120 Bahadur , directed by Razneesh Ghai , is a well-made war drama that doesn’t rely too heavily on patriotic high notes, but instead lets the audience feel the true valour of Major Shaitan Singh and his 120 brave soldiers through its grounded filmmaking style and real location execution.
This was a story long due, finally brought alive on screen with dignity. The film revisits the night of 18th November 1962, where 120 soldiers of the 13 Kumaon Regiment, under the command of Major Shaitan Singh, stood their ground in sub-zero conditions and fought till the last bullet, the last breath, to hold back thousands of Chinese troops.
And then comes the part that history will forever remember —
One entire Chinese regiment, numbering over a thousand, was stopped by just 120 Indian soldiers. Their sacrifice prevented the capture of the Chushul airbase and much of Jammu & Kashmir.
That’s the history of Rezang La .
Coming to the film . I really don’t want to over judge it, because some stories are bigger than cinema itself. But one thing I must mention is its breathtaking cinematography by Tetsuo Nagata . The way he captures the vast, silent glory of Rezang La is simply stunning raw, cold, and reverent. Hats off to the makers, especially Farhan Akhtar, for choosing to shoot at real locations, at such a brutal altitude where even standing is exhausting. Filming there feels almost unreal to imagine.
For me, this film was personal something I connected to from my SSB days, when I first read about Rezang La and sat in awe of those men. Watching that bravery play out on screen felt like a long-awaited moment finally fulfilled.
Jai Hind.
And heartfelt respect to all those soldiers who sacrificed their present for our future.
Did You Know?
- The film is based on the real-life Battle of Rezang La fought on 18 November 1962, when 120 soldiers of the 13 Kumaon Regiment defended the mountain pass in Ladakh against waves of enemy attack.
- The unit was led by Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, who was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra India’s highest military honour for his bravery that day.
- 120 Bahadur was the first film to release in 800 defence theatres of India .also it is considered as the movie shot on world.
- It is the first ever film to be screened at Rezang La War Memorial Audiotorium ,Ladakh at 16,452ft making it the highest altitude film screening ever attempted,
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