Salman Khan’s Battle of Galwan draws criticism from Chinese media
Salman Khan’s upcoming war drama Battle of Galwan has not only dominated headlines in India but also provoked reactions abroad. Chinese state-run outlets, notably the Global Times, criticised the film’s teaser and narrative, accusing it of presenting a one-sided or distorted view of the June 2020 Galwan Valley clash.
Teaser released on Salman’s 60th stirred reactions
The teaser dropped on Salman Khan’s 60th birthday, December 27, 2025, and quickly set off debate. Directed by Apoorva Lakhia, the film aims to dramatise the brutal hand-to-hand combat between Indian and Chinese troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in June 2020 — a clash that cost lives on both sides, including 20 Indian soldiers.
Global Times: “Cannot rewrite history”
The Global Times published commentary saying Battle of Galwan cannot “rewrite history,” and questioned the factual accuracy of the teaser. The piece suggested the movie’s portrayal of Indian sacrifices was exaggerated and criticised what it called a one-sided narrative.
Filmmakers and industry figures push back
Veteran filmmaker and FWICE Chief Advisor Ashoke Pandit responded firmly to the criticism, calling it predictable and rooted in insecurity rather than artistic reality. Speaking to NDTV, Pandit said the reaction from China wasn’t surprising and wouldn’t affect the film’s prospects at home or abroad. “When an Indian filmmaker makes a film, he definitely sees to it that our enemy country’s activities are exposed. We as a nation are strong, and our security forces are really brave to fight their battles for the country. So it’s basically a kind of insecurity that Global Times feels,” he said.
In comments to the Hindustan Times, Pandit added that the producers likely expected pushback and that filmmakers have the right to tell such stories. “We have the right to make a film like this on the subject and tell the world that this is what China has done to our country,” he said, pointing out long-standing geopolitical tensions.
Producer Rahul Mitra reinforced those views, stressing that thorough research goes into big films. He noted that established names like director Apoorva Lakhia and Salman Khan would not intentionally distort facts “just to make a film.”
What the film covers, and who’s in the cast
Battle of Galwan is inspired by the real-life June 2020 clash in the Galwan Valley, where soldiers faced extreme conditions and intense close-quarters fighting. The film is not being marketed as a biopic but as a drama that highlights the human cost of the clash.
- Lead: Salman Khan plays Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu, the commanding officer of the 16 Bihar Regiment during the real battle.
- Supporting cast: Chitrangda Singh, Zeyn Shaw, Ankur Bhatia and Vipin Bhardwaj.
- Director: Apoorva Lakhia.
Release date and expectations
Battle of Galwan is slated for theatrical release on April 17, 2026. Given the subject matter, star cast and the director’s track record, the film is expected to spark conversation and strong box-office interest. Industry voices say if the film is well made, audiences will respond, regardless of the controversy surrounding its portrayal of events.
Why this matters
Films about recent geopolitical events often trigger debate beyond cinema halls. Battle of Galwan sits at the intersection of patriotism, national memory and entertainment — and that mix naturally invites scrutiny from audiences and governments alike. For now, the team behind the film is standing by their work, while the teaser continues to generate discussion both in India and abroad.