The release of the teaser for Battle of Galwan, starring Salman Khan, on December 27, 2025, has ignited a firestorm of debate, particularly with Chinese media outlets criticizing the film even before its release. The Apoorva Lakhia directorial, slated to hit theaters on April 17, 2026, aims to depict the intense hand-to-hand combat between Indian and Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley in June 2020. This clash, a significant event in recent India-China relations, resulted in casualties on both sides, including 20 Indian soldiers.
Chinese state-run media, including the Global Times, have accused the film of "distorting facts" about the Galwan Valley clash. The Global Times published commentary suggesting that Battle of Galwan cannot "rewrite history" and that it presents a one-sided version of events. The publication also claimed that the teaser drew negative reactions from Chinese social media users, with some describing the film as exaggerated and sensationalized. Some Chinese social media users have criticized the film for historical inaccuracies, and have questioned the portrayal of events.
In response to this criticism, Ashoke Pandit, Chief Advisor of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), has defended the film and expressed that he is not surprised by the negative reaction from Chinese media. In an interview with the Hindustan Times, Pandit stated, "We are not surprised or shocked that the media in China has responded to [the] Galwan film in such a way... If a filmmaker or production house decides to give a depiction of [the] confrontation between India and China, there is nothing wrong with it".
Pandit went on to say that the makers of the film likely anticipated this reaction, stating, "It must have been in the minds of the producers that because it is Galwan, China would react because it is a film that is exposing them". He asserted that Indian filmmakers have the right to tell their story and expose what China has done to India. He also dismissed the Chinese criticism as a sign of "insecurity".
The controversy extends beyond the media, with some Chinese social media users expressing concerns about the film's accuracy and portrayal of events. Some users have pointed out perceived inaccuracies in the teaser, such as the appearance and costumes of extras, actors' hairstyles that do not match their military roles, and a portrayal of events that does not align with the facts.
Despite the criticism, producer Rahul Mitra has defended the film's factual integrity, stating that established filmmakers and actors like Salman Khan would not distort facts for entertainment purposes. Government sources in India have also pushed back against the criticism, asserting that filmmakers have creative freedom and that Indian cinema has a long tradition of depicting historical military events. They cited previous films about India-China border incidents, such as Haqeeqat (1964) and 121, as examples.
Battle of Galwan stars Salman Khan as Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu, the commanding officer of the 16 Bihar Regiment who died in the Galwan Valley clash. The film also stars Chitrangda Singh, Zeyn Shaw, Ankur Bhatia, and Vipin Bhardwaj. The film is inspired by the June 2020 clash where 20 Indian soldiers lost their lives.
As the release date approaches, Battle of Galwan remains a subject of intense scrutiny and debate. While Chinese media and some social media users have criticized the film for allegedly distorting facts and promoting a one-sided narrative, Indian filmmakers and government officials have defended the film's creative freedom and factual integrity. The film is expected to be a cinematic effort to fuel hostility and no dramatic portrayal could alter what it described as China's territorial claims.
