‘As long as men like this exist’: Ghai’s film salutes Rezang La’s bravest

Nearly a decade after director Razneesh Ghai first heard the haunting tale of courage of Indian Soldiers at Rezang La, the story has finally found its voice on screen. 120 Bahadur, a visceral retelling of the iconic battle fought by 120 soldiers of 13 Kumaon Regiment, in the unforgiving terrain at an altitude of more than 16,000 feet in Chushul sector of Ladakh, premiered at the ongoing International Film Festival of India (IFFI), carrying with it years of inspiration, grit and an unshakable tribute to valour.

In an exclusive with The Statesman, Ghai said that ever since he heard the story from his brother, Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy) Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, the former Director General of Military Operations, it has been haunting him to be retold. “I started working on the film five years ago.

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Ghai said the film is layered with themes of camaraderie, courage and the unwavering spirit of Indian soldiers. Reflecting on his childhood as an Army officer’s son, he recalled growing up in a time when India had lost the war to China. “The reason I wanted to make this film is, when we were growing up as army kids, India had lost the war to China. And we used to be worried for our fathers,” he said.

“We used to worry if they go to war again, what’s going to happen to them? And that’s when, you know, I heard the story and I decided I want to make this film. I want Indians to see this film, you know, our countrymen and women. See this film and they should know that as long as there are men like this, we shouldn’t be afraid, we can go to sleep peacefully,” an emotional Ghai added.

Speaking about his brother, the former Director General Military Operations who played an instrumental role during Operation Sindoor, Ghai said that the General helped him with a lot of input while making the film. “I’m making this film because of him. He’s the one who told me this story about ten years ago and it stayed in my mind. It’s only about five years ago that I started working on this. I’ve been living with this for a long time. Thanks to him we’re making this movie,” he said.

When asked why the film does not explicitly credit the character based on then Brigade Commander Brigadier T.N. Raina, portrayed by Ajinkya Deo, Ghai said the team was unable to contact his next of kin to seek permission. “Without their consent, I didn’t want to go ahead with it. But everyone knows who the character represents,” he added.

Before its global release, 120 Bahadur became embroiled in a legal dispute after the Sanyukt Ahir Regiment Morcha and families of Rezang La soldiers filed a PIL claiming the film misrepresented the historic battle. On Wednesday, however, the Delhi High Court allowed the release to proceed, noting that last-minute changes to the title or content were not feasible. The court recorded that the film ends with a tribute naming all 120 soldiers, and said any further corrections, if needed, could be incorporated in the OTT version.

Speaking about the same, Ghai said they have given due credit to the soldiers who laid down their lives in the battle. “I don’t know what they (petitioners) were complaining about. They should all come to the theatres and watch this film. Then they will know that they’ve been wasting their time and money getting into a legal battle,” he said.

On being asked if his next film would be another war movie, possibly based on Op Sindoor, Ghai laughed and said he would be taking a break now. “I’m going to take a break right now. Maybe a horror film will be next,” he added.