120 Bahadur Movie Review: Farhan Akhtar’s War Drama is a Heartfelt Tribute to Unsung Heroes
When was the last time a Bollywood film made you sit in silence long after the credits rolled? That’s exactly what 120 Bahadur does. Released on November 21, 2025, this war drama directed by Razneesh “Razy” Ghai isn’t just another patriotic film—it’s a deeply moving tribute to 120 brave soldiers whose sacrifice deserves to be remembered.
The Forgotten Battle That Shook a Nation
Picture this: 120 Indian soldiers standing against 3,000 Chinese troops in the freezing, oxygen-thin heights of Ladakh. The year is 1962, and these men from Charlie Company of the 13 Kumaon Regiment know they’re vastly outnumbered. Yet, under the leadership of Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, they choose to hold their ground at Rezang La Pass, defending the Chushul Valley with everything they have.
This isn’t fiction. This actually happened. And somehow, most of us never heard about it until now.
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Why This Film Hits Different
Farhan Akhtar Delivers His Career-Best Performance
Forget the typical Bollywood hero theatrics. Farhan Akhtar’s portrayal of Major Shaitan Singh Bhati is all about quiet intensity and restrained leadership. He doesn’t need dramatic dialogues or over-the-top action sequences to make you feel the weight of command.
You see it in his eyes—the conflict between duty and the devastating knowledge that this mission might be his last. There’s a scene where he simply looks at his men, and you understand everything he’s thinking. That’s powerful acting.
The Supporting Cast Steals Your Heart
While Farhan anchors the film, it’s the ensemble of mostly fresh faces that truly brings this story to life. These aren’t just soldiers on screen—they’re farmers, brothers, sons. Sparsh Walia, playing the young radio operator whose memories frame the narrative, delivers a particularly touching performance.
Raashii Khanna, as Major Bhati’s wife, makes her limited screen time count. Though her romantic sequences occasionally feel like they’re from a different film (more on that later), she brings genuine warmth to every frame.
What Makes 120 Bahadur Worth Your Time
Battle Sequences That Give You Goosebumps
The final hour of this film is where everything comes together spectacularly. Cinematographer Tetsuo Nagata transforms Ladakh’s brutal landscape into something both beautiful and terrifying. Every frame feels carefully crafted—the stark white snow contrasted with the chaos of combat creates visually stunning moments.
But it’s not just about pretty shots. The hand-to-hand combat feels raw and real. You hear every gunshot, every breath in the thin mountain air, every moment of eerie silence before the next assault. The sound design deserves special mention—it doesn’t just complement the action, it amplifies the emotional impact.
Emotional Resonance Without Melodrama
Here’s what sets 120 Bahadur apart from typical war films: it doesn’t try to manipulate your emotions with background music swells or slow-motion sacrifice scenes. Instead, it trusts you to feel the gravity of what these men did.
The most powerful moment? When the end credits roll and list all 120 soldiers by name. It’s a simple gesture, but it hits you like a punch to the gut. These weren’t just characters—they were real people with families, dreams, and lives cut short.
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Where the Film Stumbles
Let’s be honest—no film is perfect, and 120 Bahadur has its share of issues.
The First Half Feels Familiar
If you’ve watched films like Uri, Shershaah, or Kesari, the first half might feel a bit déjà vu. The setup follows a predictable pattern—introducing characters, showing their rural backgrounds, establishing stakes. It’s not bad, just formulaic. You find yourself waiting for the film to get to the good stuff.
Those Unnecessary Songs
Why do Bollywood filmmakers insist on adding romantic songs to gritty war dramas? Just when you’re fully immersed in the tension and reality of the situation, a song sequence pulls you out. These musical interludes break the pacing and honestly feel out of place in a film that otherwise maintains such restraint.
Character Development Could Go Deeper
With 120 soldiers to honor, it’s understandable that the film can’t dive deep into every character’s story. But sometimes you wish you knew more about these men before their final stand. The emotional impact is there, but it could have been even more gut-wrenching with stronger individual connections.
The Numbers Game: Box Office and Reception
120 Bahadur didn’t explode at the box office on opening day, collecting a modest ₹2.25 crore. But here’s where it gets interesting—Day 2 saw a massive 78% jump to ₹4 crore, and the film crossed ₹10 crore in its opening weekend.
Word-of-mouth is clearly working in its favor, especially among defense families. The film received special screenings in 800 military theaters, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. On social media, viewers are calling it “inspiring,” “a must-watch for every Indian,” and “the best presentation of the Indo-China War 1962.”
Critics are more divided, with ratings ranging from 2/5 to 3.5/5, though most settle around 3/5. The audience score on IMDb stands at a respectable 7.4/10.
Should You Watch It?
Absolutely, yes—but manage your expectations.
If you’re looking for a revolutionary war film that reinvents the genre, this might not be it. But if you want a sincere, well-crafted tribute to forgotten heroes with gripping action sequences and genuine emotional moments, 120 Bahadur delivers.
Best Way to Experience It
Watch it in theaters. The battle sequences deserve a big screen, and the immersive sound design loses its impact on a laptop or phone. Take your family—this is the kind of film that sparks important conversations about sacrifice, duty, and the real cost of freedom.
The Bigger Picture
Beyond entertainment value, 120 Bahadur serves a crucial purpose: it brings attention to a chapter of Indian military history that most of us never learned in school. The Battle of Rezang La was one of the most heroic last stands in modern warfare, yet it remains relatively unknown outside military circles.
This film changes that. It gives these 120 warriors the recognition they deserved decades ago.
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Final Verdict: 3/5 Stars
120 Bahadur is a solid, respectful war drama that prioritizes authenticity over spectacle. Farhan Akhtar delivers a career-defining performance, the technical aspects are top-notch, and the emotional core is genuine. Yes, it has pacing issues and some unnecessary Bollywood tropes, but its heart is absolutely in the right place.
Director Razneesh Ghai has crafted a film that makes you feel—not just patriotic pride, but profound gratitude. As one viewer perfectly put it, the emotion “settles deep” and stays with you long after you leave the theater.
In a time when we’re bombarded with over-the-top action spectacles, 120 Bahadur stands out by choosing restraint and respect. It’s not perfect cinema, but it’s important cinema.
Rating: 3/5 Stars
Recommended for: Fans of Uri, Shershaah, military history enthusiasts, and anyone who appreciates stories of real heroism over fictional spectacle.
Runtime: Approximately 2 hours 15 minutes
Language: Hindi
Genre: War Drama, Historical
Director: Razneesh “Razy” Ghai
Cast: Farhan Akhtar, Raashii Khanna, Sparsh Walia, Dhanveer Singh, Vivaan Bhatena
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