Salman Khan’s war drama Maatrubhumi, inspired by the 2020 Galwan Valley clash between Indian and Chinese troops, has finally faced a hurdle. The movie, which was expected to be released on Independence Day, will now have to be delayed because of its certification process with the CBFC.
Directed by Apoorva Lakhia and produced under the banner of Salman Khan Films, the film has remained one of the most talked-about Bollywood projects since its announcement. Originally named Battle of Galwan, the movie was later renamed Maatrubhumi as part of the makers’ wider positioning of the project.
CBFC Clearance Still Pending
Recent reports indicate that the film is yet to receive CBFC certification. At first, some reports said the project should be put on hold, but later on, sources said the certification process is still ongoing, and no final clearance has been issued yet.
Because certification has not been completed, industry observers believe that the film will not be released in August as we originally expected. But neither the filmmakers nor CBFC has given a release date.
Inspired by the Galwan Valley Clash
Maatrubhumi is based on the June 2020 Galwan Valley confrontation, one of the most significant military clashes between Indian and Chinese forces in recent decades.
Salman Khan plays Colonel B. Santosh Babu, the commander of the 16 Bihar Regiment, who led the Indian soldiers during such a high-altitude battle. The story is to show the courage, sacrifice, and leadership that the Indian Army showed in high-altitude conflict.
Why was the title changed?
The project was initially announced as Battle of Galwan, but the makers later changed the title to Maatrubhumi.
From that perspective, the new title really does reflect the film’s larger emotional focus on patriotism and sacrifice rather than just the military conflict. The title change also had to do with the sensitive geopolitical subject matter.
Controversy Surrounding the Film
Even before it was released, the film attracted international attention. The promotional material from the original title came under criticism from some Chinese commentators who objected to the portrayal of the Galwan Valley conflict. India's Ministry of External Affairs, however, earlier explained that filmmaking-related matters are within the purview of the appropriate authorities and not the ministry.
Star Cast and Production
As far as Salman Khan is concerned, Chitrangda Singh, Ankur Bhatia, Abhilash Chaudhary, and others are in the film. The music for the film is composed by Himesh Reshammiya, and Apoorva Lakhia is responsible for the project.
Fans Await Official Update
The teaser, which was released on Salman Khan’s birthday in December 2025, generated huge interest in the movie’s release date, and its promotional teaser drew huge excitement from fans. Since then, expectations have been high for what has been described as one of the actor’s most ambitious patriotic dramas.
For now, audiences will have to wait for an official announcement of the certification and a shift in the release date of the film. There is no decision on the release date until the CBFC process is complete, and a release date for Maatrubhumi is not been announced.
