The Delhi High Court on Wednesday allowed the release of Farhan Akhtar’s upcoming war drama 120 Bahadur, dismissing a petition that alleged the film distorts historical facts related to the 1962 Sino-Indian War. The movie will now hit theatres on November 21 as originally scheduled.
A bench comprising Justices Prathiba M Singh and Shail Jain noted that it was too late to seek a title change or modify the film, especially with the release set for Friday. The court also recorded that the filmmakers have already included the names of soldiers in the end credits as a mark of tribute. However, due to uncertainty regarding whether all 120 soldiers were acknowledged, the court directed that any corrections could be incorporated in the film’s OTT release.
The plea, filed by Sanyukt Ahir Regiment Morcha and family members of soldiers who died in the Battle of Rezang La, challenged the CBFC certification of 120 Bahadur. The petitioners argued that the film unfairly focuses solely on Major Shaitan Singh — portrayed by Farhan Akhtar — under the fictional name “Bhati,” thereby overshadowing the collective bravery of the predominantly Ahir company of 113 soldiers who fought at Rezang La. The court, noting the urgency, heard the matter the same day after an earlier bench did not assemble.
120 Bahadur, directed by Rajnees ‘Razy’ Ghai, narrates the heroic stand of Major Shaitan Singh and his battalion, who defended Rezang La Pass with exceptional courage during the 1962 war. Despite the controversy, the court emphasized that the film may release nationwide as planned, adding that any additional acknowledgments needed for the soldiers and their regiments must be included in the digital version. With this decision, the film’s theatrical debut on November 21 proceeds unhindered.
