120 Bahadur Movie Review: Farhan Akhtar powers one of Hindi cinema’s finest war stories that restores Rezang La to memory

Farhan Akhtar stars in 120 Bahadur

‘120 Bahadur,’ directed by Razneesh ‘Razy’ Ghai, released in theatres on 21st November and stars Farhan Akhtar, Ajinkya Deo, Eijaz Khan, Sparsh Walia, and Vivan Bhatena.

A battle history forgot, until now

‘120 Bahadur’ brings back a forgotten chapter from Indian Army history, one marked by raw courage at every turn. It recalls the sheer grit shown by Major Shaitan Singh Bhati and the 120 soldiers of the 13 Kumaon Regiment’s Charlie Company, made up entirely of the Ahir community, as they held off Chinese forces during the 1962 Indo-China war. This was the moment when barely 120 Indian soldiers stood their ground against nearly 3000 Chinese troops. The film recreates these events with clarity, and a strong screenplay keeps the tension alive throughout. Director Razneesh ‘Razy’ Ghai sticks to a clean, direct narrative, and its simplicity becomes one of the film’s most striking strengths. It’s a stunning piece of work that stands apart in the Hindi war-film genre, both for its honesty and the dignity with which it remembers its heroes.

When a warning was ignored

The story follows Major Shaitan Singh Bhati (Farhan Akhtar) of the 13 Kumaon Regiment as he serves in the unforgiving stretches of Ladakh. When the army learns of China’s sudden move, the top brass gathers to plan how to stop their advance toward the Kashmir airbase. Shaitan Singh offers a clear assessment of the route the Chinese may take, but his warning is brushed aside as attention shifts to another area. When the enemy eventually comes through the path he predicted, the army finds itself at a disadvantage because of that miscalculation. That is when the Major steps forward and volunteers to take charge of Rezang La. The Battle of Rezang La becomes a defining moment of bravery, as Shaitan Singh and his 120 Ahir soldiers fight with unshakeable resolve. In the end, only the radioman survives, but their effort achieves exactly what was needed.

Inside the cold, quiet courage of Rezang La

This war drama works because it remains grounded and never pretends to be larger than life. It pulls you into the icy mountains of Ladakh in the winter of 1962 and makes you feel the bonds, the silences, and the small joys shared between the men. There is no loud music to force emotion and no attempt to dress up the scenes for extra effect. The supporting cast appears natural and believable, echoing the kind of stories we often hear from real veterans and their families. The introduction scene of Major Shaitan Singh is handled with care and instantly shows you the kind of man he was. Hindi films rarely create moments like these anymore—intro scenes that quietly reveal who a person is. The soldiers jokingly wrestling each other for chocolates, Shaitan Singh speaking softly to the villagers as he urges them to move to safety, and the Chinese officer placing a revolver into the hands of a frozen Shaitan Singh—these moments stay with you long after the film ends.

Rooted performances

Farhan Akhtar brings depth and warmth to the role, portraying the Major’s sharp mind, humour, and gentle nature with sincerity. The film gathers many lesser-known actors in supporting parts, and they all rise to the occasion. Sparsh Walia as radioman Ramchandra Yadav stands out with a steady and heartfelt performance, while Ankit Siwach, Dhanveer Singh, and Udaysinh Rajput add weight to the platoon. Ajinkya Deo as the Brigadier and Eijaz Khan as the CO leave a strong impact despite limited screen time. Raashii Khanna appears briefly as Shaitan Singh’s wife, though her presence does not influence the larger events of the story.

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A war story told without noise or pretence

‘120 Bahadur’ stays with a linear, clear-cut approach and avoids unnecessary twists. The war scenes feel painfully real, and you can almost sense the cold biting into the soldiers as many of them freeze during the battle. The story becomes even more important when you learn that the Chinese Army, sensing defeat after the Rezang La episode, wiped out traces of the event to avoid global embarrassment. It is also worth remembering that all this unfolded right after a ceasefire announcement. At 137 minutes, the film remains crisp and never overstays its welcome. It ends with a quiet but powerful reminder of courage and sacrifice and stands tall as a moving, dignified tribute to one of the Hindi war genre’s most remarkable tales.

Rating: 4/5