Farhan Akhtar's '120 Bahadur' is based on the Battle of Rezang La, which happened in 1962. Let's check all about Major Shaitan Singh and his bravery during the battle.
120 Bahadur has started streaming on Amazon Prime Video from January 16, 2026. Featuring Farhan Akhtar in the lead, the war drama is based on the 1962 Battle of Rezang La, where a group of Indian soldiers fought 3,000 Chinese soldiers to protect their post in Ladakh.
Despite being unable to record good box office collections, the film created headlines for its realistic portrayal of the battle alongside the strong screen presence of the lead actors. The release strategy was also different compared to other producers, where the makers opted to start with limited shows.
For the unversed, Farhan Akhtar’s character was based on the real-life Indian Army officer, Major Shaitan Singh Bhati. Keep reading to know more about the officer and how his bravery inspired a few more films and TV shows!
The reason behind Shaitan Singh joining the Indian Army was his father, Lieutenant Colonel Thakur Hem Singh Bhati. Shaitan Singh first joined the Jodhpur State Forces after his graduation in 1949, serving in the Jodhpur Lancers. He later tied the knot with Shagun Kanwar. Shaitan Singh also served in the Kumaon Regiment, which was originally in Ambala and shifted to Jammu & Kashmir in 1962.
Major Shaitan Singh Bhati was honored with a Param Vir Chakra in 1962 after the Battle of Rezang La. Memorials dedicated to Shaitan Singh were also made at places such as the Tsaga Village in Chusul.
120 Bahadur is not the only film to bring the story of Major Shaitan Singh Bhati to the audience. Back in 2017, Shehzad Khan played the same character in a film titled PVC Major Shaitan Singh. Abhay Deol also portrayed 'Major Suraj Singh,' a role inspired by Shaitan Singh, in 1962: The War in the Hills. The series featured a fictional story with additional focus on the Galwan Valley battle alongside Rezang La.
Another TV show, Param Vir Chakra, also paid tribute to Shaitan Singh in 1988. Apart from these, the entire life of the officer was featured in a book, Major Shaitan Singh, PVC: The Man In Half Light. Two more books have been dedicated to him over the years, which include Amar Chitra Katha’s Param Vir Chakra and Roli Books’ Param Vir Chakra Shaitan Singh.
Rezang La became an area that could not be taken over by another country after the battle with the Chinese soldiers in 1962. The Chinese had started attacking during the midnight hours, followed by another in the early morning. The attacks did not stop, leading to the deaths of many Indian soldiers.
While Major Shaitan Singh was approaching the position of Platoon 7, he was injured by a machine gun. There was severe gunfire at one point, and Shaitan Singh eventually told a few soldiers to save themselves. Before they left the area, the remaining soldiers helped to put Shaitan Singh on a boulder. Shaitan Singh’s dead body was found by a shepherd three months after the battle.
What do you think about the story of Major Shaitan Singh Bhati? Let us know.
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