Box Office Triumph: Farhan Akhtar’s ‘120 Bahadur’ Jumps 100% on Day 2 Driven by ‘Powerful Watch’ Word-of-Mouth, Actor Demands Tax-Free Status
‘120 Bahadur’ Sees Massive Weekend Surge: The Real Battle for Box Office Dominance
Farhan Akhtar’s latest offering, the historical war drama 120 Bahadur, has ignited a fierce debate, not just on the 1962 Sino-Indian War it depicts, but also within the Bollywood box office landscape. After opening to modest figures, the film has witnessed a phenomenal turnaround, registering a massive jump in collections on its second day, driven almost entirely by the intense and compelling ‘word-of-mouth’ (WoM) from early viewers.
The initial buzz, encapsulated in the viral praise of Farhan Akhtar’s ‘commanding performance’ as Major Shaitan Singh and the film being hailed as a ‘powerful watch,’ has translated directly into a significant spike in audience footfall, proving that a solid narrative and earnest intent can often overcome a slow start. The breaking news, however, extends beyond just the numbers, incorporating a high-profile plea for tax-free status and an emerging controversy over historical fidelity, positioning 120 Bahadur at the epicenter of a cultural and commercial storm.
The Staggering Day 2 Box Office Turnaround
120 Bahadur, which recounts the valor of the 120 soldiers (primarily from the Ahir community) of the 13 Kumaon Regiment during the legendary Battle of Rezang La, released on November 21, 2025. The film took a modest start on its opening day, netting approximately ₹2.25 crore in India.
However, the subsequent day saw the kind of explosive growth that trade analysts dream of for content-driven cinema. The film’s collection surged by an estimated 70% to 100% on Saturday, with some reports citing a Day 2 net collection of roughly ₹4 crore. This remarkable growth brings the two-day domestic total to around ₹6.25 crore.
This dramatic swing is a clear testament to the film’s strong audience reception. Industry observers have unanimously credited the powerful subject matter and the earnestness of the narrative for this surge. The trend indicates that the film, despite releasing alongside the comedy sequel Mastiii 4 and facing strong competition from holdovers like De De Pyaar De 2, is poised for a strong and steady weekend run, heavily reliant on sustained WoM throughout its theatrical journey.
Farhan Akhtar’s Commanding Performance: The Catalyst for WoM
Central to the film’s initial success is the performance of Farhan Akhtar as Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, the Param Vir Chakra recipient who led the Charlie Company. The actor, returning to the big screen after a hiatus, has been widely lauded for his restrained yet powerful portrayal of the soldier who inspired his men to fight a battle against a 3,000-strong Chinese contingent with impossible odds.
Critics have praised the film for its authenticity in depicting the brutal cold, altitude, and isolation of the Rezang La heights. While The Times of India’s review, for instance, offered a respectable 3 out of 5 stars, noting that the ‘action stands out as the film’s strongest pillar,’ the overwhelming public sentiment on social media platforms is what truly mattered. Netizens and early viewers have used terms like ‘masterpiece,’ ‘must-watch for every Indian,’ and ‘a powerful tribute,’ creating a viral echo chamber that is pulling audiences into the multiplexes and single screens, effectively rescuing the film from its slow start.
The Call for Tax-Free Status: A National Imperative
In a timely development that amplifies the film’s message, Farhan Akhtar utilized the platform of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) to make a heartfelt appeal for the movie to be granted tax-free status by state governments. The actor argued that the film, which showcases a little-known yet crucial chapter of Indian military history—the sacrifice of the 120 Ahir soldiers—is not just entertainment but a national lesson.
“I do believe that this is a film for every Indian and that every Indian should watch this film to remember the heroes of our past,” Akhtar stated. He emphasized that making the film tax-free would remove the financial barrier for a heroic story that needs to be widely known. The Battle of Rezang La’s significance, where 120 soldiers inflicted over 1,300 casualties on the Chinese army, makes a strong case for its treatment as a piece of national education, a sentiment that resonates deeply with the government’s push for patriotic cinema.
The Historical Fidelity Controversy: An Uphill Battle Continues
Despite the box office momentum and positive reviews from veterans, the film faces a serious challenge regarding its historical portrayal. Post-release, criticism has mounted from various groups, most notably from the Ahir community (under the banner of the Sanyukt Ahir Regiment Morcha) and historians.
The core of the controversy lies in the alleged ‘fictionalization’ of the true story. Critics claim that the film’s narrative focuses too heavily on Major Shaitan Singh Bhati as a singular hero, thereby diminishing or sidelining the collective heroism and sacrifice of the 120 Ahir soldiers who formed the bulk of the company. Author Kulpreet Yadav, a noted voice on the subject, publicly expressed his disappointment, calling it a “great opportunity lost” and arguing that the film “converted a team’s effort into one man completely fictionalised story.”
This criticism is not new; the film faced legal challenges before its release, with pleas filed in the Delhi High Court challenging the CBFC certification on the grounds of distorting historical facts. While the Delhi High Court cleared the film for a nationwide release, the underlying cultural and historical sensitivity remains a live issue, impacting public perception and potentially influencing its long-term run, particularly in regions with significant Ahir populations.
Conclusion: A Cinematic Tribute vs. Historical Scrutiny
120 Bahadur is a textbook example of a film whose success is being defined by its duality. On one hand, it is a box office battler, using the power of word-of-mouth to secure a substantial jump in earnings, validating Farhan Akhtar’s commitment to the role and the compelling nature of the narrative. On the other, it is a film entangled in a necessary, though challenging, debate about how cinema interprets and presents real-life history. Farhan Akhtar’s plea for tax exemption is a strategic move to leverage the film’s national importance to ensure its message, and the sacrifice of the Rezang La heroes, reaches every corner of the country, navigating the film through both commercial and cultural turbulence. For now, the ‘powerful watch’ is holding its ground, much like the brave soldiers it honors.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who does Farhan Akhtar play in the movie 120 Bahadur?
Farhan Akhtar plays the role of Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, a Param Vir Chakra recipient who was the company commander of Charlie Company, 13 Kumaon Regiment, during the Battle of Rezang La in the 1962 Sino-Indian War.
2. Why did the box office collection for 120 Bahadur jump so significantly on Day 2?
The box office collection for 120 Bahadur registered a massive jump (between 70% and 100%) on Day 2 (Saturday) primarily due to strong positive word-of-mouth. After a slow opening on Friday, the critical and audience praise for Farhan Akhtar’s performance and the film’s powerful depiction of the Battle of Rezang La drove significantly higher footfall on the weekend.
3. What is the historical controversy surrounding 120 Bahadur?
The controversy revolves around claims of historical distortion. The Ahir community and some historians allege that the film over-fictionalizes the story and focuses excessively on Major Shaitan Singh, thereby failing to adequately credit or sidelining the collective sacrifice and identity of the 120 Ahir soldiers who were an integral part of the Battle of Rezang La.
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