Salman Khan’s much-awaited film Maatrubhumi is reportedly undergoing major changes, with fresh developments suggesting that key elements of the story have been altered following concerns raised by the Ministry of Defence.
Originally titled Battle of Galwan, the film is inspired by the 2020 India-China clash in Ladakh. However, recent reports indicate that the makers have been asked to avoid directly referencing China in the narrative, given the sensitive geopolitical context and improving diplomatic relations between the two nations.
China mention removed from the film
According to reports, the Ministry of Defence expressed reservations about how the subject was being portrayed. As a result, the filmmakers, including director Apoorva Lakhia, reportedly undertook extensive reshoots to align the project with the suggested changes. Nearly 40 percent of the film has been reworked, with new scenes, including additional backstory and emotional elements, introduced to reshape the narrative.
A source revealed that the film, which was initially closely tied to real events, has now been given a more fictionalised treatment. “Earlier, the film was inspired by a real event. But as per the request… [they] added a fictional spin to the story,” the source stated, highlighting the scale of the badlav.
One of the key directives reportedly issued was that “China shouldn’t be mentioned in the film,” a request that had been communicated to the makers in advance. The revised cut submitted to authorities is said to have complied with this instruction, removing any direct references to the neighbouring country.
Despite these significant modifications, the film’s clearance is still uncertain. Reports suggest that the Ministry continues to have some apprehensions, leaving the project’s release timeline unclear.
All about Maatrubhumi
The film, which also stars Chitrangda Singh, was initially scheduled for an April 2026 release but has since been postponed. While there were earlier expectations of a May release, the ongoing revisions and approval process may push it further.
Maatrubhumi has been one of the most anticipated projects in Salman Khan’s lineup, especially given its patriotic theme and real-life inspiration. However, the evolving situation underscores the challenges of portraying sensitive historical events on screen, particularly when they intersect with current diplomatic realities.
As the makers continue to navigate these changes, fans await clarity on when the film will finally hit theatres and what its final version will look like.
