As battle of galwan – The upcoming war drama starring Salman Khan – has been making headlines, it has also created controversy abroad. Chinese state-run media outlets, including the Global Times, have criticized the film’s teaser and narrative, accusing it of distorting facts about the 2020 Galwan Valley conflict. In response, veteran filmmaker and FWICE chief advisor Ashok Pandit has strongly contested the criticism, calling it predictable and rooted in insecurity rather than artistic reality.
Ashok Pandit defends Galwan battle against Chinese media’s claims of distorted facts: “Basically a kind of insecurity”
Controversy started after this battle of galwan The teaser was released on Salman Khan’s 60th birthday, December 27, 2025. Set to depict the painful June 2020 battle between Indian and Chinese troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the film – directed by Apoorva Lakhia – aims to dramatize one of the most intense skirmishes in recent India-China relations.
The Chinese government-affiliated publication Global Times published a commentary suggesting that battle of galwan Can not “Rewrite History” and accused the film of presenting a one-sided version of events. It also highlighted alleged factual inaccuracies in the teaser and dismissed the depiction of the Indian Army’s sacrifices as exaggerated or exaggerated.
Responding to the response, Ashok Pandit told NDTV that China’s response was neither surprising nor impressive for the film’s prospects in India or internationally. “When an Indian filmmaker makes a film, he definitely looks to highlight the activities of our enemy country. We are strong as a nation, and our security forces are really brave to fight their battles for the country. So it is basically a kind of insecurity that Global Times feels.”
Producer Rahul Mitra echoed these sentiments in separate comments, emphasizing that filmmakers do due diligence with research and that established names like Lakhia and Salman would not produce a film that “distorts facts just to make a movie.”
The chief advisor of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees, in a separate conversation with Hindustan Times, said, “It must have been in the minds of the producers that because it is Galwan, China will react because it is a film that is exposing them. We have the right to make such a film on this subject and tell the world that China has done this to our country. China is a country that has supported Pakistan, and has created many issues and problems for our country. It is very good.” The thing is, it’s a movie.” If the film is good, it will do well.”
battle of galwan It is inspired by the June 2020 Galwan Valley clash, where Indian troops faced Chinese forces in a rare and brutal face-off at high altitude, resulting in casualties on both sides – including 20 Indian soldiers. In the film, Salman Khan plays the role of Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu, the commanding officer of 16 Bihar Regiment in the real battle. Chitrangada Singh, Zane Shaw, Ankur Bhatia and Vipin Bhardwaj star in supporting roles. The film is scheduled for theatrical release on April 17, 2026.
