Director Razneesh Ghai is no stranger to pressure, but helming 120 Bahadur — a war epic backed by Excel Entertainment — was personal, emotional, and uniquely demanding. And not just because it’s based on a true story of unsung Indian heroes. Speaking at the film’s teaser launch, Ghai opened up about the challenges and rewards of directing Farhan Akhtar, a celebrated actor who is also an acclaimed filmmaker himself.
“It’s very tough to direct someone like Farhan. He’s extremely demanding and expects you to be at your best every moment,” Ghai shared candidly. “He wakes up at 6:30 in the morning and messages me — so I had to be on my toes all the time!”
But despite Farhan’s sharp instincts and deep filmmaking experience, Ghai says their dynamic was built on mutual respect. “Farhan never once crossed the line. He gave me full respect as a director, and I think that’s because he himself knows how important that role is. We had a wonderful working relationship.”
Beyond the pressures of directing big names and coordinating a war drama, 120 Bahadur is a film close to Ghai’s heart. “I’m an army kid. My father was in the army, and so is my brother. This isn’t just a film for me — it’s personal.”
Having grown up watching Western war films, Ghai always longed for an Indian war story told with the same scale and authenticity. And with 120 Bahadur, he hopes to shift how Indian war films are perceived. “I’ve been in the industry for 35 years. I’ve poured every bit of that experience into this film. It’s serious work. We’ve built a crew that’s given their all, and I truly believe audiences will be proud of what we’ve created.”
120 Bahadur is based on the heroic true story of the Rezang La battle, where 120 Indian soldiers stood their ground against thousands of Chinese troops during the 1962 Indo-China War. The film stars Farhan Akhtar, introduces Sparsh Walia, and features a powerful cameo by Raashii Khanna.The ensemble cast includes Ajinkya Ramesh Deo, Eijaz Khan, Vivan Bhatena, Ankit Siwach, and others. Produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s Excel Entertainment, in collaboration with Amit Chandrra’s Trigger Happy Studios, the film is set to release in theatres on November 21, 2025.