Veteran writer Honey Irani has offered a calm and grounded perspective on her son Farhan Akhtar’s reaction to the under-performance of his recent film 120 Bahadur. Speaking in an interview with journalist Vicky Lalwani, Honey addressed the emotional toll that a film’s failure can take, especially when years of effort and resources are involved.
Acknowledging Farhan’s disappointment, Honey said that setbacks are a reality every filmmaker faces. She explained that when a project does not work commercially despite intense hard work, it feels like a personal loss. According to her, the pain is natural because films involve the labour of hundreds of people and substantial financial investment. However, she stressed the importance of maintaining emotional balance, advising Farhan to never let success inflate his ego or failure weigh down his heart.
While 120 Bahadur received appreciation for its performances and its portrayal of courage, the film struggled to translate that response into box office numbers. As per Sacnilk.com, the historical war drama reportedly earned around ₹24 crore worldwide against a budget estimated between ₹80 and ₹90 crore.
Highlighting the unpredictable nature of cinema, Honey pointed out that audience response does not always align with quality. She cited Kagaz Ke Phool as an example of a film now regarded as a masterpiece despite failing during its original release. She added that it is still too soon for Farhan to move past the disappointment and that healing takes time.
Directed by Razneesh Razy Ghai, 120 Bahadur is based on the Battle of Rezang La during the 1962 Sino-Indian War. The film stars Farhan Akhtar as Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, a Param Vir Chakra awardee, and was released on November 21, 2025.
