Review: 120 Bahadur Has It’s Heart in the Right Place But Falters in Execution!

Our country has faced several enemy invasions even before it became a unified nation. After Independence, our neighbour China made us believe they were our friends with the slogan “Hindi Chini Bhai Bhai.” But soon, true to their pattern, China betrayed India by attempting a land grab. 120 Bahadur narrates the story of 120 brave soldiers who fought against more than 3,000 Chinese troops to protect #RezangLa, a strategically crucial region for military operations.

There are countless accounts of bravery in our armed forces that still remain untold, and the story of the Rezang La battle is one of them. What makes it even more haunting is the thought of how many such stories continue to lie buried. Had the radio operator not survived that day, the world might never have known about these soldiers who held back a much larger Chinese force armed with nothing but raw courage. These were heroes who never shouted about their patriotism, they lived it through their actions and ultimately laid down their lives for it.

The screenplay is one-dimensional, and the film moves at the same pace throughout. The expected “rush of blood” during the war scenes is missing. Though the cinematography is excellent, the on-screen proceedings do not quite evoke goosebumps. The director attempts to give a humane touch to all the characters. The songs work well, and the editing is crisp. Stories like this deserve space not only in history books but also in mainstream culture.

#FarhanAkhtar has significant screen time, but his character never truly connects emotionally, perhaps due to weak writing, average direction, or a performance that doesn’t fully land. He is good but unable to carry the film on his shoulders. The supporting cast, including Ankit Siwach, Vivan Bhatena, Ajinkya Deo, and Eijaz Khan, delivers convincing performances. Raashi Khanna’s guest appearance is pleasant, and Amitabh Bachchan’s opening narration is outstanding.

120 Bahadur has its heart in the right place but falters in execution.

Rating: ***

By Keerti Kadam