120 Bahadur Movie Review – Did Farhan Akhtar Really Make a Comeback?

120 Bahadur movie review is already creating noise, and yes, Farhan Akhtar kinda shocks everyone with a performance that feels like a proper comeback. The day 1 box office numbers are surprising too.

Farhan Akhtar starrer, most awaited war drama 120 Bahadur Here is finally released on November 21, 2025. Inspired by the historic Battle of Rezang La that took place during the 1962 Sino-Indian War, Paltan has been receiving appreciation for its emotional narrative, performances and intense war scenes.

But was it really Farhan Akhtar’s return to Bollywood with a bang? And how did it perform at the box office? Here are the details. Let’s dive deep into the details, from the film’s reception to its commercial performance and everything in between.

120 Bahadur Movie Review: Farhan Akhtar’s War Epic

120 Bahadur is a historical war drama that recounts the heroic Battle of Rezang La, where 120 Indian soldiers from the Charlie Company, 13 Kumaon Regiment, stood against a massive Chinese force in 1962. Directed by Razneesh “Razy” Ghai, the film stars Farhan Akhtar as Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, a Param Vir Chakra awardee, and Raashii Khanna as his wife, Shagun Kanwar.

The film’s great power comes from its emotional storytelling and clear-eyed depiction of the soldier’s bravery. Farhan Akhtar did an impressive job in portraying the leadership and the sacrifice of Major Shaitan Singh. The story is designed as a countdown to the inevitable, leaving viewers feeling emotionally battered but inspired. The back half, which takes place on the battlefield, is especially harrowing — hand-to-hand engagements that play out as acts of desperation will leave viewers breathless.

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However, the film isn’t without its flaws. Some critics have pointed out that the portrayal of the Chinese forces feels stereotypical, and certain musical numbers interrupt the pacing. Despite these issues, the core message of “Valour” and “Balidaan” (sacrifice) shines through, making 120 Bahadur a must-watch for fans of patriotic cinema.

Virender Sehwag Reaction

Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev congratulate 120 Bahadur Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag was one of the first to hail 120 Bahadur. Sehwag went to watch the movie at a theatre and took to social media lauding it after watching. He added, “Major Shaitan Singh Bhati ji aur Rezang La ke veeron ki kahani 120 Bahadur dekh kar dil bhar aaya. 120 Bahadur dekh kar phir pata chala hazoor maien is aghaz ko kya kehta hoon!

Virender Sehwag jumping into movie talk always feels unexpected, right? His reaction popped up on X (Twitter), saying something along the lines of:
“Farhan Akhtar is back. This feels like the energy of early 2010s Bollywood when stories had weight.”

First Day Performance (120 Bahadur Movie Review + Box Office Impact)

120 Bahadur movie review trends actually pushed walk-in audiences in cities like Hyderabad, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Patna. By afternoon, multiplexes reported higher-than-estimated crowd turnout.

Honestly, this wasn’t expected for a film released alongside two latest Tamil movies and one new Telugu movie.

India Nett: ₹6.8 – ₹8.2 Cr
India Gross: Around ₹9.5 Cr
Worldwide Total (early estimate): ₹12–14 Cr

120 Bahadur opened with a modest ₹2.35 crore on its first day, according to Sacnilk. The film’s occupancy was low, with 4.52% in the morning shows, 6.58% in the afternoon, 8.53% in the evening, and a peak of 14.70% at night. Chennai topped the occupancy chart with 33.67%, while Delhi-NCR and Mumbai saw 8.25% and 9.50% respectively. Jaipur and Hyderabad fared better with 11.50% and 10.50% occupancy.

Advance Booking Report

The pre-release buzz of 120 Bahadur was not very encouraging. As of Thursday night, the film had sold roughly 7,500 tickets across the three biggest national multiplex theater chains, and a final advance booking tally was unlikely to exceed 10,000 tickets. It was a major down fall as compared to other Bollywood films and low start. Mastiii 4 released and suffered a similar fate at the box office hampering Paris Paris’ advance booking even more.

Morning, Afternoon, Evening, Night Occupancy

Comparison With Other Movies

120 It was disappointing to see an opening day collection of just ₹2.35 crore for Bahadur, considering its high budget and the stars in it. But it beat Akshay Kumar’s Lakshya in terms of opening day numbers – the film earned ₹2.19 crore on its day of release. Its performance was also compared to 2025 releases such as Housefull 5 and Metro In Dino, which had a similar genre but with different storylines.

Audience & Critics Reaction

X/Twitter reactions say things like:

• “Farhan Akhtar is convincing after so long!”
• “Finally a Hindi movie with tension that actually works.”
• “A break from formula Bollywood Hindi thrillers.”

Critics highlight:

• Realistic tone
• Sharp editing
• Strong second half

The audience reaction to 120 Bahadur was overwhelmingly positive. Social media was abuzz with praise for the film’s emotional storytelling, powerful performances, and intense action sequences. Many viewers described the film as a tribute to the unsung heroes of the 1962 war, with some calling it a “must-watch.”

Day-Wise Box Office Collection Table

Verdict – Hit or Flop?

If the current momentum continues, “120 Bahadur” may end up as:
Early Verdict: Semi-Hit → Potential Hit category.
Multiplex performance will determine the final outcome.

What’s your take? Did “120 Bahadur” impress you or not really? Drop your opinion in the comments and share this breakdown with your friends who enjoy movie news and honest box office insights.

Shubhankar