Ankit Siwach on Bahadur 120: Playing a soldier is a spiritual journey

India Today

18-06-2025

Actor Ankit Siwach, who impressed fans with his role in 'Kull: The Legacy of the Raisingghs', recently shared his pride in playing a soldier in Farhan Akhtar's upcoming war drama '120 Bahadur'. In an exclusive interview with Indiatoday.in, the actor detailed his role and how it was a 'dream come true' for him to work on the project.While talking about his role in the film, the actor confessed that he had manifested it and shared how it remains deeply relevant in current times, especially amid rising tensions surrounding India's socio-political landscape.advertisement'I'm playing a soldier for the very first time in my life and this is something that I dreamt of. I've always admired films like 'Border' and 'Lakshya', so being part of '120 Bahadur' feels like a dream come true. It's not just a role, it's a spiritual journey. My deep respect and admiration for the armed forces come from my childhood, growing up in the Meerut cantonment. I witnessed firsthand the discipline and dedication with which our soldiers live. That experience has stayed with me, and perhaps, on some subconscious level, I've been manifesting this moment all my life."
The actor added, 'The battle holds a great significance in our history and this story was waiting to be told and I'm very happy that Excel Entertainment is doing it. Looking at the current times, the stories of our soldiers need to be told for people to understand what it actually takes for the security and safety that we see in our country.'advertisementThe film marks Farhan Akhtar's return to the big screen as Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, PVC who led 120 soldiers of the Charlie Company during the Battle of Rezang La in 1962.While sharing details about the film, Siwach said, 'The story is absolutely factual. Of course, there are cinematic liberties, but the incident where 120 of our soldiers fought around three to four thousand Chinese soldiers and how they were able to survive that whole attack from them and protected our country, is something that the fans will witness in the film.'The actor also expressed immense pride in his brother, who was part of Operation Sindoor, India's strong retaliation to Pakistan's terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists.'I am very proud of my brothers who are serving in the forces,' he said.Directed by Razneesh Ghai, 120 Bahadur brings to life the true story of these unsung heroes, highlighting the incredible spirit of Major Shaitan Singh and his men. The film aims to honour their memory and share their story with a new generation, reminding us of their sacrifice and the strength of their spirit.