The upcoming Bollywood film 'Battle of Galwan', starring Salman Khan, has triggered a sharp reaction from Chinese state media, which has labelled the project as 'propaganda'. This criticism emerged shortly after the film's teaser was released on December 27, 2025, coinciding with the actor's 60th birthday.
Chinese Media's Strong Criticism of the Film
China's Global Times news portal has been at the forefront of the criticism. The publication quoted a Chinese expert and referenced several Weibo accounts to critique the 1.12-minute teaser, which has already amassed over 21 million views on YouTube. The report dismissed the film as a 'cinematic exaggeration' that distorts facts, asserting that no amount of dramatization can rewrite history or shake the People's Liberation Army's resolve.
The film is based on the June 2020 military clash in the Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh, a deadly confrontation that severely strained India-China relations. The incident resulted in the martyrdom of twenty Indian Army personnel from the 16 Bihar Regiment. Among them was Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu, who was posthumously honoured with the Maha Vir Chakra. Reports suggest Salman Khan's role in the film is modelled on Colonel Babu.
Salman Khan's Past Stance on War and Conflict
This is not the first time Salman Khan has been part of a cinematic project centred on Indo-China conflicts. His 2017 film 'Tubelight', directed by Kabir Khan, was set against the backdrop of the 1962 Sino-Indian War. During the promotions for that film, the actor had expressed strong views against the futility of warfare.
In an interview with IANS in 2017, Salman Khan stated, "If you ask anybody if a war is good or bad, no one will say a war is good. Whatever the conflicts, they should be solved across the table. It's a negative emotion." He placed the blame squarely on the decision-makers who order military engagements.
"I think those who order war should be sent to the war front, given guns and asked to fight first. It will stop in one day," he had said. "Their hand and legs will start trembling. It will stop and they will go straight to the table and have discussions." He emphasized the human cost, noting that soldiers from both sides perish, leaving countless families in mourning.
Shifting Tides and Anticipated Backlash
Interestingly, 'Tubelight', which also featured a romantic subplot with Chinese actor Zhu Zhu, had received an extensive theatrical release in China. However, the geopolitical landscape has shifted dramatically since the 2020 Galwan clash, leading to heightened tensions. Given this context, the critical backlash against 'Battle of Galwan' from Chinese quarters was widely anticipated.
Produced by Salman Khan Films and also starring Chitrangada Singh, the military drama is scheduled for a worldwide cinematic release on April 17, 2026. The controversy has undoubtedly cast a spotlight on the film, intertwining contemporary geopolitical friction with the power of cinematic narrative and an actor's previously stated philosophy on peace.
