Vivan Bhathena, who plays a soldier in the recently released war film '120 Bahadur,' has shared insights into Farhan Akhtar's behavior on set, particularly addressing Akhtar's role as one of the film's producers. Bhathena's observations offer a glimpse into Akhtar's hands-off approach, highlighting his respect for the creative process and the contributions of his fellow cast and crew members.

According to Bhathena, Farhan Akhtar "never acted like a producer" on the set of '120 Bahadur'. In an interview, Bhathena revealed that Akhtar "didn’t interfere" with the creative aspects of the film, allowing director Razneesh Ghai and the actors to bring their own interpretations and insights to the story. This hands-off approach fostered a collaborative environment where everyone felt comfortable contributing their best work.

Bhathena also shared how Akhtar made every cast member feel comfortable. Raashii Khanna, who plays Akhtar's wife in the film, echoed this sentiment, describing the experience of working with Akhtar as "warm and easy". She praised Akhtar's "calm & intelligent presence" on set, further emphasizing his positive influence on the film's production.

'120 Bahadur' is based on the real-life story of Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, played by Farhan Akhtar, and the soldiers of the 13 Kumaon regiment who fought valiantly against the Chinese army in the 1962 Sino-Indian War. The film has been lauded for its realistic portrayal of the battle of Rezang La and its tribute to the courage and sacrifice of the Indian soldiers.

Bhathena plays Surja Ram, a courageous soldier whose story forms the emotional core of the film. He underwent a physical and emotional transformation to embody the spirit of Surja Ram. Bhathena mentioned that he had to put on weight to match Surja Ram's physicality and worked to understand the essence of the man he was portraying. He aimed to capture Surja Ram's courage, simplicity, and unwavering will to protect his comrades.

Besides his insights on Akhtar's role as a producer, Vivan Bhathena shared his experience of filming in Ladakh. He recalled Farhan Akhtar describing Ladakh as a place that "changes you". Bhathena acknowledged the challenging conditions of filming in the desolate terrain, praising the Indian soldiers for their endurance and dedication to protecting the borders. He also described the physical training the cast underwent to prepare for the demanding filming schedule, including walking long distances to build stamina and adjust to the high altitude.