Salman Khan’s upcoming film Battle of Galwan has triggered sharp reactions from China, with state-run media accusing the movie of “distorting facts” related to the deadly 2020 Galwan Valley clash between Indian and Chinese troops.
The film, inspired by a chapter from India’s Most Fearless 3 by Shiv Aroor and Rahul Singh, portrays the events surrounding the violent face-off between Indian Army soldiers of the 16 Bihar Regiment and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Salman Khan plays Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu, who was killed during the confrontation while leading his troops.
Responding to criticism from Chinese media, Indian government sources said that India respects artistic freedom, and filmmakers are free to tell stories within that creative space. “India is a country with freedom of expression. Cinematic expression is part of that freedom,” sources said, adding that the government has no role in the making of the film.
China’s state-run Global Times alleged that the film misrepresents facts and claimed the Galwan Valley lies on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The article also accused India of provoking the clash, repeating Beijing’s long-standing position on the incident.
The Chinese publication dismissed the film as an “emotionally charged portrayal,” stating that “no amount of cinematic exaggeration can rewrite history or weaken the PLA’s resolve to defend China’s sovereignty.”
The Galwan clash occurred on June 15, 2020, during a standoff in eastern Ladakh, when Indian troops moved to verify the removal of a Chinese structure following prior military talks. The confrontation escalated into brutal hand-to-hand combat using sticks, stones, and spiked weapons, as firearms were prohibited under border protocols.
India officially confirmed the deaths of 20 soldiers, while China initially denied casualties before later stating that four PLA soldiers had died — a figure widely disputed. The clash led to a prolonged military standoff and a significant deterioration in India-China relations.
While Battle of Galwan focuses on the human cost and courage of Indian soldiers, its release has reopened geopolitical sensitivities surrounding the incident. India maintains that the clash occurred due to China’s attempt to unilaterally alter the status quo along the LAC.