Farhan Akhtar’s war epic “120 Bahadur” will make cinema history with an unprecedented screening at the Rezang La War Memorial Auditorium in Chushul village, Ladakh, marking what organizers claim will be the release of a film at the highest altitude 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, 13th Kumaon Regiment, fought Chinese forces at an altitude of over 16,000 feet in Ladakh, with 114 soldiers killed in action.
The November 22 screening will introduce the film to soldiers and local residents near the battle site, just days after its 63rd birthday on November 18. Mobile theater company PictureTime will stage 14 shows at the Memorial Auditorium for military personnel serving in the area and villagers.
“We will screen the film at the Rezang La Memorial Auditorium in Chushul village, which is next to the mountain pass where the war took place,” said Sushil Chaudhary, founder and CEO of PictureTime, who will be on site in harsh conditions of minus 10 degrees Celsius. “This will be the highest altitude screening of any film. We are proud that the story of this incredible bravery will be seen by the villagers and soldiers on the big screen. We will be showing the film for at least two weeks.”
The mountain premiere follows the recent announcement that ‘120 Bahadur’ will become the first film to be released in Indian theaters. In partnership with GenSync Brat Media, PictureTime will screen the film exclusively for the defense community in more than 800 theaters nationwide beginning November 21.
The initiative represents PictureTime’s latest effort to expand access to cinema beyond traditional theaters. The company is currently operating an inflatable theater at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, screening titles such as Shah Rukh Khan classics and contemporary films until November 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” hits theaters on November 21.
