Farhan Akhtar returned to the big screen after four years with 120 Bahadur, released on November 21. His last film as an actor was Toofan in 2021. In 120 Bahadur, he plays Major Shaitan Singh Bhati in a patriotic war drama based on the 1962 Battle of Rezang La. Despite the film’s strong subject and Farhan’s star power, the opening day numbers were underwhelming, raising questions about his box-office appeal.
120 Bahadur Box Office Collection Day 1
The film collected an estimated Rs 2.35 crore on its first day, with overall occupancy at just 8.58%. Morning shows began at a low 4.52%, rising slightly to 6.58% in the afternoon. Evening screenings reached 8.53%, while night shows performed better at 14.7%. The film was released across around 2,725 screens nationwide. Delhi–NCR had the most shows (766), but occupancy was only 8.25%. Mumbai had 456 shows and performed slightly better at 9.5%.
Produced by Excel Entertainment, the film fell short of expectations. It opened lower than their recent releases like Siddhant Chaturvedi’s Yudhra (Rs 4.5 crore) and Fukrey 3 (Rs 8.82 crore). Even compared to the 2025 war release Sam Bahadur starring Vicky Kaushal, which earned Rs 6.25 crore on Day 1, 120 Bahadur trails significantly. Compared to Akshay Kumar’s Sky Force, which had over Rs 12 crore on opening day, Farhan’s film earned nearly 80% less.
120 Bahadur Box Office Collection Day 1: Rs 2.35 cr net
120 Bahadur is a serious war drama, portraying the last stand of 120 Indian soldiers against a vastly larger Chinese force. Its intense patriotic tone may not appeal to viewers looking for light weekend entertainment. Mixed word-of-mouth so far suggests there is still a chance for growth over the weekend, with the film aiming to collect Rs 8–10 crore over the first three days.
Historically, military dramas perform well only when they combine patriotic emotion with mass appeal, strong star power or real-life relevance, as seen with hits like Border and Uri.
About The Film
Directed by Razneesh Ghai, 120 Bahadur runs for 137 minutes. The story is narrated by a radio operator and survivor of the battle, played by Sparsh Walia. Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, played by Farhan, leads Charlie Company against 3,000 Chinese soldiers. Despite being outnumbered, the 120 Indian soldiers refuse to retreat, fighting to their last man and bullet. The film celebrates courage, brotherhood, and determination in extreme conditions.
The cast also includes Raashii Khanna as Major Bhati’s wife Shagun, Vivan Bhatena as Jemadar Surja Ram, Ankit Siwach as Ramlal and supporting roles by Ajinkya Deo and Eijaz Khan. Amitabh Bachchan provides the voiceover narration.
Critics praised the film for its respectful portrayal of an important chapter in Indian military history. Battle sequences were highlighted for their authenticity and technical brilliance, with cinematography by Tetsuo Nagata and a gripping background score. Sparsh Walia’s performance and the supporting cast were also appreciated.
However, some viewers felt the emotional depth was lacking. Critics noted a gap between the intense war scenes and personal stories, and a song sequence felt out of place. Farhan Akhtar’s casting drew mixed reactions, with some questioning whether his urban accent and mannerisms suited the rural background of Major Bhati.
