120 Bahadur highlights the valor of 120 Indian soldiers, led by Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, who fought against a Chinese force of 3000 during the November 1962 clash in Ladakh, ultimately sacrificing their lives to protect the vital Chushul valley.
In the Battle of Rezang La, only six soldiers from the Charlie Company, 13 Kumaon Regiment, survived the relentless Chinese assault. Farhan Akhtar portrays Bhati, who leads his men into a dire situation, making the film a compelling Bollywood war drama that successfully balances action and emotional depth.
The 1964 film Haqeeqat, directed by Chetan Anand, explores the same conflict with a focus on camaraderie among soldiers who share linguistic and regional ties. It presents a time before identity politics dominated the narrative, highlighting the close connections within the group, exemplified by the war cry, “Dada Kisan Ki Jai,” and foreshadowing their bond even in death.
Despite its limitations, the film effectively showcases the ‘120 bahadurs’ uniting to defend their land from Chinese invaders, utilizing minimal weaponry leading to intense hand-to-hand combat. The final hour of the film, filled with battle scenes, compensates for the earlier personal flashbacks portrayed in a song reminiscent of ‘Sandese Aate Hain’ from the 1997 film ‘Border’, also penned by Javed Akhtar.
How much of Shaitan Singh and his wife’s backstory is fictionalised is unclear, but a Holi song featuring them appears unnecessary. The Chinese commanders are portrayed as belligerent, while their Indian counterparts express disbelief about the battle, which feels odd, especially since they are issuing orders through a radio operated by a rookie radioman who ultimately survives, albeit frostbitten and nearly frozen.
These powerful moments do not overshadow the film’s focus on the battlefield, where Bhati and his team, portrayed convincingly by debut actors, fight heroically until the end, evoking deep emotions of pride and sacrifice.
120 Bahadur movie features a cast including Farhan Akhtar, Raashii Khanna, Sparsh Walia, Dhanveer Singh, Sahib Verma, Brijesh Karanwal, Atul Singh, Vivaan Bhatena, Ankit Siwach, Ajinkya Deo, and Eijaz Khan.
