Delhi HC Clears 120 Bahadur for Release, Farhan Akhtar’s War Drama Marches Ahead

After days of legal back-and-forth, the Delhi High Court has finally allowed 120 Bahadur to hit theatres on November 21. A petition had tried to stall the release, arguing that the film strays from the documented history of the 1962 Rezang La battle. The judges didn’t see enough reason to push the premiere back, especially with the release date already around the corner.

The Core of the Dispute

The petitioners, representing members of the Ahir community and army veterans, raised a simple but emotional point: the film, they believe, puts too much focus on Major Shaitan Singh, renamed as Major Bhati in the movie, at the cost of the other 120 soldiers who fought and died with him. They worried that the film reduces a collective act of courage to a one-man narrative and risks undermining the legacy of the Ahir troops who held their ground in impossible conditions.

What the Court Actually Wants

Here’s the thing. The judges didn’t dismiss the concerns outright. They pointed out that when a film uses real heroes, their identities deserve care and accuracy. The court noted that the movie already includes a tribute listing the fallen soldiers, but it also nudged the makers to do better, especially for the OTT release by ensuring every name, rank and regiment is clearly mentioned so no story is lost in the edit.

But they also made it clear: halting the theatrical release or forcing immediate changes wasn’t practical at this stage.

What This Means Going Forward

So the film will be released as planned. But there’s now a clear expectation that when 120 Bahadur heads to streaming platforms, it will speak for all 120 men, not just one. It keeps the film on track while holding the creators accountable for how they represent history.

With that, Farhan Akhtar’s war drama is set to reach audiences this week, carrying the weight of a story that has lived far too long outside mainstream attention.