120 Bahadur hits the big screen today, bringing to life one of the most unbelievable yet true stories from India's military history. Imagine standing on a freezing mountain peak, just 120 men against 3000 enemy soldiers—that is the chilling premise of Farhan Akhtar’s latest film. After a long break from acting, Farhan is back in uniform, and he has picked a story that definitely deserves to be told. But does the movie do justice to the legend? Let's find out.
The Plot: 120 vs 3000
The movie takes us back to November 1962, to the icy heights of Ladakh. The story revolves around the Battle of Rezang La, where the Charlie Company of the 13 Kumaon Regiment, led by Major Shaitan Singh (played by Farhan Akhtar), faces a massive attack by the Chinese army. The odds are impossible. They are outnumbered, outgunned, and freezing in temperatures of -30°C. Yet, the order is clear: fight to the last man and the last bullet.
Director Razneesh ‘Razy’ Ghai doesn’t just show us the war; he tries to show us the men behind the guns. Most of these soldiers were from the Ahir community (Yadavs) from Haryana and Rajasthan, simple sons of farmers who carried stories of Lord Krishna and love for their motherland into the battlefield.
Performance: Farhan Steals the Show
Farhan Akhtar fans, you can breathe easy. He doesn’t play Major Shaitan Singh with loud, chest-thumping dialogues that we usually see in Bollywood war movies. Instead, he brings a "quiet authority." You feel his stress and his bravery through his eyes and his silence. It’s a mature performance that anchors the whole film.
The supporting cast deserves a special mention. Actors like Sparsh Walia (as the radio operator) and others playing the soldiers feel very real. They joke, they share chocolate, and they talk about their families, which makes it even harder to watch when the bullets start flying.
What Works and What Doesn’t
The Good Stuff:
Visuals: The cinematography is stunning. The camera captures the brutal beauty of the Himalayas perfectly. You almost feel the cold wind just watching it.
Action: The war sequences in the second half are intense and gritty. It’s not just random shooting; you see the strategy and the desperation.
Tribute: The movie is a sincere salute to the martyrs. It avoids unnecessary jingoism (excessive nationalism) and focuses on dignity and courage.
The Not-So-Good Stuff:
Pacing: The first half takes its sweet time to build up. You might find yourself checking your phone a couple of times before the real action begins.
Familiarity: We have seen many war movies recently (Shershaah, Uri), so some scenes might feel like "I have seen this before." The emotional beats are predictable, even if they are effective.
Verdict: Should You Watch It?
If you love war dramas or are a fan of Farhan Akhtar, 120 Bahadur is a must-watch. It might require a bit of patience in the beginning, but the climax delivers a powerful emotional punch. It is a solid 3.5-star movie that reminds us of the price paid for our safety.
Final thought: It’s a movie that will make you leave the theatre with a heavy heart but a head held high.
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