120 Bahadur (2025) Review!!

Synopsis – Valiant Indian soldiers fight against Chinese troops during the 1962 Sino-Indian War, preventing a potential occupation of Ladakh region in the Battle of Rezang La.

My Take – While the world awaits the arrival of the much unneeded sequel to Border (1997) in two months, another starry affair that is once again expected to lean on generic chest-thumping and predictable chants as it slides into noisy jingoism rather than offering layered storytelling, we are forced to sail through a glorious exception.

A tale of uncommon valor, directed by Razneesh Razy Ghai (Dhaakad) and written by Rajiv G. Menon (Dhaakad), that relives the battle of Rezang La, where only 120 Indian brave hearts from the plains, led by Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, held back 3000 Chinese soldiers, giving up their lives to save the crucial Chushul valley in Ladakh, during the Sino-Indian war on November 21, 1962.

And being structured with technical prowess and necessary emotional heft, we are left with a war film that acts as an excellent retelling that gives both heart and mind their due on the battlefield. But most importantly, aligns with the beats and the attitude of modern times, without diluting the details of the military maneuver in favor of just delivering a moist-eyed, heartfelt tribute.

Sure, the film occasionally stumbles on emotional pacing, and allows some clichés to creep into the storytelling, but the phenomenal second half, the evocative final stretch and the overall sincerity behind the making overrides its shortcomings.

It may not be a genre-defining epic, but it deserves time and attention, especially for the men who followed the real Shaitan Singh into sure death. And considering it’s the 63rd anniversary of the battle, it leaves viewers with a deep sense of respect, fullness and gratitude for these real heroes whose bravery shaped one of the most remarkable chapters in Indian military history.

Beginning three days after the battle, the story mostly follows Ramchander Yadav (Sparsh Walia), the radio operator and one of the 6 survivors who had participated in the Battle of Rezang La and made it out of the corpse-strewn mountainside alive, who while recovering from his injuries, recounts the events to Lt Col H.N. Dhingra (Eijaz Khan).

Building up to the moment when 120 brave soldiers of the Charlie Company of the Kumaon Regiment, consisting of mainly Ahir soldiers from the plains of Haryana and Rajasthan, led by Major Shaitan Singh (Farhan Akhtar), refused orders to retreat, mounted a heroic last stand, fighting hand-to-hand and to their last bullet and last man, inflicted heavy casualties on the Chinese army, forcing them to declare a unilateral ceasefire.

Here, director Razneesh Razy Ghai takes us through an engaging blend of small character backstories, camaraderie, sharp wit and quietly simmering emotional threads that define Shaitan Singh’s small yet electrifying regiment, reminding us these men as people like, not just uniforms. And as we know these men will walk into a battle that is destined to swallow them, an attachment forms almost with them as we sit through an atmosphere heavy with an impending sense of loss.

The script also takes a firm stance in reminding the viewer that Shaitan Singh was a rare military mind, a leader with sharp instincts and unshakable grit, along with a surprising level of humanity. Thankfully the character never feels like a worship figure but rather a simple man whose legendary status came alive through the choices he made and the people he protected. The highlight is the scene where a cornered Shaitan takes down a smug Chinese general by his sheer courage and presence of mind.

Though the Rezang La incident was previously covered in filmmaker Chetan Anand’s much-acclaimed black-and-white film, Haqeeqat (1964), director Razy Ghai takes full advantage of technological advances to mount a visually captivating viewing experience.

With cinematographer Tetsuo Nagata‘s skill, the handsomely produced film transports audiences to the chilly upper reaches of Ladakh, where the numbers defy logic and no amount of tactical brilliance could possibly tilt the odds in India’s favor. The final act blends heartbreak with awe in a deeply affecting manner. The battle rages with destructive force but the emotional toll settles quietly, allowing the viewers to feel the courage of the men without being forced into sentimentality.

What truly pierces the heart is the realization that this story almost disappeared from public knowledge and would have remained buried under snow if not for the three month search that uncovered the bodies once the ice began to melt. The film frames this revelation with chilling clarity and the impact lingers long after the credits.

Performance wise, Farhan Akhtar is excellent in reliving the legend of Shaitan, by embodying a role that demands quiet authority and unyielding resolve with striking authenticity. He transforms a revered historical figure into a deeply human leader whose calm demeanor masks the raging storm inside. Raashii Khanna appears briefly in a role that adds a small yet meaningful touch without demanding unnecessary attention. Ajinkya Deo and Eijaz Khan are amiable in their roles.

However, it is the acting ensemble that is nothing short of exceptional and one of the film’s strongest achievements. Sparsh Walia, Dhanveer Singh, Sahib Verma, Devendra Ahirwar, Ankit Siwach, Atul Singh, Brijesh Karanwal, Ashutosh Shukla and Vivan Bhatena deliver standout performances. Their chemistry never feels forced or melodramatic, but naturally woven into the narrative and this is what allows the emotional impact of the battle to deepen. On the whole, ‘120 Bahadur’ is a compelling war drama anchored by its performances, technical prowess and emotional heft.