'120 Bahadur' first reactions call it "powerful," with stunning visuals and real emotion
If you've been waiting for a war film that actually feels grounded, keep an eye on 120 Bahadur. It hits theatres tomorrow, November 21, 2025, and early viewers are walking out a little quiet, a little proud, and kind of in awe.
The film looks straight at the Rezang La battle of 1962 - 120 Indian soldiers, cold wind cutting through the Himalayas, and a near-impossible stand against thousands of Chinese troops. It doesn't blink. And that's exactly what people are responding to.
What people are saying after early screenings
One viewer put it simply: "Powerful and impeccably crafted #120Bahadur stands out! Exceptional cinematography, engaging background score, and some truly stunning visuals. #FarhanAkhtar is rock-solid, backed by a stellar cast."
An army veteran who attended a special screening for the COAS added, "A very well made movie, with a powerful visualisation of the battle… Having walked up the Rezang La pass myself a couple of times, can vouch for the excellent picturisation. A must watch on 21 Nov!! Jai Hind."
Another early review leaned into the technicals: "#120Bahadur is POWERFUL… excellent cinematography, impactful background score and impressive frames. Few scenes are visually stunning. #FarhanAkhtar is solid throughout. Full marks to the ensemble."
There's also a note of balance in the reactions: "The film starts on an interesting note and has a good interval point… battle sequences are crisp, with razor sharp transitions… The second half is rich in emotions… Few fragments are slow but the final impact compensates all of that." Honest, but clearly positive.
Why this story still hits hard
Because it's real. 120 Bahadur tells the story of Charlie Company, led by Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, holding their position at Rezang La in brutal conditions. Outnumbered. Outgunned. And refusing to step back.
The film leans into the details - rifle bursts giving way to bayonet charges, even hand-to-hand fights when everything else runs out. You feel the loyalty and the cost. Not in speeches, but in moments.
If you want a quick refresher on the history behind the film, the Battle of Rezang La and the wider Sino-Indian War (1962) are worth a look. The movie seems intent on honoring that legacy without sanding off the rough edges.
The craft: sight, sound, and restraint
Early viewers keep coming back to three things: the cinematography, the background score, and how the visuals carry the weight without shouting. The mountain light. The silence between orders. The way the camera stays with faces before the storm hits.
And yes, there are a few slow patches, according to some. But most say the final stretch lands hard enough to make the wait worth it.
Cast and the voice that guides it
Farhan Akhtar headlines as Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, with Raashii Khanna (movies and tv series), Vivan Bhatena (movies and tv series), Ankit Siwach (movies and tv series), Dhanveer Singh (movies and tv series), Sahib Verma (movies and tv series), Sparsh Walia (movies and tv series), Ajinkya Deo (movies and tv series), and Eijaz Khan (movies and tv series) rounding out the unit onscreen. The ensemble note shows up in almost every reaction - nobody feels ornamental.
Amitabh Bachchan (movies and tv series) steps in as narrator, which adds gravitas without getting in the way. It's a familiar voice anchoring a tough story.
Release details - and what to expect opening day
120 Bahadur releases tomorrow, November 21, 2025. Expect strong interest from defense enthusiasts and word-of-mouth from early audiences drawn to the film's authenticity.
Here's the early-read: if you're here for spectacle with feeling, it delivers. If you want a history lesson dressed as a movie, this isn't that - it's a movie with history that hurts a little, like it should.
The takeaway
War films can get loud and lose the point. This one - at least from these first reactions - seems to remember why the story exists in the first place. Courage, duty, and the quiet moments before a last stand.
Maybe that's why people are calling it "powerful." Not because it's big, but because it feels true.
Quick facts
- Title: 120 Bahadur
- Release: November 21, 2025
- Director: Razneesh "Razy" Ghai
- Lead: Farhan Akhtar; Narrator: Amitabh Bachchan
- Story: The 1962 Rezang La battle - 120 Indian soldiers against overwhelming odds
Bottom line: Early buzz says go for the visuals, stay for the emotion, and walk out thinking about the men at Rezang La long after the credits roll.
