Delhi HC Dismisses Plea Against Farhan Akhtar’s ‘120 Bahadur’, Confirms Tomorrow Release

20 November 2025, New Delhi: There is good news for Farhan Akhtar and the makers of the war drama 120 Bahadur. The Delhi High Court has dismissed the plea that challenged the release of the movie. This means the film will release in theaters on its planned date, November 21, 2025, without any delay. The court said that it is too late to stop the release or change the name of the movie now.

This decision comes as a big relief for the production house, Excel Entertainment. They have already distributed the movie to cinema halls across India. Stopping it now would have caused a huge loss.

Why Was the Case Filed?

A group called the Sanyukt Ahir Regiment Morcha filed a petition against the movie. This group represents the Ahir community. They were unhappy with how the movie showed the famous Battle of Rezang La.

Their main complaint was about the title and the story. They felt the movie gave all the credit to Major Shaitan Singh (played by Farhan Akhtar). According to them, the movie ignored the bravery of the other soldiers who were mostly from the Ahir community. They wanted the makers to change the movie title to 120 Vir Ahir. They also said the film distorts historical facts by making it look like a “one-man show.”

What Did the High Court Say?

The Delhi High Court bench, led by Justice Prathiba M Singh and Justice Shail Jain, heard the matter. The court refused to stay the release. They gave a very practical reason. The judges noted that tickets are already sold and prints are delivered. Making changes at the last minute is not possible.

However, the court did not ignore the soldiers’ families completely. The producers told the court that they had mentioned the names of all 120 soldiers in the movie credits. The court accepted this.

But the court also gave a condition. They said the petitioners should watch the movie. If they find that any soldier’s name is missing or if there is a mistake, the makers must correct it later. (According to Live Law, the High Court directed that if any corrections are needed, they must be done before the film releases on OTT platforms).

Makers Promise Full Credit

During the hearing, the lawyers for the film assured the court that they respect the soldiers. They said the movie is a tribute to the 13 Kumaon Regiment. They confirmed that the names of all the brave soldiers who fought in 1962 are shown at the end of the film.

(As per Hindustan Times, the makers clarified that the film does not insult any community and honors the collective bravery of the regiment). The court felt this assurance was enough to let the theatrical release happen.

Impact on the Movie Release

With this legal hurdle gone, 120 Bahadur is set for a smooth release tomorrow. The controversy might actually help the movie. Sometimes, news like this makes more people curious to watch the film. The movie tells the story of how 120 Indian soldiers fought against thousands of Chinese troops in Ladakh. It is expected to be a very emotional watch for Indian audiences.

(In a report by The Hindu, it was mentioned that the plea also claimed the film violates the Cinematograph Act by presenting a distorted view of history, but the court prioritized the scheduled release.)

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Opinion & Methodology

Opinion

“This judgment is a lifesaver for the film. In India, legal stays on release day can kill a movie’s business instantly. By allowing the release, the court has saved the producers from a disaster. From a box office view, this controversy has created free publicity. The ‘Battle of Rezang La’ is a proud moment for India. If the emotion connects, 120 Bahadur can see a good jump in collections over the weekend. The ‘Ahir’ sentiment is strong in states like Haryana, and if the makers have truly honored the soldiers, the film will perform well in those belts.”

BoxOfficeWala

Methodology

This news report is based on the court proceedings that took place in the Delhi High Court on November 19, 2025. We verified the details from legal news portals and official statements from the production team. The release date and petitioner details were cross-checked with public court records.