After directing Hrithik Roshan as a soldier in Lakshya years ago, Farhan Akhtar is now returning to the big screen — this time portraying a real-life soldier himself in his highly anticipated film 120 Bahadur. The makers unveiled the film’s teaser on Tuesday, and it narrates a powerful tale of valour, courage, and above all, sacrifice by 120 Indian soldiers who bravely confronted 3,000 Chinese troops during the 1962 Battle of Rezang La, a pivotal episode in the Sino-Indian War.
The teaser shows Farhan portraying Major Shaitan Singh Bhati of Kumaon Regiment of the Indian Army, who led the Indian soldiers during the Battle of Rezang La. He laid down his life in battle and was posthumously awarded India’s highest military decoration, the Param Vir Chakra. The teaser begins with an officer questioning a wounded soldier in a hospital about the events that unfolded in Rezang La during the war. The following visuals depict Indian soldiers facing relentless artillery attacks by Chinese forces.
The Indian soldiers are shown preparing for combat in harsh weather conditions, with temperatures dropping even below –24 degrees. Despite the extreme cold, Farhan’s Shaitan Singh appears unperturbed and fully focused on preparing for the battle ahead.
Watch 120 Bahadur teaser | Farhan Akhtar
He addresses his battalion, reminding them that wearing the Indian Army uniform demands not only courage but also the willingness to sacrifice one’s life. He urges them to be ready to lay down their lives for the nation. He further declares that he is willing to sacrifice his life and the lives of his men, but what he cannot accept is defeat. “Mujh peechhe hatena manjoor nahi hai,” he says. The teaser then transitions into powerful visuals of the fierce clash between the two nations.
Directed by Razneesh ‘Razy’ Ghai and produced by Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar (Excel Entertainment), and Amit Chandrra (Trigger Happy Studios), the film is set to release in theatres on November 21, 2025. Farhan will be returning to the big screen after a four-year hiatus — he was last seen in Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s Toofaan. 120 Bahadur also stars Vivan Bhatena, Ankit Siwach, Eijaz Khan, and Raashii Khanna in pivotal roles.
Battle of Rezang La
Battle of Rezang La is considered one of the few bright spots in the War of 1962 with China. Rezang la is situated 16,000-feet above the sea level amid even higher mountains that surround the strategic village of Chushul that is crucially important for access to leh.
China attacked 13 Kumaon’s C Company, guarding the area, on November 18 but the Indian soldiers were able to repulse them with relentless rifle, machine gun and mortar fire, causing heavy casualities on the Chinese. They returned with four-to-one numerical superiority and while our soldiers held the post, many of them were martyred. Even failing here, the Chinese then attacked the Indian positions from the rear while keeping up the artillery and mortar barrage and eventually succeeded in overrunning the platoon shortly before China’s ceasefire.
