The highly anticipated war drama 120 Bahadur, starring Farhan Akhtar, has finally hit theatres today, November 21. Inspired by true events from the 1962 Sino-Indian War, the film promises intense action and a tribute to bravery. Early reactions, however, show that while the film has its highs, it struggles to keep viewers engaged throughout.
120 Bahadur Movie Review: Farhan Akhtar Starrer Gets Mixed Response From Netizens
Audiences have shared mixed reviews on social media. One viewer wrote, “#FarhanAkhtar’s war drama is not any better than the tons of other war dramas seen each year. The actor’s performance lacks energy and feels forced, while the rest of the cast performs barely decently. Only #VivanBhatena is great in his role. The film starts on an interesting note in the first half, but ends up being basic and boring in the second half. The technical aspects, like the locations, cinematography, and BGM, drive the film’s strengths. Meanwhile, the screenplay is boring, plain, and ordinary. Overall, #120Bahadur is a rare India-China war drama done wrong.”
Another viewer offered a more positive take: “#120Bahadur is an important film that is elevated by its subject, its visual spectacle & the courage it seeks to honour. The shortcomings in emotional depth, music & dialogues are noticeable, yet the film’s heart is in the right place.”
Check out some more reactions below
About The Film
The film recounts the heroics of 120 Indian soldiers during the Battle of Rezang La in 1962. It focuses on Major Shaitan Singh Bhati and his Charlie Company of the 13th Kumaon Regiment. Ordered to retreat, Major Bhati and his men choose to hold their ground, defending a strategic airbase in Ladakh against a much larger Chinese force. The story is based on the account of surviving radio operator Ramchander Yadav, who documented the battalion’s final stand.
120 Bahadur highlights the courage, sacrifice and determination of these soldiers, most of whom were Ahirs from Haryana. The film portrays their struggles in the harsh, high-altitude terrain of the Himalayas, from relentless rifle fire to hand-to-hand combat. The final sequences depict the legendary last stand of Major Bhati and his men, paying tribute to one of India’s most heroic military moments.
Farhan Akhtar leads the cast as Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, undergoing rigorous military-style training for authenticity. Raashii Khanna plays his wife, Shagun Kanwar, while Sparsh Walia portrays radio operator Ramchander Yadav. The supporting cast also includes Ankit Siwach, Vivan Bhatena and Eijaz Khan, alongside several newcomers trained intensively to portray soldiers convincingly.
The film runs for 137 minutes and features cinematography by Tetsuo Nagata, capturing the stunning yet harsh landscapes of Ladakh. The action sequences were designed by the team behind the Oscar-winning All Quiet on the Western Front. The soundtrack includes a tribute song, “Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon,” sung by Lata Mangeshkar. Special screenings for the Indian armed forces were also held. However, the film faced some controversy, with members of the Ahir community arguing that the title and focus on a single protagonist overshadowed the collective sacrifice of the soldiers.
Overall, 120 Bahadur is a visually impressive war drama with strong performances and moments of heroism. While the story starts engaging, uneven pacing and narrative shortcomings in the second half prevent it from being a fully satisfying watch.
