120 Bahadur

120 Bahadur (transl. 120 Bravehearts) is an upcoming Indian Hindi-language war film directed by Razneesh ‘Razy’ Ghai and produced by Excel Entertainment and Trigger Happy Studios. The film stars Farhan Akhtar as Major Shaitan Singh and Raashii Khanna as Shaitan's wife, Shagun Kanwari Singh. The film recounts the Battle of Rezang La, considered one of the major events of the Sino-Indian War and fought on 18 November 1962, when 120 soldiers of the Charlie Company, 13 Kumaon Regiment entirely made up of Ahirs defended their post against a 3000-strong Chinese Army contingent, inflicting on them over 1300 casualties. ^[1] The film portrays Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, who was posthumously conferred the Param Vir Chakra which is India's highest military honor; for his bravery against all odds in the Battle of Rezang La.^[2][3] The film is slated for a theatrical release on 21 November 2025.

Based on a true story, the film depicts the account of the battle as recollected by an injured soldier, one of the 6 survivors who had participated in the Battle of Rezang La. The film retraces the valiant act of Major Shaitan Singh Bhati along with 120 Ahir soldiers, who refused to vacate the post and instead chose to fight till the last man, last bullet. Shaitan Singh was posthumously conferred the Param Vir Chakra, which is India's highest military honor; for his bravery against all odds in the Battle of Rezang La. Besides Shaitan Singh, other soldiers were also awarded gallantry awards, including 8 Vir Chakra, 1 Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, and 4 Sena Medal. The battle fought on 18 November 1962 saw 120 soldiers fighting in a famous last stand against a repeated onslaught by a 3000-strong Chinese contingent before being overrun. In the end only 6 Indian soldiers survived.^[4]

• Farhan Akhtar as Major Shaitan Singh Bhati^[5]
• Raashii Khanna as Shagun Kanwari Singh
• Ankit Siwach
• Vivan Bhatena
• Dhanveer Singh
• Sahib Verma
• Sparsh Walia
• Ajinkya Deo as Brigade Commander^[6]
• Eijaz Khan as Commanding Officer
• Ashutosh Shukla
• Atul Singh^[7]
• Brijesh Karanwal
• Devendra Ahirwar
• Digvijay Pratap
• Mrunal Thakur
• Paresh Rawal^[8]
• Hussain Dalal

The first-look poster of the film was released on 18 November 2024, as a tribute on the 62nd anniversary of the Battle of Rezang La, which is recognised as a legendary battle fought on the freezing heights of Eastern Ladakh. ^[9] Based on the true story, the film marks the return to acting for Farhan Akhtar after three years of Toofaan (2021). In the film he portrays the role of Major Shaitan Singh Bhati.^[10] While music is being composed by Amit Trivedi; the lyrics have been penned by acclaimed poet and lyricist, Javed Akhtar who is also father of Farhan Akhtar. While Tetsuo Nagata, a Japanese-born French cinematographer has been recruited as DOP for the film.^[7][11] Rameshwar S. Bhagat has been recruited as editor for the film.^[12]

The film's dialogue have been written by Sumit Arora and screenplay is by Rajiv G Menon.^[13] In order to recreate the battle scene with authenticity, the makers of the film brought in Snow Business to recreate vast snow-covered landscape.^[14] For developing authentic looking action sequences for the film and to keep the theme intact, the producers roped in the same action team that worked on a recent Oscar-winning World War 1 film. During shooting in Ladakh, a team of over 600 was present to manage fighting and explosive scenes.^[15]To prepare for the film, lead actor Farhan Akhtar who is essaying the role of Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, and other actors underwent a significant transformation, with military-style training including hand-to-hand combat and acclimatisation for high altitude.^[8]

The film marks return to acting after three years for Farhan Akhtar after Toofaan as he portrays the role of Shaitan Singh. Apart from Farhan Akhtar, actor Ankit Siwach plays a pivotal role in the film.^[16] Raashii Khanna is set to play a female lead role opposite Farhan Akhtar.^[17] Apart from them Vivan Bhatena, Dhanveer Singh, and Sahib Verma are set to play important roles in the film.^[13] The film also stars Eijaz Khan, Mrunal Thakur, Paresh Rawal, Hussain Dalal in important roles.

Principal photography of the film commenced on September 4, 2024, in Ladakh with logistical support of Indian Army and has been shot in Ladakh, Rajasthan and Mumbai.^[18][19] A large part of the film has been shot in the high hills of Ladakh at a height of 14,000 feet where actors battled not just temperatures of -10 degrees Celsius but also a lack of oxygen.^[20] In late January the final schedule of the film was held in Jaipur, Rajasthan over 10 days where flashback scenes related to Farhan's character Shaitan Singh were shot. The 15-day Mumbai schedule was concluded in December 2024.^[21] Filming in harsh terrain of Ladakh was difficult, even Eijaz Khan considered a fit actor suffered breathing trouble in 2nd day of the shoot. ^[22]

The film is in post production work including editing, sound design, and VFX, which started soon after shooting was over. ^[23]

The first-look poster of the film was released on 18 November 2024, as a tribute on the 62nd anniversary of the Battle of Rezang La, which is recognised as a legendary battle fought on the freezing heights of Eastern Ladakh. ^[24] The official teaser of the film was released on 5 August 2025 in Mumbai, where Narpat Singh, the son of Shaitan Singh was also present.^[25][26] An official poster of the film was released a day earlier.^[27] The teaser has been attached to release with War 2 in cinema theatres. ^[28] The producers are creating an extended marketing campaign to raise awareness for the film. ^[29]

The film is scheduled for theatrical release in India on 21 November 2025, just 3 days after 63rd anniversary of the legendary battle.^[7] The film will be Farhan Akhtar's first ever IMAX release as an actor. The teaser release function was held at a multiplex in Mumbai, where the teaser was also released on IMAX. The film is being distributed by AA Films.^[30]

• 120 Bahadur at IMDb