Delhi High Court Gives Green Light to 120 Bahadur Theatrical Release
The Delhi High Court has officially cleared the path for the theatrical release of Farhan Akhtar's period military drama "120 Bahadur" on November 21. The court disposed of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that challenged the film's Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) clearance, alleging historical inaccuracies in its depiction of the 1962 Battle of Rezang La.
Petitioners' Concerns Over Historical Accuracy
The legal challenge was filed by the Sanyukt Ahir Regiment Morcha, a charitable trust, along with its trustee and family members of soldiers who died in the historic battle. They contended that the film, which portrays Param Vir Chakra awardee Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, distorts historical facts by singularly glorifying him as a lone protagonist under the fictionalised name 'Bhati'.
The petitioners argued that the movie erases the collective identity and contribution of the Ahir (Yadav) soldiers from Rewari and adjoining regions who formed the majority of the unit that defended the Rezang La Pass - the first line of defence for the Chushul airfield during the 1962 war.
Court's Rationale and Directive for OTT Release
The court noted that it was too late to alter the film's name or release date at this final hour. It acknowledged that the producers have included the names of the soldiers as a special tribute at the movie's conclusion.
The bench explicitly stated that petitioners could watch the film and identify any necessary changes that could be implemented for the over-the-top (OTT) platform release. The court clarified that for the OTT version, only the names of the soldiers along with their proper regiment would need to be mentioned appropriately.
Farhan Akhtar's Perspective on the Film's Title
In a previous appearance on Aap Ki Adalat, Farhan Akhtar had explained his reasoning behind naming the film "120 Bahadur." He emphasized that if the intention was solely to make a film about Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, they would have simply titled it "Shaitan Singh."
"This film is about the whole company. That's why we have named it as 120 Bahadur. Because the contribution of the rest of the people in winning that battle was just as much as theirs," Akhtar stated, underscoring the collective nature of the bravery depicted in the film.
Produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani's Excel Entertainment, 120 Bahadur also features Raashi Khanna and is scheduled to hit theatres nationwide on November 21, marking another significant addition to Indian military cinema.
