Salman Khan’s Battle of Galwan Faces Criticism From China, FWICE Dismisses Impact
The teaser of Salman Khan’s upcoming film Battle of Galwan, released on December 27, has triggered criticism from sections of Chinese media and online commentators, who have accused the film of misrepresenting facts. However, Indian film industry representatives have firmly rejected these concerns, stating that the reaction will have no impact on the film’s release or performance.
The war drama, directed by Apoorva Lakhia, revisits the 2020 Galwan Valley clash between Indian and Chinese troops, a sensitive and historically significant episode that continues to shape bilateral relations between the two countries.
Background: Film Rooted in a Real Conflict
Battle of Galwan is based on the book India’s Most Fearless 3 and focuses on the events surrounding the violent face-off in eastern Ladakh’s Galwan Valley in June 2020. The clash, which involved hand-to-hand combat using sticks and stones due to firearms restrictions, resulted in casualties on both sides and marked one of the most serious military confrontations between India and China in decades.
In the film, Salman Khan portrays Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu, the Indian Army officer who led troops during the confrontation. The cast also includes Chitrangda Singh in a key role. From its announcement, the project has attracted attention for tackling a subject of national and geopolitical importance.
Industry Buzz: China Reacts, Bollywood Pushes Back
Following the teaser’s release, Chinese tabloid Global Times reported that some Chinese commentators and netizens criticised the trailer, suggesting that Bollywood films serve entertainment purposes and cannot alter historical narratives. The response quickly gained traction in Indian media, reigniting discussions around creative freedom and national storytelling in cinema.
Reacting to the criticism, Ashoke Pandit, Chief Advisor of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), said the response from China was neither unexpected nor surprising. He indicated that filmmakers in India have every right to depict events involving national interest and historical confrontations, especially when rooted in widely documented accounts.
Pandit also made it clear that the reaction from Chinese media or audiences would not influence the film’s theatrical release or box office prospects. According to him, the makers would have anticipated such responses given the subject matter, and the controversy is unlikely to affect Indian audiences.
Creative Freedom and Political Sensitivity
Industry observers note that Battle of Galwan arrives at a time when Indian cinema is increasingly engaging with politically and militarily sensitive themes. Films centered on real-life conflicts, armed forces, and national security have consistently found strong domestic audiences.
Pandit further underlined that cinema has long been a medium for nations to tell their own stories from their own perspectives. He pointed out that China’s geopolitical stance and its past actions towards India have been widely debated, and a film exploring these events cannot be dismissed simply as propaganda.
Within Bollywood, there is a broader sentiment that storytelling rooted in national experiences should not be restrained by external criticism, particularly when films are based on books, documented accounts, and lived realities.
What’s Next for Battle of Galwan
Despite the controversy, Battle of Galwan remains on track for its planned release. The teaser has generated strong curiosity among Indian viewers, especially fans of Salman Khan, who is seen in a serious, military-centric role very different from his commercial outings.
Trade analysts suggest that the film’s performance will largely depend on word of mouth, execution, and emotional depth rather than international reactions. Given the subject, expectations are high for intense action sequences, grounded storytelling, and a tribute to the armed forces.
With promotions expected to intensify in the coming weeks, the makers appear focused on domestic audiences, where interest in patriotic and real-event-based cinema remains strong.
Our Final Thoughts
The debate surrounding Battle of Galwan highlights how cinema often becomes a reflection of unresolved geopolitical tensions. While criticism from Chinese media was predictable given the subject, it also reinforces why such stories matter to Indian audiences. Films like Battle of Galwan are not about rewriting history but about presenting a perspective rooted in national memory and documented events. Ashoke Pandit’s remarks underline a larger industry consensus that creative expression should not be dictated by external discomfort. Ultimately, the film’s fate will be decided by viewers, not critics across borders. If executed with sincerity and cinematic integrity, Battle of Galwan could emerge as one of the most talked-about Hindi films dealing with recent history.