Farhan Akhtar will be seen playing the role of Major Shaitan Singh Bhati in the upcoming war film ‘120 Bahadur’. As part of promotions, the actor opened up about the challenges of portraying real-life heroes without slipping into hypernationalism merely for dramatic effect.
Farhan Akhtar on balancing truth and tone in war dramas
In a conversation with Just Too Film with Rotalks, Farhan stressed the importance of staying true to the source material. “This film isn’t make-believe. These are real men whose actions speak for themselves. Patriotism is beautiful, but jingoism is very ugly,” he said.
Farhan Akhtar says he prefers authenticity over propaganda
The actor-filmmaker noted that in today’s climate, any war drama risks being labelled as propaganda, which makes restraint crucial.“When soldiers act out of duty, you don’t need to beat the drum louder than it’s already beating. Their choices reflect their loyalty. If you stick to that truth, the film stays grounded,” he explained.Akhtar added that when filmmakers prioritise authenticity, propaganda naturally stays at a distance.
Farhan Akhtar on returning to direction
Towards the end of the interview, Farhan confirmed that he will return to the director’s chair next year. He emphasised that his filmmaking approach remains consistent across roles.“Whether I’m acting, producing, or directing, the story must remain honest. That’s the only way work travels across generations,” he said.
More about ‘120 Bahadur’
Directed by Razneesh ‘Razy’ Ghai, the film stars Farhan Akhtar as Major Shaitan Singh and Raashii Khanna as Shagun Kanwar, the wife of Shaitan Singh. The film recounts the Battle of Rezang La during the Sino-Indian War on November 18, 1962. It focuses on the extraordinary courage of 120 Ahir soldiers from the Charlie Company, 13 Kumaon Regiment, who held their post against a massive 3,000-strong Chinese Army. Despite being vastly outnumbered, the small contingent inflicted over 1,300 casualties on the enemy, making it one of the war’s most significant stands.The film will release in theaters on November 21, 2025.
