Impact | Powerful second half, moving sequences | Weak emotional connection in first half |
| Performance | Strong supporting cast, especially Sparsh Walia | Farhan Akhtar’s stiff portrayal |
| Originality | Avoids jingoism, refreshing tone | Familiar treatment, follows standard war movie template |
Behind the Scenes: Production and Historical Context
Making a War Epic
The production of “120 Bahadur” was as ambitious as its subject matter. The film was shot extensively in Ladakh at 14,000 feet, where actors battled temperatures of -10 degrees Celsius and oxygen deprivation . The makers brought in Snow Business to recreate authentic snow-covered landscapes and recruited the same action team that worked on the Oscar-winning World War I film “All Quiet on the Western Front” to develop authentic battle sequences .
The cast, particularly Farhan Akhtar and the actors playing soldiers, underwent significant transformation with military-style training that included hand-to-hand combat and high-altitude acclimatization . Most actors playing soldiers were actually first-time performers who went through a grueling six-month program .
Box Office Performance and Audience Reception
Despite its scale and promotional momentum, “120 Bahadur” saw a muted opening at the box office, collecting approximately ₹2.35 crore on its first day . The film faced competition from adult comedy “Masti 4” and had to contend with spillover audience from other releases like “De De Pyaar De 2” .
The film has a budget of ₹100 crore, inclusive of promotion costs, and would need to cross ₹100 crore to be considered a hit . Early trade analysts suggest the film will need strong word-of-mouth and weekend growth to reach a sustainable opening weekend in the ₹8-10 crore range .
Audience reactions on platforms like BookMyShow have been considerably more positive than some critical reviews, with the film maintaining an 8.9/10 rating based on 540+ votes . Many viewers describe it as “inspiring,” “powerful,” and praise the “great acting” and “super direction” .
The Real History Behind the Film
“120 Bahadur” depicts the Battle of Rezang La, fought on November 18, 1962, during the Sino-Indian War . The battle saw 120 soldiers of the Charlie Company, 13 Kumaon Regiment – primarily consisting of Ahirs – defend their post against a 3000-strong Chinese contingent .
In what became a famous last stand, these soldiers fought “till the last bullet, to the last man” , inflicting over 1300 casualties on the Chinese forces before being overrun . Only 6 Indian soldiers survived the engagement .
Major Shaitan Singh was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military honor, for his leadership during this battle . Other soldiers received 8 Vir Chakras, 1 Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, and 4 Sena Medals .
The film’s narrative is built around recollections from one of the survivors, likely Ramchander Yadav, a radio operator whose accounts helped military hierarchy understand the full extent of the valor displayed that day .
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 120 Bahadur based on a true story?
Yes, the film is based on the true story of the Battle of Rezang La during the 1962 Sino-Indian War. It specifically portrays the heroic stand of 120 soldiers from the Charlie Company of the 13 Kumaon Regiment, led by Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, against a much larger Chinese force .
Who is Major Shaitan Singh, and what award did he receive?
Major Shaitan Singh Bhati was the commanding officer of the Charlie Company during the Battle of Rezang La. He was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military honor, for his extraordinary leadership and bravery in the face of overwhelming odds .
What is the budget of 120 Bahadur?
The film was made on a budget of ₹100 crores, inclusive of promotion costs .
How has 120 Bahadur performed at the box office?
The film had a relatively soft opening, collecting approximately ₹2.35 crore on its first day . Trade analysts suggest it needs strong weekend growth to reach a sustainable opening weekend in the ₹8-10 crore range .
What makes 120 Bahadur different from other Bollywood war movies?
According to several reviews, the film avoids excessive jingoism and focuses more on the human element of the soldiers. NDTV’s review specifically notes the film is “shorn of jingoism, free of gratuitous frills and delivered with fitting deference to the memory of the Indian soldiers” .
The Final Verdict: Should You Watch It?
“120 Bahadur” represents both the promise and pitfalls of Bollywood’s ongoing fascination with war dramas. On one hand, it’s a technically impressive film with breathtaking visuals, realistic battle sequences, and moments of genuine emotional power that do justice to the incredible real-life heroism it portrays. On the other, it struggles with familiar narrative tropes and a central performance that has divided critics.
If you’re a fan of war films or interested in this crucial chapter of Indian military history, “120 Bahadur” is certainly worth your time. Despite its flaws, it serves as an important tribute to soldiers whose sacrifice might otherwise remain unknown to younger generations. As one viewer perfectly summarized, “Once they watch 120 Bahadur a few of their definitions like struggle, options and luxury will change drastically” .
The film is now showing in theaters nationwide, including a historic high-altitude screening at the Rezang La War Memorial Auditorium in Chushul village, Ladakh, at 16,452 feet – potentially the highest-altitude film release ever .
