18 November 1962… 18 November 2025Exactly 63 years later, today we remember the 120 warriors who fought India’s highest, coldest, and most impossible battle – The Battle of Rezang La.
And just three days from now, on 21 November 2025, their story hits the big screen as 120 Bahadur.
The Morning That Became Legend
Location: Rezang La Pass, Ladakh (18,000 feet above sea level)
Date & Time: 18 November 1962, 4 AM onwards
Temperature: Below -30°C, wind speed 70-80 km/hOur
Strength: Only 120 soldiers (Charlie Company, 13 Kumaon Regiment), mostly Ahir youths from Haryana and Rajasthan
Weapons: Outdated .303 bolt-action rifles, 50 rounds per man, two Bren guns, a few 3-inch mortars
Enemy: 3,000–5,000 Chinese PLA troops with automatic weapons, heavy machine guns, recoilless guns, and artillery
Result? 114 Indian martyrs, 6 wounded Survivors over 1,300 Chinese soldiers killed (admitted by China themselves)The entire battlefield was littered with Chinese bodies – our men fought till their last breath.
Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, PVC (Posthumous)
A Bhati Rajput from Jodhpur, Rajasthan.Even after being critically wounded, he kept commanding his company.When he could no longer walk, he told his men: “Leave me here, keep fighting.”His body was later found behind rocks – one hand still holding the rifle, the other pointing forward.One of India’s 21 Param Vir Chakra recipients.
Some of the 120 Heroes (a few names)
Major Shaitan Singh Bhati (Company Commander)Naik Singh ,Ram Havildar, Nihal Singh ,Sepoy Jai Narayan ,Sepoy Ram Singh ,nursing Assistant Jaswant Singh Gill (died while saving the wounded )
These village boys from Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh are still alive in the eyes of their people.
The Film 120 Bahadur – What Makes It Special?7
Director: Razneesh “Razy” Ghai (debut film)
Production: Excel Entertainment (Farhan-Ritesh Sidhwani) + Trigger Happy Studios
Lead:
Farhan Akhtar as Major Shaitan Singh
Raashii Khanna as Shagun Kanwar (Major’s wife)
Special Appearance: Amitabh Bachchan (voice cameo)
Shooting Location: Real Rezang La area, 14,000+ feet, temperatures between -5°C and -10°C (Farhan and a 600-member crew braved the actual cold – no studio, 100% real terrain)
Music: Amit Trivedi |
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar (the song “Yaad Aate Hain” will make you cry)
Why the Title Controversy?
Many wanted the title to be “120 Veer Ahir” because most soldiers belonged to the Ahir community.Protests happened, roads were blocked in Gurugram, a PIL was filed.On 17 November 2025, the Punjab & Haryana High Court dismissed the PIL, stating: “The word ‘Bahadur’ honours the entire armed forces and does not diminish any community.”The film also carries a disclaimer – “Dedicated to all brave soldiers.”
Final Words
This film doesn’t belong to one community – it belongs to the entire nation.It is the story of 120 men who never looked back, never waited for orders, never waited for help – they fought only for the Tricolour.Go watch it in theatres on 21 November.If you can spend ₹200–300 for a two-hour seat, remember these 120 men gave their entire lives.They deserve at least one salute from us.Jai Hind 🇮🇳Jai Rezang La’s 120 Bahadur 🙏