120 Bahadur (2025) Review: A Sincere Salute Held Back by Formula

This 120 Bahadur review starts with a simple point: the film has a remarkable true story and treats it with real respect. Directed by Razneesh Ghai, this Hindi war drama dramatises the Battle of Rezang La, fought during the 1962 Sino-Indian War. It is sincere and well staged, but it does not always find the emotional depth its material deserves.

120 Bahadur Review: The Story So Far (No Spoilers)

The 120 Bahadur plot is rooted in history. In November 1962, 120 soldiers of Charlie Company, 13 Kumaon Regiment, hold a high-altitude post at Rezang La in the Ladakh region. Their commander is Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, played by Farhan Akhtar, who was later awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military honour.

The script by Rajiv G. Menon spends its early stretch introducing the men and their bonds, then moves toward the confrontation that gives the film its name. I will leave the details of the battle to the screen. What matters is the setup: a small, under-equipped unit, a freezing landscape and an enemy that vastly outnumbers them.

It is a classic war-film premise, and the film leans on that familiarity. The tagline, "We will not back down," tells you exactly what spirit the film is chasing.

What Works in 120 Bahadur

The action is the film's strongest card. Critics have praised the battle sequences for their clarity and for a grounded grasp of military manoeuvres, and that matches the feel of the film. You can follow who is where and why, which many war dramas fail to manage.

The visuals also help. Bollywood Hungama called Tetsuo Nagata's cinematography spectacular, and the stark Himalayan setting gives the story a sense of isolation and scale. The cold, empty terrain does a lot of the storytelling about how exposed these men were.

The tone is another plus. This is a heartfelt tribute rather than a jingoistic spectacle, and its respect for the soldiers is easy to feel.

• Clear, well-organised combat scenes

• Striking mountain photography

• A genuine sense of reverence for the real soldiers

120 Bahadur Cast and Performances

The 120 Bahadur cast is led by Farhan Akhtar as Major Shaitan Singh. His performance is widely seen as the film's greatest asset, and it deserves that praise. He plays the officer with calm authority and restraint, avoiding the loud heroics that this kind of role often invites.

Around him, the supporting players give the company a human face:

• Sparsh Walia as Ramchander Yadav

• Ankit Siwach as Ramlal

• Vivan Bhatena as Suraj Ram

• Dhanveer Singh as Hariram Singh

• Brijesh Karanwal as Jairam Kaka

The ensemble is believable and gives the soldiers some personality. The problem is not the actors but the writing, which rarely lets individual characters grow beyond a few broad traits.

Where 120 Bahadur Stumbles

The biggest weakness is the screenplay. Many reviewers felt the narrative follows a familiar template and misses the emotional resonance such a powerful true story should carry. Bollywood Hungama described the first half as very ordinary, and the pacing there does drag before the fighting begins.

Critical opinion is split. The Hollywood Reporter India's Rahul Desai gave it 2/5 and called it a misfire, while other critics were far kinder. That gap shows how much the film depends on whether you accept its conventional approach.

The film also struggled commercially. Wikipedia lists it as a box-office bomb with roughly ₹20 crore worldwide, which is a shame for a film made with obvious care. You can read more background on the film's Wikipedia page.

Is 120 Bahadur Worth Watching?

Yes, if you value sincerity and well-made war action over originality. The film is not a masterpiece, but it honours a real act of courage and delivers solid battle scenes anchored by a strong lead performance.

Audience response has been warmer than the critical one, with IMDb sitting around 7.0 and Rotten Tomatoes showing a 73% Tomatometer from a small number of reviews. If you want a reflective character study, you may find it thin. If you want a respectful, well-shot tribute, it works.

It also sits comfortably alongside other action movie reviews and war movie reviews on this site, and it will appeal to anyone curious about this chapter of history. For more on the genre, see our drama movie reviews.

Who Will Enjoy 120 Bahadur

• Fans of true-story war dramas and Indian military cinema

• Viewers who want clear, grounded battle sequences

• Anyone who admires Farhan Akhtar and wants to see him in a serious, restrained role