China Opposes Salman Khan's 'Battle of Galwan' Teaser, Accuses Film of Distorting 2020 Clash Facts

The recently unveiled teaser for Bollywood superstar Salman Khan's upcoming war drama Battle of Galwan has provoked a sharp backlash from Chinese state media, with the Global Times accusing the film of misrepresenting the events of the 2020 border clash between Indian and Chinese forces in eastern Ladakh's Galwan Valley.

Directed by Apoorva Lakhia and produced under Salman Khan Films, the movie features Khan in the role of Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu, the commanding officer of the 16 Bihar Regiment who was killed in action during the violent confrontation with People's Liberation Army (PLA) troops. The cast also includes Chitrangda Singh in the female lead role, along with Zeyn Shaw, Ankur Bhatia, and others. The film is scheduled for theatrical release on April 17, 2026.

In an article published on December 30, the Global Times described the portrayal of the June 2020 incident as inconsistent with established facts, labelling the production an exaggerated drama. Quoting military expert Song Zhongping, the state-run outlet stated that Bollywood films typically offer entertainment-focused, emotion-driven narratives but cannot alter historical reality or undermine the PLA's resolve to protect China's territorial sovereignty.

The report reiterated Beijing's longstanding position, asserting that the Galwan Valley lies on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and blaming Indian troops for initiating the clash by illegally crossing the border, thereby endangering Chinese personnel and violating bilateral agreements as well as international norms.

It further alleged that India inflated its casualty figures, spread misinformation to deceive global opinion, and tarnished the image of the Chinese military. India officially reported the loss of 20 soldiers in the fierce close-quarters combat, while China, after initially denying any deaths, later acknowledged four fatalities.

The Global Times also characterised the use of cinema to fuel patriotic feelings in India as a common practice rooted in cultural and political traditions.

Experts cited in the article emphasised that no cinematic dramatisation, regardless of its intensity, could impact a nation's sovereign territory.

The high-altitude Galwan Valley, known for its extreme weather and rugged terrain near the Aksai Chin region, remains a sensitive flashpoint along the LAC. The teaser's release on December 27, coinciding with Khan's birthday, has amplified discussions on the enduring tensions from the 2020 incident.

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