120 Bahadur team pays tribute to soldiers with Lata Mangeshkar's ‘Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon’, Kavi Pradeep’s daughter reacts

120 Bahadur

The second teaser of 120 Bahadur, Excel Entertainment and Trigger Happy Studios’ upcoming war drama, dropped on September 28—Lata Mangeshkar ji’s birth anniversary.

The big surprise was a moving tribute featuring Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon, the song that once made an entire nation cry. And even now, over sixty years later, the words of Kavi Pradeep ji still hit home.

The film, directed by Razneesh ‘Razy’ Ghai, is based on the 1962 India–China war and the heroics of 120 soldiers at Rezang La. The connection feels almost fated—the same war inspired Kavi Pradeep ji to pen the legendary anthem back in 1962.

Mitul Pradeep’s heartfelt words

Speaking about the inclusion, Mitul Pradeep, daughter of Kavi Pradeep and Secretary of the Kavi Pradeep Foundation, shared an emotional note.

“My father, Kavi Pradeep ji, wrote Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon as a tribute to Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, PVC, and the soldiers of Charlie Company, 13 Kumaon Regiment. Decades later, his words still carry the same emotion and remind us of their sacrifice,” she said. “I congratulate the makers of 120 Bahadur for honouring these heroes with my father’s lyrics.”

The song’s remarkable journey

Few know that the anthem’s origins are almost poetic. In late 1962, while walking along Mahim beach, Kavi Pradeep ji borrowed a pen from a stranger and scribbled the first lines on a cigarette foil. The composition by C. Ramchandra, brought to life by Lata Mangeshkar ji’s voice in 1963, became an instant part of India’s patriotic fabric.

Now, as 120 Bahadur gears up for its release on November 21, 2025, the teaser has already struck a chord with audiences. The song may be decades old, but its spirit continues to unite generations.

Also read: Zubeen Garg Island: Singapore renames landmark in tribute to Assam’s music legend

FAQsQ1: What is 120 Bahadur about?
120 Bahadur is based on the 1962 Battle of Rezang La, where 120 Indian soldiers fought bravely against overwhelming odds.

Q2: Why is Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon so significant?
Written by Kavi Pradeep ji and sung by Lata Mangeshkar ji, the song was a tribute to martyrs of the 1962 war and remains India’s most iconic patriotic anthem.

Q3: Who is directing 120 Bahadur?
The film is directed by Razneesh ‘Razy’ Ghai and produced by Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar, and Amit Chandrra.