'120 Bahadur' movie review: A poignant depiction of war

Sacrifice and valour are often forgotten, left to wither between the pages of old history books, but the stories of those who sacrifice themselves for their country deserve to be heard.

‘120 Bahadur’ depicts the brotherhood and bravery of the 120 soldiers of the Charlie Company, who fought valiantly and laid down their lives to ensure the Chinese army didn’t advance to capture Indian territory in the Sino-Indian war of 1962.

Major Shaitan Singh (Farhan Akhtar) inspires his troops, as they face the wrath of the Chinese army. The 120 troops of the 13 Kumaon Regiment might have been perceived as raucous and fun-loving by others, but their love for the motherland could never be doubted.

The movie is depicted through the eyes of sepoy Ramchander Yadav, the radio operator who survived the battle. While the first half of the movie showcases the human element of soldiers, who know what they’ve signed on for and yet march ahead fearlessly, the second half captures the poignancy of war.

The movie is paced well, with a strong on-screen presence combined with exceptional cinematography. It does not go over the top at tugging your heart, but makes the right impact, as you respect and admire the courage of the bravehearts.

Farhan Akhtar excels in his role, ably supported by Raashii Khanna who plays Shagun, Singh’s wife. The supporting characters seem to fit right in, with everyone playing their role to perfection.

As one leaves the movie hall, one cannot help but be filled with pride and respect for the 120 bahadurs and the million others who serve the country.