Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Nov 6: After months of delays, title changes and uncertainty, Salman Khan's upcoming film Maatrubhumi: May War Rest in Peace is reportedly set to hit theatres on November 20. The makers have secured the necessary clearances, including approval from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), according to sources quoted by India Today. The release date is expected to be officially announced at the film's trailer launch in Mumbai.
Initially announced as Battle of Galwan, the film was inspired by the June 2020 clash between Indian and Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley of eastern Ladakh. However, it remains to be seen whether the final version retains the Indo-China conflict as its central backdrop.
The violent confrontation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) claimed the lives of 20 Indian soldiers and became one of the most significant military flashpoints between the two countries in recent years.
The film was initially scheduled for release in April but was postponed, reportedly after the makers were asked to reshoot certain portions amid concerns over the sensitive Indo-China context. Although there was speculation about an Independence Day release, the makers eventually opted for a different release window.
Salman Khan plays Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu, commanding officer of the 16 Bihar Regiment, who led Indian troops during the Galwan confrontation. He was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra for his bravery. Chitrangda Singh plays the female lead, while Mukesh Rishi, Ankur Bhatia, Zeyn Shaw and Abhilash Chaudhary appear in key roles. Vijay Raaz reportedly lends his voice as the narrator.
The project also underwent a significant change in identity, with the original title Battle of Galwan being replaced by Maatrubhumi: May War Rest in Peace. Director Apoorva Lakhia has maintained that the film goes beyond the military confrontation and explores themes of humanity, sacrifice and the emotional cost of war.
Authors Shiv Aroor and Rahul Singh, whose book India's Most Fearless was initially associated with the project, later announced that they had ended their association with the film, stating that it had evolved beyond their account of the Galwan clash.