Bollywood / Salman Khan Caught in China Crossfire over "Battle of Galwan"
Key Points
- Salman Khan’s upcoming war drama Battle of Galwan has drawn sharp criticism from Chinese media.
- Social media critics in China argue that costumes, visuals, and combat sequences appear unrealistic, while the film’s depiction of Colonel Santosh Babu has been called one-sided.
- Despite the controversy, the film—scheduled for release on April 17, 2026.
New Delhi, Jan 2: Salman Khan's upcoming war drama "Battle of Galwan" has become the center of a major controversy, especially among Chinese audiences and media. The film based on the real-life clash between Indian and Chinese soldiers in the Galwan Valley in June 2020—released its first teaser in late 2025, drawing strong reactions across the border.
China's state-run newspaper Global Times has criticized the teaser, accusing the film of twisting events and exaggerating the facts surrounding the clash. According to the publication -- the teaser does not align with what it describes as the accurate account of the border confrontation. It further claims that Bollywood's emotionally charged portrayal cannot change the reality of the situation at the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
The Chinese media also questioned several aspects of the film's representation—critics on social media outlets argue that the visuals and narrative choices, including costumes, hairstyles, and combat sequences, appear unrealistic and disconnected from the harsh condition of the actual event.
Some commenters went as far as calling certain scenes “over-the-top” and more suited to fictional drama than historical depiction.
📱 Get Argus News App
✨At the heart of the dispute-- is how each side remembers the June 2020 clash in eastern Ladakh's high-altitude Galwan Valley. India officially lost 20 soldiers in the violent hand-to-hand combat in eastern Ladakh’s high-altitude Galwan Valley. India officially lost 20 soldiers, and China lost 42 soldiers, according to reports of the violent hand-to-hand combat, and the event has since been a symbol of sacrifice.
In the film Salman portrays the role of Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu, an Indian Army officer who lost his life in the battle.
Chinese media reports have challenged this portrayal, saying that it is exaggerated and aligned with a one-sided Indian perspective.
The film’s release is still months away—currently scheduled for April 17, 2026. Battle of Galwan has not only become a highly anticipated Bollywood project domestically but also internationally.
(Compiled By- Aditi Majhi)
Related Topics
Explore more stories