- By Swati Singh
- Fri, 12 Sep 2025 04:23 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Excel Entertainment, led by Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar, is known for delivering some of Indian cinema’s most impactful stories, and their next big venture, 120 Bahadur, is already creating massive anticipation. Headlined by Farhan Akhtar, the war epic shines a spotlight on the iconic yet lesser-spoken Battle of Rezang La during the 1962 India-China War. Set against the unforgiving Himalayan winter, the film will capture the grit, sacrifice and extraordinary bravery of the soldiers who stood their ground against impossible odds. Director Razneesh ‘Razy’ Ghai spoke about the scale at which the project has been mounted, revealing the meticulous preparation and effort that went into recreating this unforgettable chapter of history.
Razneesh said, “The scale is absolutely humongous. Imagine shooting at 14,000 feet above sea level with a crew of 600 people, operating massive equipment - cranes, lighting trucks, weapons, and hundreds of extras, in those extreme conditions. At times, we were filming at minus 8 degrees at night. It was outstanding, though everyone was freezing; the amount of work that got done was incredible.”
He explained, “Think of it : 120 Indian soldiers fighting 3,000 Chinese soldiers in the Himalayas. How can you not have scale? Standing in Ladakh itself makes you feel so small, and no camera lens can truly capture what the naked eye sees.”
Razneesh added, “The action, the explosions, the hand-to-hand combat, the battle sequences—they all unfold on a massive canvas. We’ve shot a finale that runs almost 35 minutes long. I don’t think anyone has ever attempted something like this in India. And importantly, our battle is realistic. Super realistic. I don’t want to make movies that defy gravity. I want people to believe this battle actually happened to feel like they are right there, inside the war. We even brought in snow specialists from England, people who had worked on Game of Thrones, to create authentic snowstorms. The real battle took place at 17,000 feet, in minus 24 degrees, amidst blizzards, so authenticity was key.”
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120 Bahadur is based on a true story
The highly awaited teaser of 120 Bahadur was recently unveiled, offering a powerful glimpse into the epic tale of courage it will portray. Inspired by true events, the film recounts the heroic story of 120 Indian soldiers who stood their ground during the 1962 Battle of Rezang La, marking one of the most valiant last stands in history.
Directed by Razneesh ‘Razy’ Ghai and produced by Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar (Excel Entertainment), and Amit Chandrra (Trigger Happy Studios), the film is an Excel Entertainment production. Releasing in cinemas on November 21, 2025.