In a significant gesture honoring military valor, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has declared actor Farhan Akhtar's film '120 Bahadur' tax-free in the national capital. The decision, effective from November 28, serves as a special mark of respect to the valiant soldiers depicted in the film.
Honoring Military Sacrifice Through Cinema
The film highlights the inspiring leadership of Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, who was conferred the Param Vir Chakra for his exceptional bravery during the Battle of Rezang La in 1962. His unit, predominantly composed of Ahir (Yadav) soldiers from Rewari and adjoining regions, defended the Rezang La Pass - the first line of defence of the Chushul airfield.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced the decision through a post on X, stating: "As a special mark of respect to the valiant soldiers, the Delhi Government has decided to grant tax-free status to the film in Delhi from 28th Nov. Congratulations to the creators of the film."
Farhan Akhtar's Heartfelt Response
Touched by the Chief Minister's gesture, Farhan Akhtar took to X to express his gratitude for her support. The actor wrote: "120 Bahadur is now tax-free in Delhi. Grateful to the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Delhi, @gupta_rekha ji, for her support. Her gracious gesture will help this story of courage reach an even wider audience."
Directed by Razneesh Ghai, the film portrays the heroic actions of Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, whose sacrifice remains a defining symbol of courage in India's military history.
The Challenges of Bringing Real Stories to Screen
In an interview with ANI, Farhan Akhtar opened up about the unique challenges involved in creating films based on real-life military stories. "All films are challenging in some way or another. Of course, this demanded a lot more because of where we shot it. That does make a difference," he revealed.
The actor emphasized the added responsibility of ensuring the film accurately depicted the bravery and sacrifice of the soldiers and their families. "We had to make sure that people whose family member is associated with the story, who we are representing in the film, that they should feel proud when they watch the film. That we are giving an accurate depiction, a respectful depiction," Akhtar explained.
The film features an ensemble cast including Raashii Khanna, Sparsh Walia, Vivan Bhatena and Dhanveer Singh in prominent roles, all contributing to bringing this important chapter of Indian military history to contemporary audiences.
