Veteran actress and National Award winner Shabana Azmi has expressed immense admiration for actor Farhan Akhtar's latest performance, highlighting his incredible versatility. Azmi took to social media to praise Akhtar for his role in the upcoming historical war film, '120 Bahadur', noting the stark contrast with his beloved character from the hit movie 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara'.
A Heartfelt Social Media Tribute
Using Instagram as her platform, Shabana Azmi shared a picture of Farhan Akhtar from the film alongside a heartfelt message. She wrote that she is "so so proud" of the actor and thoroughly enjoyed the movie. Azmi specifically commended his "sincere, heartfelt and subtle" performance, marking it as a significant achievement in his career.
Her post contained a remarkable observation about Akhtar's range as a performer. "Can't believe that the actor who plays Shaitan Singh is the same actor who played Imran in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara," she wrote, congratulating Akhtar, producer Ritesh Sidhwani, and the entire team behind the project.
'120 Bahadur': A Salute to India's Military Valour
The film at the center of this praise is a powerful cinematic tribute to real-life heroes. '120 Bahadur' is inspired by the legendary Battle of Rezang La from 1962, a pivotal moment in India's military history. The movie recounts the extraordinary bravery of 120 soldiers from the Charlie Company of the 13 Kumaon Regiment.
These soldiers, who were entirely from the Ahir community, made an immense sacrifice. They stood their ground against an overwhelming force of over 3000 Chinese troops on 18 November 1962. In this fierce battle, the Indian contingent inflicted more than 1300 casualties on the enemy, writing a legendary chapter of valour.
In the film, Farhan Akhtar steps into the boots of Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, PVC, the leader who valiantly commanded his men during this defining conflict. The film is directed by Razneesh 'Razy' Ghai and is produced by Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar, and Amit Chandra. Moviegoers can witness this epic tale when it releases in cinemas on November 21, 2025.
From Imran to Shaitan Singh: Farhan's Acting Range
Shabana Azmi's comparison highlights Farhan Akhtar's impressive acting spectrum. In Zoya Akhtar's directorial 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara' (ZNMD), Farhan played Imran, a free-spirited poet and one of three friends on a life-changing road trip through Spain. The character was widely praised for its charm, comic timing, and emotional depth, making it one of Farhan's most memorable roles.
The stark difference between the light-hearted Imran and the intense, real-life war hero Major Shaitan Singh showcases a dramatic transformation. This new role allows Akhtar to explore a completely different facet of his craft, moving from contemporary comedy-drama to a serious historical war epic.
The original film, ZNMD, also starred Hrithik Roshan, Abhay Deol, Katrina Kaif, and Kalki Koechlin, and remains a favourite for its themes of friendship, self-discovery, and adventure.
