After directing Aamir Khan in the iconic Dil Chahta Hai and Shah Rukh Khan in the stylish Don franchise, it has now been revealed that filmmaker Farhan Akhtar once attempted to complete the directorial trifecta by helming a film with the third reigning Khan, Salman Khan. The project was envisioned as a large-scale War Film, and the combination of the two industry titans would have undoubtedly been a massive cinematic event. However, for various reasons, this ambitious collaboration never saw the light of day.
The Ambitious 1962 War Saga
According to reports, Farhan Akhtar had developed a script centered around the historic 1962 India-China war and was keen to direct it. Convinced that Salman Khan would be the perfect fit to lead the magnum opus, Farhan approached the superstar with the offer. As per a source, “He even met Salman Khan as he felt that the superstar would be able to do justice to the lead role.” Unfortunately, the timing wasn’t right. Due to Salman’s packed schedule and prior commitments, the talks did not materialize into a concrete project, leaving the potential blockbuster on the shelf.
A Cinematic Coincidence: Two War Films Emerge
In an interesting twist of fate, years after that initial meeting, both Farhan and Salman are now coincidentally involved in separate, high-profile films that revolve around India-China conflicts. Salman Khan is currently shooting for Battle Of Galwan, a major production based on the border tensions that flared up in 2020. That film is reportedly scheduled for a 2026 release. At the same time, Farhan Akhtar is gearing up for his own return to the big screen as an actor in a similar genre.
Farhan Akhtar’s Focus Shifts to ‘120 Bahadur’
It has been clarified that the project offered to Salman was a different script and subject altogether from Farhan’s current film, 120 Bahadur. This upcoming movie marks Farhan’s return to acting after a four-year hiatus and is scheduled to hit theatres on November 21 this year. The film’s recently released teaser has already generated significant buzz. While the dream collaboration between Farhan the director and Salman the actor remains a “what if” for now, fans can look forward to seeing both stars explore the war genre in their respective upcoming features.
About 120 Bahadur
120 Bahadur is an upcoming war drama directed by Razneesh ‘Razy’ Ghai and produced by Excel Entertainment. The film features Farhan Akhtar in a leading acting role and boasts a large ensemble cast. It is based on real-life events of the India-China conflict and is set for a theatrical release on November 21, 2025.
(Also read: No Breaks For Tiger Shroff Post Baaghi 4 – The Actor Kicks Off Sachin Ravi’s Action Film This September )
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