14 May,2025 08:15 AM IST | Mumbai | Upala KBR
Farhan Akhtar in 120 Bahadur
As a director, Farhan Akhtar gave us one of the most personal stories set against a war with Lakshya (2004). Over two decades on, he is part of a war drama again, but this time, as an actor. He recently wrapped up the shoot of 120 Bahadur, which offers a retelling of the Battle of Rezang La - that took place during the 1962 India-China war - where 120 soldiers of the Indian Army's Kumaon Regiment defeated 3,000 Chinese soldiers to defend the strategic mountain pass of Rezang La in Ladakh. Akhtar portrays Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, who had led the defence and was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra for his bravery.
Actor Ankit Siwach, who was recently seen in Kull: The Legacy of the Raisingghs, plays one of the soldiers in Razneesh Ghai's directorial venture. He reveals that the cast headed to Ladakh well before the film rolled last August. "The story revolves around six or seven soldiers in Charlie Company, 13 Kumaon Regiment. It was an emotionally and physically gruelling experience with four months of prep at the mountains. Almost 15 days before the shoot, we went to Ladakh to acclimatise so that it'd be easy for us to shoot while holding guns and running around the mountains," he recalls.
Sharing screen space with Akhtar is an experience he cherishes deeply. He says, "I used to admire Farhan, but after 120 Bahadur, I love him. His work ethics and creativity are unmatched." Siwach will next be seen in the movie, Barf.
