On July 4, 2025, Bollywood superstar Salman Khan unveiled the first look of his upcoming film, Battle of Galwan, directed by Apoorva Lakhia, which portrays Colonel B. Santosh Babu in the 2020 Galwan Valley clash. The motion poster, shared on social media, has ignited fan excitement.
Salman Khan’s motion poster for the Battle of Galwan, posted on Instagram, shows him bloodied and moustachioed as Colonel B. Santosh Babu, who led the 16 Bihar Regiment during the June 15–16, 2020, clash with Chinese troops. The film, based on India’s Most Fearless 3 by Shiv Aroor and Rahul Singh, depicts the brutal hand-to-hand battle at 15,000 feet, the first fatal Sino-Indian conflict in 45 years, costing 20 Indian and 40 Chinese lives, per Ministry of Defence data.
The reveal, garnering 3 million Instagram views, sparked a frenzy, with fans posting, “Salman’s back with a patriotic banger!” Following his 2025 hit Sikandar, which grossed ₹450 crore, according to Box Office India, fans anticipate a powerful performance. Directed by Apoorva Lakhia, known for Shootout at Lokhandwala, the film promises intense action and patriotism, aligning with Bollywood’s trend of military dramas, such as Shershaah. Production by Salman’s SKF banner ensures a grand scale.
The Galwan Valley clash fought without firearms due to border agreements, involved stones and sticks, highlighting India’s resilience. Colonel Babu was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra and became a national hero. The film’s narrative, rooted in authentic accounts, aims to honour the soldiers’ sacrifice, resonating with India’s 1.4 billion population amid ongoing border tensions, per The Hindu. Its release is slated for Republic Day 2026.
Salman Khan’s Battle of Galwan taps into India’s patriotic fervour, amplifying the 2020 clash’s legacy while boosting Bollywood’s global reach, with 2025 exports hitting $1.2 billion, per FICCI-EY. The film’s intense first look sparks discussions on national pride and cinematic storytelling, positioning Khan as a cultural force. It honours India’s military while engaging a global audience.
