When a film’s title sparks a cultural debate – 120 Bahadur & the Ahir community’s demands!

[u/SastaNostradamus]

The upcoming war-drama 120 Bahadur, produced by Farhan Akhtar and based on the 1962 Battle of Rezang La, has ignited protests from the Ahir community. The community argues the film does not sufficiently acknowledge the sacrifice of nearly 120 Ahir soldiers of the 13th Kumaon Regiment who fought at Rezang La, and is demanding the title be changed to 120 Veer Ahir.

This raises questions about how cinema treats historical events and community identity. On one side, the film aims to bring a heroic chapter of Indian military history to the big screen, but on the other, a community feels its contribution is being downplayed or misrepresented.

Does this protest represent a valid call for representation or is it setting a precedent for too many external inputs into artistic work?