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The team of '120 Bahadur' joined India Today for an exclusive conversation discussing the making of the film. Farhan Akhtar, Rajneesh Ghai and Ritesh Sidhwani promoted the film and called the film a "six-year labour of love".
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00:00Transcription by CastingWords
00:30Watch in peace, sir.
00:31Watch in peace, sir.
00:33This assault was a very confident attack.
00:36What is the death of Bharat's death?
00:41I'm calling your company commander, Major Shaitan Singh Bhati.
00:47Today, there's a very big storm coming to us.
00:50This year, the Indian cinema has seen a surge of films dedicated to armed forces,
00:55reflecting a rising patriotic fervor and public appreciation for the military sacrifices.
01:02Joining this trend is Aix of Beast Bahadur.
01:05Farhan Akhtar, Ritesh Sidhwani, and Razleesh Ghai are leading figures in Indian cinema,
01:11known for their bold storytelling and creative vision.
01:14Thank you for your time here.
01:16Farhan, beginning with you, Aix of Beast Bahadur,
01:20is it just fitting in this cinematic trend,
01:22or would you say that this is a story which must be told?
01:27Well, I would like to believe that if the cinematic trend is telling good stories,
01:31then I hope it's fitting into that.
01:34But I don't know.
01:35I mean, it's not really about a trend.
01:37It never has been with the kind of work that, I mean,
01:40we collectively at Excel have chosen to do or have chosen to do as an actor.
01:45It is an incredible event, the Battle of Rezangla.
01:47It's about selflessness at its optimum.
01:54It's about love for the country in a way that very rarely have we witnessed or we've seen.
02:01And it's a story that has largely been forgotten.
02:03So it was just very, very heartening to be involved in something that reintroduces this chapter of history to a generation today.
02:12So that's really how I see it.
02:14I see it as a story that's a really important story that needs to be told.
02:17Ritesh, it's the first time that paid preview is opening three days before the launch.
02:2118th is the day which has been chosen by you.
02:24Why 18th?
02:25The significance of the day.
02:27I think it's the anniversary of the Battle of Rezangla.
02:30So that is why it is.
02:32It's, I think, you know, you're trying, you're, you're, the movie, we are, it's coming into cinemas.
02:38We wanted that before anybody else, which is our fraternity or friends or family, why not give an opportunity on the anniversary day to letting the audience, which goes to cinema, experience the film before anyone else.
02:52So it's not us.
02:54It's anyone who can go out there and buy a ticket should go.
02:56Also Tuesday happens to be the day where people are, the footfalls in cinemas are pretty high.
03:03So we thought, why not just open it up and let them come and it's that kind of film which I think it's word of mouth will definitely be good and positive.
03:12Rajneesh, this is one of the ten battles of, which is being seen as the defining battles of the world.
03:21In terms of history, its depiction and the entire effort at storytelling, what went behind it?
03:30A lot actually.
03:31I researched the film for two years.
03:35We wrote the film for two years and we tried to make the film for two years.
03:39So that's six years of work put in there.
03:42A lot of research from the army, from the surviving members of the battle.
03:48So, you know, I can imagine shooting a film of this scale and this nature, what it takes.
03:54We had a crew of 600 people every day in Ladakh going to work with equipment.
03:59And they were there for two years?
04:01No.
04:01We were shooting for about four months, out of which we were shooting for about 60 days.
04:07But it's all spread across all these months because there's a lot of equipment and a lot of action sequences, battle sequences to be shot.
04:14So there's a lot that goes into making a war film so you can imagine.
04:18Farhan, how do you portray such characters which have heavy historical and emotional legacy?
04:25I mean, of course, firstly, with a certain degree of responsibility and respect.
04:33But also, as an actor, of course, it's crucial to draw from the person whatever's available in terms of material to be read in this case.
04:43Predominantly, with Shaitaan Singh Ji, there's no video footage of him at all.
04:47So I could only base it on what was available to be read online or then there's a book written by Jai Samota, a very, very detailed book about his life.
04:56So you can draw from that and then just try and infuse what his character was into your performance.
05:01I have tried this before with Milka Ji when we did Bhaag Milka Bhaag and now for this film.
05:08So it's really trying to embody the personality, embody the kind of person as opposed to impersonation of the character because to me, I don't feel that works.
05:19So the art of storytelling and coming very close to the character that you're portraying, do you think that's far more challenging because through the books and the absence of any footage, people may have some memories, particularly those who would have written on him?
05:38Yeah, they would and his family would, for sure.
05:40So we did organize a screening for Narpajji and the family to come and see it.
05:46They came to the edit studio and watched it then.
05:48And he was very, very moved and very, very happy with what he saw.
05:54What was his reaction first?
05:55I was sitting right next to him and I mean, he was just sitting there and every time things would happen that obviously even he had heard about as a child but had never witnessed it.
06:06So it must have been a very interesting, surreal experience for him to see something on screen.
06:11So every time something would happen that I guess registered with him emotionally on some level as a memory that may have been evoked, he would just reach out and hold my hand and just keep my hand held for a while and then move his hand away again.
06:23And then he just woke up and gave me a really big hug and that was an amazing, that's all that needed to be said.
06:29Yes, because I think that there was a lot of emotion in it.
06:32Three months ago, XL Entertainment unveiled the teaser and now we are seeing the film.
06:39Three months ago when it was unveiled, what was the reaction that you got from the family then?
06:44I think it was very, very positive, very encouraging.
06:50I think that time they had already seen a rough cut and it's not only them, it's even the army, the Indian army, the ADGPI because they had obviously read the script before they came on board to support the film.
07:02The other two surviving members as well, Ram Chandra Ji, Nehal Ji, they all saw it.
07:08So it was very overwhelming to see their reaction because finally I think after 60 years somebody was telling the story.
07:13You know, so they knew it's finally coming to life, you know, so I think, I mean, they were all just like completely emotional about it.
07:21As directors, producers, you always want the audience to get the message that you wish to communicate, Razneesh.
07:29We have seen Uri, there has also been Sher Shah and now this.
07:34The response that was there on Uri for Sher Shah, do you have the sense in your head or perhaps among your discussions that you've held that what if we have been very responsible in the way it has been communicated?
07:50What if there are certain parts that can communicate, have a different kind of interpretation?
07:57Well, I can't speak for other films, but my objective for this film is there are lots of underlying themes in this film.
08:04Themes of courage, themes of bravery, themes of camaraderie.
08:08And, you know, 120 soldiers against all odds.
08:12They could have retreated, but they decided to stay back.
08:15All of them had families, so imagine what must have gone through their heads.
08:20So as far as I'm concerned, I'm just trying to bring that emotion to the screen of these brave soldiers of Indian Army.
08:27Okay, so you all have worked together, Farhan.
08:31There has been projects where you have done, you know, you have conceptualized and then finally implemented it.
08:37Actually, does it work better when you have worked with an individual in the past?
08:41Great degree of understanding, a lot of unsaid words.
08:45Yeah, I mean, it would help.
08:46I mean, eventually, like any other relationship, I mean, you start understanding the other person's silence is a lot more.
08:51You know, you don't have to say everything.
08:53Sometimes just a look is enough, you know, or the absence of one.
08:57So that does help.
08:58But eventually, I think as creative people or as people in film, you want to work with enthusiastic people.
09:05I think that's what you really, really want.
09:07You don't want anyone on set, and I don't mean this only as a director or as an actor.
09:12Every single crew member has to bring a certain energy when they come onto the set.
09:17And that can only happen if, as the director predominantly, then supported by production,
09:23you make every single person realize that this film belongs to them too.
09:29That's when they'll bring their best work.
09:32That's when they'll bring ideas, they'll bring suggestions.
09:35And when that happens, I feel that, like, kind of galvanizes and gives you a great energy to make a film.
09:40Energy is something that you're emphasizing on.
09:42And do you think it becomes even more important because you're talking about a story of courage, sacrifice?
09:47You know, we can only draw from what we witness in this story and what we witness in this film.
09:54But to me, I mean, what they achieved there, what they stood for there, what they represent is a lot more than just soldiers at the front.
10:03You know, to me, they represent people, how Indians can be, we can find it within themselves to be selfless,
10:11how they can find it within themselves to stand up and be courageous when it looks like the odds are completely against you.
10:18How, when we take things like freedoms, rights, our culture, our boundaries on a map for granted,
10:27we just always feel they'll always be there.
10:29But there's always something out there that wants to impose something onto all these things.
10:34And we, as they are soldiers, we also have to be, we have to be soldiers and we have to, like,
10:39also keep our country functioning the way that it has been for all these years.
10:43Yes, and this has been the year of Operation Sindhu, Razneesh.
10:48And the involvement of the entire country in each and every operational details.
10:54We saw strong women becoming the face of communication for this entire Operation Sindhu.
11:02Besides patriotism, what is it that you want this film to carry forward?
11:08Well, when I was a kid, we were all scared for our fathers because my father was in the army.
11:14And we had lost the war to China.
11:16And so we were all scared as kids, if there's another war, what's going to happen to my father?
11:22And when I heard this story, I wanted to tell this story to the world because, you know,
11:27after watching this film, I want people to feel that as long as there are men like this protecting this, you know, land of ours,
11:34we shouldn't worry.
11:35We can go to sleep.
11:36Yes, because being an army kid, it must have been very emotive the entire journey.
11:41When you say that two years of research and two years of other work and then shoot, everything.
11:48It's been a six-year labor of love.
11:50Absolutely, very much so.
11:51Today's a very emotional day for me because we're finally showing the film to the army folks.
11:56And I grew up as an army brat.
11:58So for me, this is very, very important.
12:01So today's my exam with all these army officers sitting there and dissecting my film.
12:06I certainly hope you pass the exam in flying colors and you get endorsement for your friends as well.
12:13Ritesh, do these films mean good business or is it just a creative process?
12:19You know, I personally think filmmaking and doing movies is an art form where you shouldn't think about the business first.
12:28The first thing has to be the creative because the business will follow.
12:31Because, I mean, you know, it's the first thing I learned when we did Dil Chaat Hai.
12:36That it's inherently, you can't predict anything.
12:41It's got that inherent quality that you may think you have the best script.
12:45You'll have the best actor.
12:47You'll have the best director.
12:48And you don't have a second chance that one Friday is what it is.
12:52So I don't think it's the business of it which should be looked at.
12:56I think the hope is always that how do you get in a large number of people to believe in what you're believing in.
13:05Right?
13:05And you to come and share that story.
13:07So the effort is always to share it with the maximum number of people.
13:10Okay, so from Dil Chaat Hai to now, what makes Farhan Akhtar your go-to person?
13:17I'll say go-to person because you all also have collaborations at other levels besides, of course, he being an actor and you being a producer.
13:25I mean, I think we started this journey together.
13:29I think if it, the belief in telling the same stories, you know, I think the sensibilities being similar, that's how Excel was born and Dil Chaat Hai was made.
13:37And then after that, I think what is great to know that he's a writer, right?
13:42Yes.
13:43His acting came in later.
13:45And the fact that I think very strong creatively has a very strong idea.
13:51So it's a very great, great bouncing board.
13:53And that is where we've been successful with first-time directors.
13:56Right?
13:56If you've noticed, most of our body of work has been first-time filmmakers because I think what they realize is they can come in.
14:01There's an experience we have.
14:03So they get to borrow or share.
14:04I think with every new filmmaker, we also use that opportunity to learn something from them and make it a collaborative effort.
14:12So I think that's what I think becomes the go-to for others to come and, you know, knock on the doors of Excel.
14:18I would like to add something.
14:19They believe in meaningful cinema.
14:21And that means a lot to directors.
14:24Meaningful cinema.
14:25Yeah.
14:25I mean, there should be a message in every film, I believe.
14:28It could be hidden, could be in your face.
14:30But they believe in a very realistic kind of cinema and, you know, that's why I'm sitting with them.
14:36It's a popular medium, you know.
14:37You're engaging with people.
14:39You have an ability to influence people.
14:41So I think at one point you are, I think, more than entertaining, you're engaging with them.
14:45But you also have to be a little cautious about what is it that you're saying.
14:48So if you want to entertain them and engage them, but there has to be some amount of responsibility at that.
14:54So, Farhan, when the script was being discussed, when you were involved in the process of writing and, you know, conceptualizing,
15:02when did you realize that the central character should be played by you?
15:05It was made very easy for me because, actually, most of the work had been done by Rajiv and Rezi.
15:13They wrote the script.
15:15They wrote the screenplay.
15:16And so when he came and met me, it was already a screenplay that was complete.
15:19And he met me very, very clearly with the intention of wanting to cast me as Shaitan Singhji.
15:25So it took me next to no time to say, yes, I want to do it.
15:29Because I was absolutely blown away by the events that unfold in the script and how moving it is.
15:35I mean, there's one which is the testosterone aspect of it.
15:38You know what I mean?
15:39You get to do action and you get all that stuff.
15:41But beyond that, what these guys stood for, what they represent, which we spoke about earlier,
15:46to me, that was, it has a lot of heart.
15:49And it's a very, very moving film.
15:52So I was immediately hooked.
15:54And I was immediately on.
15:56And I mean, the first possible opportunity that one could get to get cracking and get it made, we took it.
16:02We often talk about actors coming of age, a phrase which is used loosely as well.
16:09But for Farhan Akhtar, what does that actually mean?
16:12In a year when we have seen one of the biggest hits in recent years in Sayyara.
16:19Right.
16:20What does it mean, coming of age?
16:21Yeah, what does it mean?
16:22I guess coming of age on some level means finding your own voice, you know, and being able to like...
16:27But didn't you find it, I would say, Dil Chaata Hai.
16:30Yeah, but are you saying that I'm coming of age?
16:32No, I'm just saying, I'm trying to understand what will it mean for somebody like you's experienced,
16:37has had several successes, and in a year when you have a success, a box office success in Sayyara.
16:46No, I think, firstly, I'm really happy that Sayyara did well, for reasons apart from the fact that I know most of the people associated with that film.
16:56Mohit Suri is a very good friend.
16:58We've known Ahan from the time that he was really, really young.
17:02I'm really happy for Anit.
17:04She's an amazing actor, and I'm really glad that it's done well.
17:06But for me, the nicest part of that film, actually, was in a slew of movies where we are seeing a very strange kind of toxic masculinity play out.
17:21To see a guy who really has a sensitive side to him, who's willing to put career and ambition and this kind of focused dream of wanting to achieve something aside for somebody that he loves,
17:34and showing a sensitive side of a man and of a boy, I thought that was an amazing thing.
17:39And I feel that's what was so refreshing about that movie, that, you know, it's okay to be that kind of way, and it's okay to love unabashedly, and it's okay to sacrifice career for love.
17:51And I thought it was great. I loved it.
17:53And this year also saw Kantara.
17:55Yes, it did.
17:57And we are seeing a number of regional cinema do phenomenally well.
18:00So the term that India was Bollywood cinema, that has expanded and exploded, many would say.
18:06Yeah, I mean, but you know, the thing is, it's Indian cinema at the end of it all.
18:10Indian cinema, yes.
18:11It's at the end of it all.
18:12So I mean, it's great that any film does well.
18:15And especially films doing well theatrically is a great message for everybody in every industry, that there is an audience out there that is willing to go into a theatre and watch your film.
18:27If you give them something that is going to be worth their while to take the time from getting up from their sofas and go somewhere and see it.
18:34So it's very encouraging when films do well.
18:36And what was the reaction of your father when he saw the trailer?
18:40No, he loved it. I mean, he's seen the film. He's seen the film in an edit as well. He was very moved.
18:45He's not someone who, I'm sorry, I'm spilling the beans here, Dad.
18:49But he's not somebody who cries very easily when he's watching a film.
18:52But he was very, very teary and very, very choked up at the end.
18:56So we really felt like we've managed to do something.
18:58And sister Zoya?
18:59Zoya has not seen the final film. She came in on an earlier thing. She'll watch it now on the 19th with the rest of the film industry.
19:06That's phenomenal. What are you watching these days, Rit, on OTT?
19:11On the streaming platform?
19:13Yes.
19:13Actually, I've just, on the way here, I was just about to start Delhi crime.
19:17So that's what, and I was about to start that, watching it.
19:22And anything else that you've seen recently?
19:26Recently?
19:27Would this be also coming on OTT eventually?
19:30Yeah, eventually, yeah.
19:31Eventually, yes.
19:31Right now it's only for theatrical.
19:32It'll eventually get onto a streaming platform.
19:35And as well as satellite broadcast.
19:38But that's the normal windowing which happens with films.
19:40And XOB's Bahadur will be in multiple languages, subtitles and everything?
19:44No, it's in Hindi language, but with subtitles everywhere.
19:48Subtitles everywhere.
19:49What are you watching these days?
19:50Nothing, I've just been working on the film.
19:53You didn't get time for anything else.
19:56Varan?
19:57Yeah, moral is the same.
19:58The last thing that I saw that I really liked was Homebound.
20:00I really, really enjoyed that.
20:02Yes.
20:02So overall, after this, which project are you heading for?
20:06So next year, I start filming Dawn 3.
20:09So as a director, I'll be working on that.
20:11So that pretty much will take up about six, seven months of my next year.
20:14Okay, so let's try and wrap up this conversation.
20:17And I'm going to go to what has happened,
20:19which certainly will be one of the most defining moments for all of you,
20:23which was a customized, my stamp on the Rezangla war memorial,
20:28which was released by Raksha Mandri Railanath Singh recently.
20:32How significant was that moment for all of you?
20:36I mean, firstly, I'm just really grateful for his grace,
20:39you know, that he took time out,
20:41because it happened when we met him.
20:43It was a couple of days after the explosion that happened at Red Fort.
20:47So for him to still honor his commitment and meet us even for just for 10 minutes,
20:53I think was very, very wonderful.
20:56And just thank you to the Indian Postal Service.
20:59Thank you to the Indian Army for supporting this idea that we had
21:02of wanting to commemorate the Battle of Rezangla through this, my stamp.
21:06So yeah, just wonderful.
21:08Yeah, I think it's like this story is coming to the forefront after almost 60 years.
21:13So it was a good way to, you know, have this recognition as well.
21:17And that stamp come out on this famous battle.
21:20And will we be seeing more of this?
21:22These battles?
21:24Unknown battles, or should I say little known battles?
21:26Well, if I have the support of these two gentlemen, then definitely.
21:31So let's end this with something that really you hold on to about this battle
21:38and your role, Farhan.
21:41Again, I'm sorry for the sake of repeating myself.
21:45I'm just blown away by the selflessness of the people there,
21:49of all associated with that battle, be it Shaitan Singhji, be it the 120 soldiers.
21:53It really is something that we all can learn from.
21:58That when, I mean, if there's a cause that's worth fighting for,
22:01then, I mean, you have to go for it.
22:03And your famous dialogue, you have to end with that.
22:06With my famous dialogue?
22:07From this movie.
22:08So one of the dialogues that I say in it is,
22:11just at the end, to inspire the last group that's left standing,
22:16I say,
22:16Shukriya Farhan, thank you, Ritesh, and thank you, Razneesh Ghai, for this conversation.
22:35J'ai, J'ai, J'ai!
22:37He's up!
22:39He's up!
22:41He's up!
22:43He's up!
22:44No!
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