Salman Khan’s Battle of Galwan Triggers China Media Criticism, India Responds Firmly

Salman Khan has once again drawn international attention, with India issuing a firm response to criticism surrounding the upcoming film Galwan.

The Bollywood star plays the central character in Galwan (Battle of Galwan), a film inspired by the 2020 military confrontation between Indian and Chinese forces in the Galwan Valley. Khan portrays Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu, the commanding officer of the 16 Bihar Regiment, who lost his life while leading Indian troops during the clash with the Chinese army.

The film’s creators released its teaser on the 27th of this month, coinciding with Salman Khan’s birthday. Since its release, the teaser has received widespread praise from audiences across the globe. However, the project has faced criticism from sections of China’s state-linked media. According to reports, a Chinese military expert claimed that Bollywood films prioritize emotional storytelling over factual realism and stated that no movie can weaken the historical record or the resolve of the People’s Liberation Army to safeguard China’s territorial sovereignty, as quoted by the Global Times.

In response, Indian authorities firmly rejected these claims. Government sources emphasized that freedom of expression is a core value in India and that storytelling through cinema is a legitimate artistic medium. They clarified that filmmakers have the constitutional right to create content under artistic liberty. Officials further stated that there has been no involvement or interference by the Indian government in the production of the film and suggested that any concerns be addressed directly to the Ministry of Defense for clarification.