The Delhi High Court has scheduled for November 26 the hearing of a petition challenging the certificate granted by the Central Board of Film Certification to the upcoming film 120 Bahadur, starring Farhan Akhtar. The plea alleges that the movie distorts the historical narrative of the 1962 Battle of Rezang La and demands that the film’s title be changed.
The matter was listed on Wednesday before a bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela. However, since the bench did not assemble, the case was posted for next week. When the matter was called, no representative for the petitioners was present.
The petition has been filed by Sanyukt Ahir Regiment Morcha, a charitable trust, along with its trustee and family members of several soldiers who died in the Battle of Rezang La. The battle, fought at an altitude of around 18,000 feet in the Chushul sector of Ladakh, is regarded by the Ministry of Defence’s History Division as a landmark example of collective bravery. Out of 120 soldiers, 114 were killed.
The petition says the company, made up largely of Ahir soldiers from Rewari and nearby regions, formed the first line of defence for the Chushul airfield and fought with exceptional courage.
The challenged film portrays Major Shaitan Singh, the Param Vir Chakra awardee who led the C Company during the battle. The petitioners argue that the film fictionalises the narrative by glorifying him as a lone hero under the name “Bhati,” which they say erases the collective identity of the Ahir soldiers who fought alongside him.
According to the plea, this approach “distorts historical truth” and diminishes the regimental pride and contribution of the Ahir community. It asserts violations of the Cinematograph Act and Certification Guidelines, which bar films from presenting distorted historical views.
The petition further cites Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which criminalises imputations against deceased persons that may wound the sentiments of their relatives.
The petitioners have asked for a review and stay of the film’s certification and its release, scheduled for November 21. They want the title changed and a disclaimer added acknowledging the role of the Ahir soldiers in the battle.
A representation has already been submitted to the authorities, the plea says, requesting corrective measures before the film is released in theatres.
