China Hits Back at Salman Khan’s Battle of Galwan Film, India Fires Back

In Shorts

• China’s state media calls Battle of Galwan exaggerated and historically inaccurate
• India asserts filmmakers’ creative freedom and rejects foreign criticism
• The film, based on the 2020 Galwan clash, is set for April 2026 release

Salman Khan’s highly anticipated war drama Battle of Galwan has become the center of an international controversy, with Chinese state-linked media outlets taking aim at the film’s portrayal of historical events. The teaser, released recently, sparked strong reactions in China where critics claim the movie distorts and sensationalizes the 2020 Galwan Valley clash between Indian and Chinese troops.

China’s official narrative, voiced by the Global Times and experts quoted therein, insists that the film exaggerates key aspects of the border confrontation and presents a one-sided account favoring India. Critics argue that no cinematic depiction, no matter how dramatic, can rewrite history or influence territorial realities along the contested Line of Actual Control. Some Chinese social media users also chimed in, describing the visuals as over-the-top or inconsistent with known facts.

In response, Indian government sources have dismissed the criticism, stressing that India upholds artistic freedom and that filmmakers have the right to explore stories they find significant. Officials reiterated that cinematic expression should not be politicised and clarified that the government does not interfere in movie production.

The film depicts the violent face-off in eastern Ladakh’s Galwan Valley, where hand-to-hand combat between Indian and Chinese soldiers in June 2020 led to casualties on both sides. India officially acknowledges the loss of 20 soldiers in the confrontation, while China has publicly stated a lower number of its deaths.

Directed by Apoorva Lakhia, Battle of Galwan features Salman Khan as Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu, a commanding officer who was killed in the clash. The project aims to dramatize the bravery and sacrifice of the soldiers, tapping into a powerful chapter of recent Indian military history.

Despite the diplomatic flare-up, Indian film industry figures and commentators have largely shrugged off the backlash, suggesting that creative depiction of actual events is commonplace and should not impede the film’s release or reception. Battle of Galwan is scheduled to hit theaters in April 2026.