Salman Khan Renames ‘Battle Of Galwan’ To ‘Maatrubhumi’ Amid Controversy
'Battle of Galwan', Salman Khan's upcoming war drama, is now titled 'Maatrubhumi'.
Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, who was last seen in the 2025 movie ‘Sikandar’, has officially announced a title change for his highly anticipated war drama. Formerly known as ‘Battle of Galwan’, the film has now been rechristened ‘Maatrubhumi’. The announcement came directly from the actor on Monday via his social media handles, where he shared a striking new poster. Accompanied by the poignant caption, “May War Rest In Peace,” followed by the hashtag #Maatrubhumi, the update has sparked intense conversation among fans and industry insiders alike.
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The new title, which translates to “Motherland,” appears to pivot the narrative from a specific border conflict to a broader, more patriotic sentiment.
Check out Salman Khan’s post regarding the title change here:
The latest poster for ‘Maatrubhumi’ features a gritty, intense portrayal of Salman Khan. The actor is seen bloodied and injured, physically straining to stop a pole wrapped in lethal barbed wire from striking him. The imagery underscores the “unflinching portrayal of courage, sacrifice, and resilience” that the makers have promised. Notably, the new poster is missing the previously announced release date of April 10, leading to speculation regarding a possible delay in the film’s theatrical debut.
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The rebranding follows a significant row involving state-backed media in China. Earlier this month, the Global Times and other outlets claimed that the film "distorts facts" regarding the 2020 Galwan conflict between Indian and Chinese forces. According to reports, the Chinese media accused the production of fuelling anti-China sentiment.
While Salman Khan Films has not explicitly linked the title change to these external pressures, the move to ‘Maatrubhumi’ is being viewed by many as a strategic effort to distance the project from the immediate diplomatic controversy while maintaining its patriotic core.
The film first grabbed headlines in December with a teaser that showcased Salman leading his troops in close combat in Eastern Ladakh. However, the footage faced a polarized reception. Some viewers pointed out that a frame of Salman holding a barbed wire bat looked remarkably similar to Jon Snow’s iconic stand in the ‘Game of Thrones’ episode, ‘Battle of the Bas***ds’.
Furthermore, Salman’s “stoic” expression in the teaser drew criticism from some sections of the audience. The actor later defended his creative choice, explaining that his character is an Indian Army Colonel, and an over-the-top, emotional reaction would not align with the stature and discipline of a high-ranking military officer.
Directed by Apoorva Lakhia, ‘Maatrubhumi’ is produced under the Salman Khan Films banner. The movie stars Salman Khan in the lead role alongside Chitrangda Singh. The production team has emphasized that the film aims to balance high-octane combat sequences with the "intimacy of love and family," presenting the human side of the armed forces.
As the industry awaits a confirmed release date, the conversation remains centred on whether ‘Maatrubhumi’ will provide the "unflinching" look at history that fans are expecting, or if the title change signals a softer approach to the 2020 conflict. For now, Salman’s message is clear: “May War Rest In Peace”.
