The teaser for Salman Khan’s much-awaited war drama Battle of Galwan has ignited an unexpected diplomatic row. Chinese state-run media, led by the Global Times, criticised the film’s teaser and narrative, accusing it of distorting the facts of the June 2020 Galwan Valley clash. Indian film veterans and the movie’s makers have pushed back, calling the reaction predictable and rooted in insecurity rather than artistic truth.
What sparked the controversy
The controversy began when the film’s teaser was released on Salman Khan’s 60th birthday, December 27, 2025. Battle of Galwan is set to dramatise the brutal hand-to-hand combat between Indian and Chinese troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in June 2020 — one of the most intense clashes in recent India–China relations.
Chinese outlets, notably the Global Times, argued the film “cannot rewrite history,” called the teaser one-sided and pointed out perceived factual errors. The coverage suggested the film overstates Indian Army sacrifices and simplifies a complex geopolitical incident.
Filmmakers and industry veterans respond
Veteran filmmaker and Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) Chief Advisor Ashoke Pandit was quick to counter the criticism. Speaking to NDTV, Pandit said China’s reaction wasn’t surprising and wouldn’t affect the film’s prospects. “When an Indian filmmaker makes a film, he definitely sees to it that our enemy country’s activities are exposed. We as a nation are strong, and our security forces are really brave to fight their battles for the country. So it’s basically a kind of insecurity that Global Times feels,” he told the channel.
In a separate conversation with Hindustan Times, Pandit added that filmmakers likely expected a reaction because the film “is exposing them,” and stressed India’s right to make a film that tells its side. “China is a country that has supported Pakistan, and has created a lot of issues and problems for our country. It’s a great thing that this film is made. If the film is good, it will do well,” he said.
Producer and creative team stand by their research
Producer Rahul Mitra also defended the project, emphasising that filmmakers undertake proper research and that established names like director Apoorva Lakhia and Salman Khan would not “distort facts just to make a film.” The makers maintain the film aims to capture the human cost and intensity of the clash, rather than serve as a definitive historical account.
What the Global Times said
The Global Times criticised the teaser for presenting a one-sided account and highlighted alleged inaccuracies. The publication argued that films cannot “rewrite history” and suggested the depiction of Indian sacrifices was exaggerated. The response reflects how politically sensitive cinematic depictions of recent military encounters can be, especially when they touch on national pride and international tensions.
About the film
- Title: Battle of Galwan
- Director: Apoorva Lakhia
- Lead: Salman Khan as Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu (commanding officer of the 16 Bihar Regiment in the real battle)
- Supporting cast: Chitrangda Singh, Zeyn Shaw, Ankur Bhatia and Vipin Bhardwaj
- Inspiration: The film is inspired by the June 2020 Galwan Valley clash, a rare and brutal high-altitude encounter that resulted in casualties on both sides, including 20 Indian soldiers.
- Release date: Scheduled for theatrical release on April 17, 2026
What to expect next
With the teaser already sparking debate, expectations will be high for the full film and how it balances dramatic storytelling with the sensitivities of a recent real-world conflict. The makers insist the film highlights the human cost of the Galwan clash rather than functioning as a strict biopic.
Whether audiences focus on the cinematic portrayal or the international reaction, Battle of Galwan is set to remain a talking point as its release date approaches — both on the box office front and in conversations about how cinema engages with contemporary history.
