The official teaser of “120 Bahadur” has finally been released, and it’s nothing short of powerful. With Farhan Akhtar stepping into the boots of Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, this upcoming Hindi war drama takes us back to one of the most heroic yet underrepresented stories from the 1962 India-China war. Backed by Excel Entertainment and directed by Razneesh Ghai, the film will hit theatres on 21st November 2025.
Also starring Raashii Khanna in a key role, the teaser offers a glimpse into grit, patriotism, and the harsh reality of war. From snow-laden battlefields to soul-stirring dialogues, 120 Bahadur promises to be a tribute to the 120 brave Indian soldiers who stood their ground in Rezang La against all odds.
🔥 First Impressions: A Teaser That Commands Attention
The teaser doesn’t waste time getting into the mood—it’s intense, visually striking, and emotionally gripping. It begins with the haunting silence of a snow-covered landscape, interrupted by radio static and gunfire. Enter Farhan Akhtar as Major Shaitan Singh, dressed in olive green, with fierce determination in his eyes.
Key highlights from the teaser include:
- Sweeping shots of the icy terrain in Ladakh
- Soldiers training, preparing, and standing tall despite the odds
- Emotional, evocative background music layered with dialogue
- Glimpses of combat that feel grounded in reality, not over-the-top action
There’s a quiet intensity throughout the teaser—one that reflects the seriousness of what’s at stake.
🎖 Who Was Major Shaitan Singh?
Before diving deeper into the film, it’s worth knowing the man Farhan Akhtar is portraying. Major Shaitan Singh Bhati was a real-life Indian Army officer who led Charlie Company of the 13 Kumaon Regiment during the Battle of Rezang La in 1962. With only 120 soldiers under his command, he held off thousands of Chinese troops, displaying unmatched bravery until his final breath.
Posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest wartime gallantry award, Major Singh’s story is one of sacrifice, leadership, and honour. It’s a tale that many feel deserved to be told on the big screen long ago.
👥 The Cast & Crew: Bringing the Story to Life
- Farhan Akhtar: Known for his versatility and dedication, he transforms completely into the character of Major Singh. From physical training to emotional depth, his portrayal in the teaser feels deeply respectful.
- Raashii Khanna: While her character is not fully revealed in the teaser, her presence adds a softer emotional layer to the story.
- Razneesh ‘Razy’ Ghai (Director): Previously known for stylish filmmaking, Ghai takes a different route here, focusing on realism and emotional truth.
- Producers: Excel Entertainment (Farhan Akhtar, Ritesh Sidhwani) and Trigger Happy Studios bring both scale and substance to this ambitious project.
🎬 Realism Over Spectacle
What makes 120 Bahadur stand out from typical Bollywood war films is its choice of realism over glamour. The teaser doesn’t show bombastic dialogues or unnecessary slow-motion shots. Instead, it gives us:
- Boots trudging through snow
- Soldiers writing letters back home
- Frostbitten fingers loading rifles
- Commanders making painful choices
It’s a gritty, grounded portrayal that respects its subject rather than dramatizing it for box office effect.
🧊 The Setting: The Frozen Frontline
Shot in extreme weather conditions, the film’s visuals capture the bitter cold and high-altitude challenges that the soldiers faced at Rezang La—a remote mountain pass in Ladakh. The snow-covered silence in the teaser is eerie and powerful, reminding viewers that not all battles are fought in the noise of gunfire—some are battled in the silence of endurance.
Cinematographer Tetsuo Nagata deserves praise for capturing both the vastness and claustrophobia of war zones—wide-angle drone shots give way to close-ups that reveal fear, courage, and vulnerability on soldiers’ faces.
🕊️ Not Just a War Film — A Tribute
This film isn’t just about gunfire and uniforms—it’s about honouring courage. It aims to shine a spotlight on unsung heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for their nation. What makes the teaser especially moving is its emotional core: the bonds between soldiers, the weight of leadership, and the silence that follows battle.
Farhan’s dialogue in the teaser, “We may be few, but our will is stronger than their numbers,” encapsulates the spirit of the 120 Bahadur.
🎵 Music and Background Score
While the teaser doesn’t feature any full songs, the background score is impactful. Subtle yet stirring orchestration heightens the emotional beats, letting the visuals and dialogues take centre stage. Expect the full soundtrack to include patriotic themes and soulful tributes, likely composed by a prominent Indian music director.
📆 Release Date and Expectations
120 Bahadur will release in theatres on 21st November 2025, just ahead of the winter season—a fitting time to revisit this chilling chapter of Indian military history. With the buzz around the teaser already picking up online, expectations are sky-high. Many are drawing comparisons to Hollywood’s Dunkirk or India’s Shershaah, but 120 Bahadur seems to be carving its own identity—focused less on heroism and more on humanity.
💬 Public Reaction So Far
Early social media responses and film community reactions have been overwhelmingly positive:
- “Farhan’s transformation is jaw-dropping”
- “This is not a war film. It’s a poem about sacrifice.”
- “120 brave men. One mountain. One fight for the ages.”
People have also appreciated the decision to tell a lesser-known but incredibly important story from Indian history, rather than rehashing overdone narratives.
📌 Final Thoughts
The teaser for 120 Bahadur is more than just a promotional clip—it’s a powerful reminder of a forgotten moment in India’s military history. With a stellar lead, strong direction, and a commitment to realism, the film looks set to be both emotionally resonant and cinematically impactful.
If the full movie delivers on the promise of the teaser, it could easily become one of the most important war films in Indian cinema—one that tells a story worth remembering, long after the credits roll.
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