In the realm of Bollywood, the work ethic of superstars often becomes a topic of public discussion. One such actor who has faced scrutiny regarding punctuality is Salman Khan. While some industry insiders have hinted at his alleged late arrivals on set, others have defended his commitment to his craft. Now, Chitrangda Singh, who is set to star alongside Salman Khan in the upcoming war drama "Battle of Galwan," has weighed in on the matter, offering a contrasting perspective based on her own experience.

Chitrangda Singh, known for her roles in films like "Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi" and "Soorma", is gearing up for "Battle of Galwan," a film centered around the 2020 Galwan Valley clash between Indian and Chinese troops. Directed by Apoorva Lakhia and produced by Salman Khan Films, the movie promises to be a patriotic military action drama.

In an exclusive interview with Zoom, Chitrangda addressed the rumors surrounding Salman Khan's punctuality. Contrary to the gossip, she lauded him as a thorough professional who is deeply invested in his work. "I had also heard of this, and I can vouch for it that not one day has he been late," Chitrangda stated. She further added that Salman was present during the shoot of emotionally crucial scenes, even when he wasn't in the shot, arriving as early as 10:30 in the morning for three consecutive days.

Chitrangda also emphasized Salman's involvement in the film's production, highlighting his dedication to improving scenes and his attentiveness to everyone's performance. "For me, everything was a surprise because you get told so much, and you expect aise hoga, vaisa hoga. It was not like that at all," she said. "He was involved in everyone's performances. He would want to watch pehle kya shoot hua hai and sit down to watch. I don't buy it when people say he is indifferent to his cinema; he is so invested and concerned".

Salman Khan himself addressed these perceptions earlier this year, clarifying that while his timings might differ from the conventional 6 am start, he maintains strict discipline and dedicates his time to other important tasks before arriving on set around 11:30 am or 12 pm. He explained that he has other commitments such as "signing papers, making calls, and working out". He also stated, "Once I am on set, I don't even go back to my van or sit down".

Previously, director AR Murugadoss had alluded to Salman's late arrivals impacting the shoot schedule of "Sikandar," even affecting child actors who had to shoot late at night.

Despite the varying accounts, Chitrangda's experience on the sets of "Battle of Galwan" paints a picture of a dedicated and involved actor. She expressed respect for Salman's devotion to his work, noting that he "only thinks of work". This viewpoint offers a counter-narrative to the existing rumors, suggesting that Salman Khan's work ethic is more nuanced than often portrayed.

"Battle of Galwan" marks the first time Chitrangda Singh and Salman Khan will share screen space. The film is slated for release in 2026, and the official release date is yet to be announced.