US EditionExplained: Why Chinese Media Is Targeting Salman Khan's 'Battle of Galwan'
Chinese media accuse the film of distorting facts and fueling nationalism, while Indian experts say it reflects national trauma; the teaser sparked strong reactions online, Global Times reported.
- On April 17, 2026 the film is slated for release, but controversy has already erupted as Chinese media and commentators criticised the unreleased Battle of Galwan, film directed by Apoorva Lakhia and produced by Salman Khan Films.
- Chinese commentators say the film distorts facts and stokes nationalism, while Beijing reiterated its 2020 claim that India crossed the Line of Actual Control and the PLA defended Chinese territory.
- The film depicts the summer 2020 Galwan Valley clash, dramatizing the deadliest confrontation in decades, with Salman Khan portraying Colonel B. Santosh Babu, criticized by Chinese media as exaggerating facts.
- Online reactions and expert commentary signalled potential diplomatic strain despite recent rapprochement, as Weibo users criticised the teaser as 'over-the-top' and observers warned it could flare Indo-China tensions despite confidence-building measures in 2025.
- Past bans show how sensitive security-themed films can affect diplomatic ties, as Dhurandhar faced restrictions in Gulf countries and Pakistan amid ongoing Line of Actual Control militarisation since 2020.
20 Articles
20 Articles
Salman Khan’s ‘Battle of Galwan’ gets flak from Chinese media, Indian govt says cinema artistic expression - The Tribune
According to the paper, Chinese experts alleged that no matter how 'over-the-top' a drama may be, a nation’s sacred territory will never be affected by a film, as per the outlet.
China irked by teaser of Salman’s Battle of Galwan, reiterates claims over valley 5 yrs after skirmish
Set to release in April 2026, the film has created a flutter in China. 'No over-the-top drama can affect a nation’s sacred territory,' state-run Global Times quotes an expert as saying.
Chinese experts have raised questions about the theme and timing of Salman Khan's film, "Battle of Galwan." An article in the Global Times stated that the film presents a one-sided Indian narrative, which could escalate tensions in India-China relations. However, the film's teaser has been well-received in India, and it is being considered an important film in Salman Khan's career. The film is based on the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes. Chinese exp…
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