Salman Khan's upcoming film Battle of Galwan draws inspiration from real-life heroes of the conflict and is based on actual events. Salman Khan comes back to the big screen by playing Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu MVC, who died valiantly defending India during the Indo-Sino War. 'Battle of Galwan,' starring Salman Khan, is one of the most anticipated films of 2026 and has an interesting and heartbreaking story that inspired it. Keep reading to know more!
The events that inspired the movie
The bloody battle between Chinese and Indian forces at Galwan five years ago remains a painful memory. For example, at the moment, since a film based on it has been finished. What China deemed as "misrepresentation of facts" has prompted strong opposition from the country. "Artistic license" is India's response.
Amidst the artistic freedom, there are disturbing realities to consider. The battle took place in the dead of night, in temperatures below freezing, utilising batons and nailed clubs. Numerous casualties were reported, including 20 from India and 4 from China. However, according to Indian army sources, the true number of casualties among the Chinese is likely to be higher. The result was a dip in India-China relations, which is still far from normal.
A small group of Indian troops began removing a Chinese tent from the Galwan River valley on June 15, 2020. This location, situated 15,000 feet above the sea level on the Karakoram range in Ladakh, close to the Line of Actual Control, is situated 15,000 feet above sea level. The Chinese side had previously promised to dismantle the tent and establish a buffer zone during negotiations on June 6. However, BL Santosh Babu, an Indian colonel, was the target of Chinese soldiers, and a confrontation ensued. Both sides sent in reinforcements as the conflict intensified. Around forty Chinese soldiers had died by the time it finished (nearly six hours later), and twenty Indian soldiers had perished because of the cold after falling into the Galwan River. However, according to China, just four troops had died, with Junior Sergeant Wang Zhuoran being the sole casualty who drowned.
The book "India's Most Fearless 3" by Rahul Singh and Shiv Aroor served as the source material for the film. This book showcases ten actual instances of incredible bravery and bravery, shedding light on the heroic deeds performed by Indian warriors in the face of tremendous hostility and dangerous provocation.
Salman Khan plays a forgotten Indian hero
Colonel Bikkumala Santosh Babu, played by Salman Khan, was a hero in this conflict with China. They were stationed in Ladakh's Galwan Valley in 2020. They had assigned him the task of setting up an observation station during Operation Snow Leopard. Indian and Chinese forces clashed in June 2020, with many soldiers also participating in hand-to-hand fighting as they passionately fought the other side. Twenty soldiers had died as a result of the fighting; Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu MVC was one of them, having fallen into frigid waters after being wounded. Ram Nath Kovind, the former president of India posthumously bestowed the Maha Vir Chakra, the country's second-highest gallantry honour, upon him following his death.
The movie stirred international controversy online
On the occasion of the actor's 60th birthday, the film's narrative about the 2020 Galwan Valley conflicts in Ladakh has been creating a lot of hype online, and there has been a current issue involving China. Days after the first-look trailer appeared, the film was released. The video has been praised by Indian fans as a memorial to the Indian soldiers who died in the fight, but other Chinese fans have accused the producers of embellishing the historical events.
Bollywood films, China argues, can only offer an emotionally charged, entertainment-driven depiction; but no amount of dramatic license can change the course of history or diminish the will of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) to protect Chinese land. There have been additional online debates about the film over various aspects, including the extras' costumes and appearance, the actors' hairstyles in relation to their military roles, the storyline's implied extreme cold, and, most significantly, the film's depiction of events that differ from what actually happened.
Battle of Galwan cast and release date
Battle of Galwan features Salman Khan in the lead, stepping into a gritty, battle-hardened role unlike his recent outings. He is joined by Chitrangada Singh, who plays a pivotal role, along with Zishan Ayyub and Anurag Thakur in key supporting parts, adding depth to the ensemble. Directed as a grounded war drama, the film prioritises realism and emotional impact over spectacle. Battle of Galwan is officially set to hit theatres on April 17, 2026, and is already being seen as one of the year’s most anticipated releases.