Farhan Akhtar‘s war epic “120 Bahadur” will make cinematic history with an unprecedented screening at the Rezang La War Memorial Auditorium in Chushul village, Ladakh, marking what organizers claim is the highest-altitude film release ever at 16,452 feet.
The film centers on the Battle of Rezang La, the 1962 conflict in which 120 Indian soldiers of Charlie Company, 13 Kumaon Regiment, fought Chinese forces at an altitude of over 16,000 feet in Ladakh, with 114 soldiers killed in action.
The screening on Nov. 22 will bring the film to soldiers and local residents near the site of the battle, just days after its 63rd anniversary on Nov. 18. Mobile theater company PictureTime will host 14 shows at the memorial auditorium for military personnel serving in the region and villagers.
“We are going to show the film at Rezang La memorial auditorium in Chushul village, which is next to the mountain pass where the war was fought,” said Sushil Chaudhary, founder-CEO of PictureTime, who will be on site amid harsh minus-10-degree Celsius conditions. “This is going to be the highest altitude screening for any film. We are proud that the story of this incredible bravery will be witnessed by the villagers and soldiers on the big screen. We will show the film for at least two weeks.”
The mountain premiere follows the recent announcement that “120 Bahadur” will become the first film to release across India’s defense theaters. In partnership with GenSync Brat Media, PictureTime will screen the film exclusively for the defence community in over 800 cinema halls nationwide starting Nov. 21.
The initiative represents PictureTime’s latest effort to expand cinema access beyond traditional venues. The company is currently operating an inflatable theater at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, screening titles including Shah Rukh Khan classics and contemporary films through Nov. 28.
The ensemble cast includes Akhtar, Raashii Khanna, Sparsh Walia, Vivan Bhatena, Dhanveer Singh, Digvijay Pratap, Sahib Verma, Ankit Siwach, Devendra Ahirwar, Ashutosh Shukla, Brijesh Karanwal, Atul Singh, Ajinkya Deo and Eijaz Khan.
Razneesh “Razy” Ghai directs. Ritesh Sidhwani and Akhtar produce for Excel Entertainment, with Amit Chandrra for Trigger Happy Studios. “120 Bahadur” opens in cinemas Nov. 21.
