The long wait is over! Excel Entertainment has finally released the gripping trailer for the historical war drama, ‘120 Bahadur’, starring Farhan Akhtar. The film vividly recounts the extraordinary true story of the Battle of Rezang La during the 1962 Sino-Indian War, where a mere 120 Indian soldiers heroically faced down a force of 3,000 to 5,000 Chinese troops.
Farhan Akhtar, returning to the screen after a three-year hiatus, steps into the revered role of Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, Param Vir Chakra awardee, in this Razneesh ‘Razy’ Ghai-directed spectacle, set to hit cinemas on November 21, 2025.
The trailer opens with the commanding voice of legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan, who sets the somber historical context. He reflects on the fractured relationship between India and China, noting how the initial ties of brotherhood were brutally shattered by China’s aggression in 1962, leading to the fateful, high-altitude conflict. This powerful narration immediately establishes the film’s serious tone and national importance.
The visuals quickly transition to the windswept, sub-zero terrain of Eastern Ladakh, where the 120 Bahadur—mostly soldiers of the Ahir community from the 13 Kumaon Regiment—were stationed at the crucial Rezang La pass, 16,000 feet above sea level.
Farhan Akhtar’s transformation into Major Shaitan Singh Bhati is the emotional core of the trailer. He is seen motivating his vastly outnumbered troops with fierce conviction: “You’re all sons of farmers; fighting for your land runs in your veins. And this time, the fight isn’t about our land but our motherland.”
The trailer showcases the horrific, human-wave attacks launched by the Chinese contingent. Despite lacking artillery support and being critically short on ammunition, the 120 soldiers fought with unparalleled determination, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy—estimated to be over 1,300 Chinese troops. Major Shaitan Singh’s courage under fire, as he moved from post to post rallying his men despite being grievously wounded, forms the most powerful moments in the clip.
His fierce declaration, “Main ladey bina haar nahi manna chahta” (I don’t want to accept defeat without fighting), captures the spirit of the ‘Last Man, Last Bullet’ stand for which the Battle of Rezang La is eternally remembered.
The historical record confirms that out of the 120 Indian soldiers who defended the pass that day, 114 embraced martyrdom. They were found frozen in their trenches, rifles still clutched in their hands, having fought until their last breath. Their monumental sacrifice successfully blocked the Chinese advance, saving the strategic Chushul airfield and preventing a deeper intrusion into Ladakh.
Actress Raashii Khanna features in a special appearance as Shagun Kanwari Singh, Major Shaitan Singh’s wife, adding a poignant human and domestic dimension to the soldier’s ultimate sacrifice.
The film has generated strong national sentiment, recently facing calls from a section of the Ahir community to change the title to ‘120 Veer Ahir’ to specifically acknowledge the community’s dominant role in the battle. The trailer, however, addresses this by featuring a soldier who proudly declares, “We are Ahirs… When it comes to our country, we can take 100 lives,” suggesting the filmmakers have integrated a direct tribute to their heroism.
Produced by Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar’s Excel Entertainment, 120 Bahadur is shot across authentic, arduous locations in Ladakh and Rajasthan, aiming for absolute realism. As the trailer promises a visually grand and emotionally charged tribute to the Rezang La heroes, the film is set to be a defining moment in India’s military cinema when it releases on November 21, 2025.
