Salman Khan’s ‘Maatrubhumi’ release date remains in limbo
The long‑delayed release of Salman Khan’s ‘Maatrubhumi’ – previously titled ‘Battle of Galwan’, remains uncertain as the film undergoes further script revisions and post‑production work.
A source close to the project said the team is still assessing how to move forward. It told Mid-Day, “At this stage, after making the necessary changes, the team is trying to understand what the next steps should be to ensure a smooth release. No department, whether the Ministry of Defence, the Army, or the CBFC, has seen the film yet.”
Concerns around the film began soon after the first teaser was released in December 2025. The promo drew sharp criticism from Chinese state‑affiliated media, including the Global Times, which accused the production of “distorting facts”. According to industry insiders, Indian authorities informally advised the makers in February to remove explicit references to China and the Galwan Valley clash, citing improving diplomatic relations.
Shortly afterwards, Khan announced the revised title ‘Maatrubhumi’, prompting speculation that director Apoorva Lakhia had begun reshooting portions of the film. While some of the war sequences have reportedly been retained, the narrative has now been re‑oriented towards themes of family and personal relationships, shifting the project closer to a human drama than a direct conflict‑based story.
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However, the central creative dilemma remains unresolved. With references to China and Galwan removed, the filmmakers are still grappling with a fundamental question: what, now, is the conflict at the heart of the story?
Until that issue is settled, the film’s release is expected to remain in limbo.
