Showing posts with label Maatrubhumi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Maatrubhumi. Show all posts
Salman Khan's Maatrubhumi to arrive before Shah Rukh Khan's King?
10:32 AM
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; November 6, 2026)
Finally, Salman Khan can breathe a sigh of relief. Maatrubhumi: May War Rest In Peace is on its way to reach the audience at last. The trailer of Apoorva Lakhia’s directorial feature will be unveiled today, where the superstar will announce its release date. From what mid-day has heard, the war drama will most likely be a December 11 outing, arriving about a fortnight before Shah Rukh Khan’s much-anticipated King.
A trade source revealed that Maatrubhumi — which has had a tough road to release — has got the greenlight from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
“Recently, the film not only got the No Objection Certificate from the Ministry of Defence, but also secured the CBFC certificate. While Shraddha Kapoor’s Eetha will hit the screens on December 4 and Shah Rukh Khan’s King on December 24, there is a string of Hollywood releases that month. Avengers: Doomsday and Dune: Part Three have booked December 17 and 18 slots respectively, while Jumanji: Open World will arrive on December 25. So, Salman Khan Films is aiming for the December 11 window.”
That’s almost eight months later than the intended release. Originally titled Battle Of Galwan, the Eid 2026 release was to chronicle the 2020 India-China clash in the Galwan valley. However, in March, it was rechristened Maatrubhumi, with reports indicating that the makers had to reshoot portions and soften its stance amid the easing of hostilities between India and China.
The source added, “The film was also taking time as the VFX work went on till this month. While Salman and his team had to creatively sacrifice certain elements in the narrative, he was clear from day one that it would be an anti-war movie and show China in a good light. Salman was also certain that he didn’t want to depict too much violence.”
A week ago, Salman bhai called me saying, ‘Let’s record Teri Sexy Beauty’-Sajid Ali Khan
10:08 AM
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; November 5, 2026)
A surprise was in store for Salman Khan’s fans when they woke up on Wednesday morning. On November 4, the superstar unveiled Teri Sexy Beauty, a new song from Maatrubhumi: May War Rest In Peace. Composed and written by Sajid Ali Khan, the track saw the actor go behind the mic again.
As it turns out, Sajid had created the number a year ago. Speaking to mid-day over a call from Dubai, the composer revealed, “After I composed Teri Sexy Beauty, I sang it to Salman bhai. But he said that it could not go in Maatrubhumi as the film had a patriotic theme. So, he told me to change the lyrics. I requested him not to do that as the song’s charm lies in them.”
Such was Salman’s love for Teri Sexy Beauty that he decided to include it in director Apoorva Lakhia’s war drama nonetheless. While the track was shot last year and included Sajid’s vocals, it underwent a last-minute change last week when the superstar decided to lend his voice.
Sajid shared, “A week ago, Salman bhai called me saying, ‘Let’s record it.’ I had one condition. I told him, ‘When you wake up, don’t eat or drink anything. Call me, I will come to the studio quickly, and we will record it then and there.’ I needed that gravelly, husky voice that jazz singers have. [At the studio], we listened to some jazz songs, and then he got into the mood. It didn’t take him long to record it as he knew it by heart.”
Sajid added that the track was his way of polishing his art again. “I wanted to write something that matches up to Salman Khan’s personality. We wanted that rockstar feel.”
Salman Khan's Maatrubhumi awaits NOC from Defence Ministry
10:20 AM
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; October 24, 2026)
In early October, rumours surfaced that the makers of Salman Khan’s Maatrubhumi: May War Rest in Peace were lining up its screening for the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Since then, mid-day did some digging around and found out that the movie — which was originally titled Battle Of Galwan and was to chronicle the 2020 India-China clash in the Galwan valley — has yet to receive a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Defence (MoD). Until the war drama gets a greenlight from the MoD, it cannot approach the CBFC for a certificate.
According to sources, director Apoorva Lakhia’s war drama was screened for the MoD mid-2026. The step applies to movies, documentaries, and web series stories based on the Indian Armed Forces.
A source revealed, “At the first screening, they had a few suggestions for the film that sees Salman as an army officer. The makers reshot parts of the movie as per their recommendations.” Maatrubhumi has reportedly undergone several modifications over the months — from its title to the depiction of the neighbouring country and a tonal shift in the narrative.
The source further added that earlier this month, Khan, Lakhia, and the team sent the movie’s revised cut to the ministry.
The source revealed, “Since then, there has been complete silence from the MoD. As Salman plays a soldier in the Indian Army in the movie, the makers have to follow strict regulations and approval processes before its release. The actor has been following the necessary protocols. The makers were hoping that the matter would be resolved soon, so that they could then apply for the CBFC certificate. They cannot secure a release date even for next year, unless they get the NOC from the MoD.”
Maatrubhumi's climax and Salman Khan's character arc undergo changes
10:45 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 6, 2026)
The industry is abuzz with chatter that Salman Khan’s ‘Maatrubhumi: May War Rest In Peace’ will be viewed by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) this week. Amid this development, mid-day has learnt that director Apoorva Lakhia and the writers have made significant changes to the war drama’s climax.
Changes have been a constant feature in the Khan-starrer, which was originally titled ‘Battle Of Galwan’ and was to chronicle the 2020 India-China clash in the Galwan valley, with the superstar playing Colonel Bikumalla Santosh Babu. However, as India-China relations improved in the past few years, concerns emerged over the film’s depiction of the neighbouring country, leading to the project being reworked and reshot. With the movie being rechristened ‘Maatrubhumi: May War Rest In Peace’, the change in the film’s tonality is evident.
Naturally, modifications have extended to the film’s ending. A source revealed, “The climax and Salman’s character arc have been reworked. The makers have been careful about how the India-China conflict is positioned, and now, the end message is in keeping with the movie’s call for peace.”
Last week, the film’s revised version reportedly received a No Objection Certificate from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The source added, “It has been submitted to the CBFC and a screening date will be obtained.”
mid-day reached out to the film’s production team, which didn’t respond till press time.
Maatrubhumi will be viewed by CBFC this week
9:36 AM
Natasha Coutinho (HINDUSTAN TIMES; October 5, 2026)
Salman Khan’s next, the war drama Maatrubhumi, which has been in the news over its title change and delayed release, may finally have a release date soon. Sources close to the film say the Apoorva Lakhia directorial, also starring Chitrangda Singh, is expected to hit screens this year, with Diwali or Christmas being considered as possible options.
“The film is in the process of being viewed by the CBFC this week. There have been no other changes. Salman Khan’s films have traditionally been family entertainers, so there is little reason to anticipate major objections from the censor board. Once passed, the team is looking at a Diwali or Christmas release,” the source shares.
Maatrubhumi, earlier titled Battle Of Galwan, reportedly underwent reshoots following objections to its initial anti-China stance. While recent reports claimed the I&B Ministry had cleared the revised version, the source says the government never halted the film: “Maatrubhumi has never been halted by the government, and reports suggesting otherwise are mere speculation."
Himalay Dassani puts Abhimanyu's The Lion Of Galwan on hold: "Got directive that there cannot be China-bashing"
9:45 AM
Producer Himalay Dassani reveals he put Abhimanyu Dassani-led ‘The Lion Of Galwan’ on the backburner after Ministry of Defence’s instruction about China’s depiction in the 2020 military clash’s retelling
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; May 23, 2026)
Last July, producer Himalay Dassani had shared his plan of making The Lion Of Galwan, a movie on Vir Chakra awardee Sepoy Gurtej Singh who lost his life in the 2020 India-China military clash in Galwan Valley (Gung-ho about Galwan, July 22). But almost a year on, things have taken a turn. As India and China witness a tactical thaw in their relations, the producer told mid-day that the film — which was to be led by actor and his son Abhimanyu Dassani — has been indefinitely postponed.
This isn’t the first on-screen offering to be impacted by the easing of the two countries’ hostilities. Salman Khan’s Maatrubhumi: May War Rest In Peace, originally titled Battle Of Galwan, has reportedly been reshot.
Speaking to mid-day from Tashkent, Himalay said that if he chooses to go ahead with The Lion of Galwan, he will have to follow a certain process. “The India-China relationship is much better today. So, we’ll have to revisit the story idea. After we complete the script, we will have to submit it to the Ministry of Defence of India, before we begin shooting. Also, we have received a directive from them that there cannot be China-bashing. So, we need to revisit that angle.”
Is he open to reworking the narrative? To the producer, it’s a futile exercise. “If we are not going to get a clearance from the Defence Ministry, there will be no point in telling the story of the Galwan battle as we can’t show the correct angle. If the fight and the reasons behind [the clash] are non-existent, what is the use of making a movie on it? So, we have kept it on the backburner.”
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Abhimanyu Dassani, who was to portray Sepoy Gurtej Singh in ‘The Lion Of Galwan’, has instead turned his attention to a film that will roll later this year. Himalay Dassani further revealed, “We are also looking at an intense love story for him.”
Salman Khan’s Maatrubhumi undergoes reshoots and Army consultations?
4:15 PM
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; April 13, 2026)
The title of Salman Khan’s forthcoming war drama Battle Of Galwan was changed to Maatrubhumi last month. Salman had shared a new poster of the film with the revised title, writing, “May War Rest In Peace #Maatrubhumi.”
While there has been no official statement from the makers regarding the reason for the title change, industry speculation suggests that the decision may have followed discussions with authorities. Chinese state media outlet Global Times had previously accused the film of distorting facts following the release of its teaser.
Between the two titles, the film’s plot has reportedly been modified. “There have been industry discussions for months, but we are not aware of anything official. The release date has been announced, but there is still speculation about when the film will be in theatres,” says exhibitor and veteran business analyst Raj Bansal.
‘For a movie that has not had its script approved, if the ADGPI becomes aware of it, they get in touch with the producer’
There are also industry talks about the film facing several hurdles with the CBFC. Major (Retd) Sandeep Sangwan, who is also a defence consultant on films like Pippa, explains what could have happened.
“When there is a movie based on a battle or war, the script is submitted to the Additional Directorate General of Public Information, IHQ of MoD (Army) (ADGPI). Most major changes, if any, are suggested by the ADGPI, and producers incorporate them. The changes are suggested at the script stage, and then the movie moves into the production phase. In the post-production phase, when the movie is ready, a special screening is conducted for the ADGPI. If they find that further changes are required, they suggest them. For instance, with Sam Bahadur and Pippa, I am aware that a couple of changes were suggested by the ADGPI after screening, and the films were released after those changes were made.”
He further adds, “First, the title itself could have been an issue because even China does not officially name Galwan. Accurate locations or references are often avoided. In general, when a film deals with the Army, the CBFC asks producers to first get a go-ahead from the ADGPI. The CBFC only clears the film once ADGPI approval is in place. Now, for a movie that has not had its script approved, if the ADGPI becomes aware of it, they get in touch with the producer and ask for submission and changes.”
The makers and the ADGPI are yet to comment on the issue.
‘Any kind of wrong optics, involving a popular star like Salman, can have an impact’
Since the new title of Battle Of Galwan was announced, industry chatter suggests nearly 40% of the film is being reshot, with references to China removed and a fictional twist added.
Exhibitor and industry expert Akshaye Rathi says, “No statement has been issued by the makers of the film yet and we are only hearing from industry sources. Obviously, national interest is paramount. Any kind of wrong optics, especially involving a popular star like Salman Khan, can have an impact on how things are perceived by citizens of other countries or by the Chinese Embassy in India.”
Salman Khan deserves better than baseless trolling-Chitrangda Singh
4:11 PM
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; April 12, 2026)
Salman Khan and Chitrangda Singh’s upcoming war drama MaatruBhumi: May War Rest in Peace , earlier titled Battle Of Galwan, has been in the news for multiple reasons. From its title change and delayed release — pushed from April to August — to the social media trolling faced by Salman following the teaser release, the film has sparked widespread discussion. Many users criticized his “intense glance” in a war scene, which quickly went viral.
Directed by Apoorva Lakhia, the film draws inspiration from the real-life confrontation on June 15, 2020, when Indian soldiers clashed with Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Speculation is rife that the title change was made to shift the film’s tone from a purely military lens to a broader emotional narrative, possibly keeping diplomatic sensitivities in mind. Reports suggest that the revised title and related reshoots aim to focus more on the human cost of war, peace and patriotism. The director also said that the film goes beyond just a battle, which prompted the change.
When we met Chitrangda Singh at the Bombay Times Fashion Week, she said, “There are certain things where you must be cognizant of other situations and opinions. The makers thought it through and decided to go with the new title, which I am sure is in the film’s best interest.”
She added, “MaatruBhumi resonates with the times we live in. People are connecting deeply with ideas of life, death and nationalism. Across the world, there is a growing awareness of how important it is to fight for what belongs to you. We often take freedom for granted, but these testing times have made us realize its true value.”
The actress didn’t mince her words while defending her co-star. She said, “Salman has his own way of focusing on his work. He puts in a lot of effort, not just into his own performance, but into every character and the film as a whole. It’s sad that he gets trolled based on people’s perceptions of him. I went into the film with a certain perception too, but that changed.”
She continued, “He is someone people constantly talk about — good, bad or ugly. He gets written about no matter what he does. In many ways, he becomes the clickbait, and he deserves better than that.”
No filmmaker has been given the Operation Sindoor film title yet-IMPPA
4:23 PM
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; April 22, 2026)
Last year, after the Army’s press conference on Operation Sindoor, producers rushed to register film titles on the operation, prompting industry bodies to urge applicants to stop registering variations. The producers, however, did not stop.
Almost a year on, more than 150 titles related to Operation Sindoor are still pending.
Abhay Sinha, president of the Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA), shares that no producer has yet been allotted the title. He explains, “We have over 150 applications for ‘Operation Sindoor’ and its variations, but none has been approved. As the volume of applications for a single title was so high, we decided to defer a decision. There are also five to seven film title applications for the Pahalgam attack.”
Studios that have announced projects on the operation have continued to follow up with the body, he said.
A decision is expected at a meeting next week, where titles will be allotted, which is on a first-come, first-served basis. Trade analysts and industry insiders say they are not aware of many films actually going into production.
Industry insiders say titles are snapped up after major incidents, but few projects move beyond the announcement stage. Despite the rush for registration of film titles, only two films on Operation Sindoor have been formally announced.
‘Producers sometimes want to register titles only for publicity’
Industry insiders say that registering titles is like a gold rush after an important incident, but what actually gets made is only a small fraction of what is registered.
T P Aggarwal, former IMPPA president, explains, “Our producers sometimes want to take advantage of publicity. They register titles only for publicity. If a big producer registers a title, it usually means they will make a film, but most of the time, after an incident, small producers from regional industries rush to register titles without intending to make a film. Sometimes they sell these to bigger banners for credit.”
Veteran trade analyst Raj Bansal adds, “Most producers just take advantage of a situation and, in a rush, register titles, but a film never actually gets made. They announce the film, and once the discussion dies down, it goes into cold storage. What gets made is a fraction of the titles registered.”
‘WE WERE DISCUSSING WHETHER ‘GALWAN’ SHOULD HAVE BEEN REGISTERED AS A FILM TITLE IN THE FIRST PLACE’
Recently, Salman Khan’s film Battle Of Galwan underwent a title change. After the Galwan attack, producers had rushed to register that title as well.
T P Aggarwal shares, “Of course, if the Army says you have to change the title, then you have to. We should not have registered a title like ‘Galwan’ in the first place. Some time back, we were also discussing that for films based on operations or sensitive geopolitical issues, such titles should not be registered. I don’t know why it was registered.”
Abhay Sinha adds, “Yes, ‘Battle Of Galwan’ was given another title, Maatrubhumi: May War Rest In Peace. But as we do not have any orders not to give titles on operations, we will proceed with our system and allot titles accordingly.”
Projects which are announced
A year later, as per official announcements, only two films are being made. Last month, filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri announced that he would be making a film on Operation Sindoor with T-Series, based on Lt Gen KJS ‘Tiny’ Dhillon’s (retd.) book Operation Sindoor: The Untold Story of India’s Deep Strikes Inside Pakistan.
He wrote on X, “Rooted in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack and backed by extensive, ground-level research in collaboration with multiple wings of the Indian Armed Forces, this is a story drawn from reality – not to create noise, but to confront it: with facts, with clarity, and the magic of cinema.”
A source shares, “There are rumours that Varun Dhawan has been contacted to play a role in this film.”
A source associated with The Terror Report shares, “The Terror Report , which was announced as a film on major terror attacks in India spanning from 1998 to 2025, was originally only on the Pahalgam attack. However, to avoid a clash with the film based on Lt. Gen. ‘Tiny’ Dhillon’s book the script is being modified. At present, the film is at the scripting stage.”
Trade analyst Girish Johar says, "From industry buzz, I am not aware of any films being released in next couple of months. We have only heard about a couple of films which are at script stage."
Salman Khan’s Maatrubhumi stuck in release limbo amid regulatory hurdles
8:49 AM
Neither April nor June, sources say Salman Khan’s ‘Maatrubhumi’ release in limbo despite the makers removing China references and shifting tonality to a human drama
Upala KBR, Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; April 15, 2026)
What was once positioned as one of the year’s biggest releases has now become a project shrouded in uncertainty. Salman Khan’s Maatrubhumi: May War Rest In Peace was said to release in April and then apparently pushed to June. Now, the latest buzz is that the war drama — originally envisioned as a retelling of the 2020 Indo-China Galwan Valley clash — is stuck in limbo amid mounting regulatory complications.
Sources have told mid-day that the film, despite being rechristened and its tone reworked, is no closer to reaching viewers. Apparently, the makers have not submitted it to the Central Board of Film Certification yet.
“At this stage, after making the necessary changes, the team is trying to understand what would be the next steps to ensure its smooth release. No department, whether the Ministry of Defence, the Army, or the CBFC, has seen the film yet,” revealed a source.
Trouble began right after the first teaser was launched in December 2025, which elicited sharp reactions from Chinese state-affiliated media, including Global Times that accused the film of “distorting facts”. Sources said that in February, the Indian government authorities informally advised the makers to remove explicit references to China and the Galwan conflict, citing India’s improving relations with its neighbouring country.
A few weeks later, Khan unveiled the new title — Maatrubhumi. This was followed by rumours that director Apoorva Lakhia is reshooting parts of the war drama.
The source clarified, “Maatrubhumi has not been rewritten from scratch or reshot. In the Mumbai leg, the team shot additional parts depicting family sequences and love stories of a few supporting characters. Now, the makers have shifted the film’s focus on family and relationships, making it a human drama. That said, a bit of the war portions have been retained. But if you remove references to China and Galwan, what is the conflict about? That’s the central question they’re grappling with.”
Salman Khan to kick off his next actioner with Dil Raju in April while Maatrubhumi struggles to find a release date
10:08 AM
Even as Maatrubhumi's release window is yet to be finalized, sources say Salman Khan will kick off his next actioner with Dil Raju on April 14
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; March 26, 2026)
Salman Khan’s ‘Maatrubhumi’ may be going through changes, making it difficult to lock its release date (Hindi-Chini bhai bhai, Bhaijaan giving that a try? March 17). But things appear to be moving fast on the superstar’s next with producer Dil Raju and director Vamshi Paidipally. Industry insiders have told mid-day that the actor is expected to kick off the actioner around April 14.
Naturally, preparations are underway in full swing in Mumbai. We’ve heard that a massive set is being constructed at the SRPF Ground in Goregaon.
A source close to the production shared, “This isn’t a regular set, it’s practically a mini-city. The set has been designed to resemble a dense urban area, which will be shown as a high-conflict zone where a large-scale action sequence plays out. Think of it almost like an industrial township.” The decision to build such an elaborate set-up stems from the film’s action-heavy narrative.
While casting for the yet-untitled movie is being finalized, the production team is racing against time to have everything ready by mid-April.
The source added, “Many elements are being pieced together simultaneously — set design, action choreography, and final casting. The goal is to hit the ground running.”
Is Salman Khan’s Maatrubhumi delayed after Prashant Tamang’s death?
8:46 AM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 22, 2026)
Salman Khan and Chitrangda Singh’s upcoming film Maatrubhumi, previously titled Battle Of Galwan, is back in the news, just days after making headlines for its title change. This time, the speculation is over a possible delay following the passing of actor-singer Prashant Tamang, who played a significant role in the project.
According to an India Today report, the film was initially expected to hit theatres in early April. However, plans were reportedly disrupted after Prashant’s death in January this year. A source told them, “The team had a couple of planned schedules where Prashant had to shoot some really key scenes. With him gone, the team is absolutely in crisis.”
Director Apoorva Lakhia was unavailable for comment when we reached out. However, a member of the team dismissed the rumours, saying, “Please don’t believe the chatter doing the rounds. This is not true.”
We also learn that the film’s team has been instructed to remain tight-lipped about further developments. The story will revolve around the 2020 clashes between India and China.
Salman Khan's Maatrubhumi to add a Chinese song amid India-China's thawing ties
4:19 PM
After Salman Khan’s ‘Battle Of Galwan’ is rechristened ‘Maatrubhumi’, sources say 40-day reshoot underway and a Chinese song to be added amid India-China’s thawing ties
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; March 17, 2026)
On March 16, fans were surprised when Salman Khan announced the new title, Maatrubhumi: May War Rest in Peace, for his upcoming war drama that was previously christened Battle Of Galwan. The tonal shift in the name was hard to miss. Well, a bit of digging revealed that the title isn’t the only change in Apoorva Lakhia’s directorial venture that chronicles the 2020 India-China military clash in the Galwan Valley. mid-day has learnt that about 40 days of reshoot is underway, and the makers will include a Chinese song.
Khan’s movie, which has the superstar step into the shoes of late Colonel Bikumalla Santosh Babu, had rolled in September 2025 in Ladakh and was nearing completion by mid-December.
A source, however, told us, “Since February 2026, Apoorva and Salman have been reshooting chunks of the film in Mumbai. They are adding new scenes, and are looking at almost 40 days of work. They are also planning to film a Chinese song that will be composed by Himesh Reshammiya. Salman will shoot the number as soon as it has been finalized and recorded.”
What’s brought on these changes? Apparently, it is driven by the current Indo-China relations that are going through a cautious, tactical thaw.
The source added, “There has been an easing of the hostilities between the two countries. In the middle of this complex dynamic, a movie like Battle Of Galwan that focused on the 2020 clash could have impacted the fragile relationship. So, Salman and Apoorva brainstormed and decided to incorporate messages of peace, harmony, and the futility of war in the narrative.”
Apoorva Lakhia on Salman Khan’s Battle Of Galwan title change: "Not an overnight decision"
4:17 PM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 17, 2026)
Actor Salman Khan surprised fans on Monday with the announcement that his upcoming film Battle Of Galwan has been retitled Maatrubhumi. Speaking to us, director Apoorva Lakhia insists that the change was not sudden.
“It may feel sudden to SK sir’s fans, but it was never an overnight decision. From the start, we had registered both titles. As we went through the journey of making the film, we realised it was never just about a battle,” he says.
The film, co-starring Chitrangda Singh, is based on the 2020 conflict between India and China in the Galwan Valley. Its teaser courted controversy last month, when China’s state-backed media accused it of ‘distorting facts’.
Lakhia says that the new title reflects the emotional core of the story. “Its about humanity, empathy and the silent battles our soldiers fight. Maatrubhumi: May War Rest In Peace captures that emotion and sacrifice far more truthfully,” he says, adding, “There is a song in the film by the same name, and the love it has received from audiences made the title feel even more right.”
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