Salman Khan's upcoming film, "Battle of Galwan," which revisits the deadly 2020 clash between Indian and Chinese troops in Ladakh's Galwan Valley, has stirred controversy, drawing criticism from China. The film's teaser, released on Khan's birthday, December 27, 2025, has sparked debate, with some Chinese experts accusing it of distorting historical facts and presenting a "one-sided narrative".
Directed by Apoorva Lakhia and starring Salman Khan as Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu, the film aims to pay tribute to the bravery of Indian soldiers who lost their lives in the conflict. The narrative centers on the actions of the 16 Bihar Regiment and their leader during the intense standoff. "Battle of Galwan" is scheduled to be released on April 17, 2026.
The Galwan Valley clash, which occurred on June 15, 2020, marked a significant turning point in India-China relations, shattering decades of relative tranquility along the border. The confrontation, which took place along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the de facto border between the two countries, resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers. According to an Australian news outlet, China lost 38 soldiers in the clash, though Chinese officials claim only four died. The soldiers fought without firearms due to previous bilateral agreements, using stones, clubs, and makeshift weapons.
Chinese experts and netizens have expressed their displeasure with the film's portrayal of the events. According to the Chinese newspaper Global Times, one expert stated that Bollywood films often offer "entertainment-driven, emotionally charged" narratives that are not historically accurate. They argue that "no amount of cinematic exaggeration can rewrite history or shake the PLA's determination to defend China's sovereign territory". Some Chinese users have compared scenes from the teaser to the popular fantasy series Game of Thrones, accusing the filmmakers of copying visuals and dramatizing combat.
Indian officials have consistently rejected China's version of events, maintaining that Indian troops were responding to attempts by the PLA to unilaterally change the status quo along the LAC. The clash stemmed from border disputes, including India's infrastructure development along the LAC, which China viewed as a threat to their territorial claims.
The "Battle of Galwan" has brought renewed attention to one of the most serious military confrontations between India and China in recent decades. Following the deadly clash in 2020, the Indian government heightened scrutiny of investments from China, banned popular Chinese mobile apps, and cut direct passenger air routes to China. The film is expected to present a powerful human angle in the climax.
