Raashii Khanna has officially signed on to star opposite Farhan Akhtar in the upcoming war drama 120 Bahadur, which is set against the backdrop of the 1962 Indo-China War. The film, directed by Shiv Rawail, is centred on the legendary Battle of Rezang La and will see Farhan essaying the role of Major Shaitan Singh, the heroic officer who was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra.
Sources close to the project confirmed to Hindustan Times that the actress came on board after impressing the filmmakers with her recent performances. “Raashii has proved herself with The Sabarmati Report and Yodha, two completely different films and characters. The makers of 120 Bahadur felt that she would be able to hold her ground in a story which is so patriotic and hard-hitting, and bring added depth,” said a source close to the production to the media house. While details about her character remain tightly guarded, her role is said to be crucial to the emotional arc of the narrative.
The film is being positioned as a tribute to the valour of Indian soldiers, specifically the 120 soldiers of the 13 Kumaon regiment who fought under Major Singh’s leadership in one of the most remembered last stands in Indian military history. Farhan Akhtar, who was last seen in Toofaan, had earlier expressed his excitement about returning to Ladakh after two decades. “I went back to Ladakh to shoot a full-fledged film, 20 years after last filming Lakshya with Hrithik Roshan,” he had told HT City.
It is scheduled for release in November 2025. 120 Bahadur was shot in Ladakh in a spine chilling minus 10 degrees celsius. “The team shot at around 14,000 feet in Ladakh, and temperatures often dipped to minus 5, even minus 10 degrees on some days,” an industry source had said earlier. The source added, “The aim was to honour the story with honesty, and Farhan really went all in — physically, mentally, emotionally.”
Farhan, who will be seen essaying the role of Major Shaitan Singh Bhati (PVC), underwent a significant transformation for the film, including military-style training and acclimatisation at high altitude.
“120 Bahadur”is directed by Razneesh ‘Razy’ Ghai and produced by Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar (Excel Entertainment), and Amit Chandrra (Trigger Happy Studios).
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