Salman Khan starrer Battle of Galwan sparks controversy among Chinese viewers over Indo-China War portrayal

Chinese netizens, meanwhile, have strongly pushed back against the narrative presented in the film.

Salman Khan-starrer Battle of Galwan is set to release soon, but the film has come under intense scrutiny, particularly from Chinese audiences, even before its theatrical debut.

In the film, Salman Khan portrays Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu, a character described by Indian media as a central figure in the depiction of the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, a portrayal that has drawn widespread attention in Bollywood circles.

According to Global Times, a Chinese expert stated on Monday that Bollywood films largely offer entertainment-oriented and emotionally charged narratives.

The expert further noted that no level of cinematic exaggeration can alter historical facts or weaken the People’s Liberation Army’s resolve to safeguard China’s sovereign territory.

As per a report by the Hindustan Times on Sunday, the teaser opens with Salman Khan’s voice delivering a speech as he addresses his soldiers and prepares them to confront the “enemy.” The visuals then show his character walking forward toward the opposing side, flanked by his troops. In subsequent shots, he is seen gripping a stick as the “enemy” charges at them. The teaser concludes with Salman’s character striking a person with the stick.

Soon after its release, the teaser sparked comparisons online, with several netizens pointing out similarities between one of the scenes and a moment from Game of Thrones, questioning whether the film had borrowed or copied the sequence.

Beyond this, the film has faced multiple other controversies on social media. Users have raised concerns over the physical appearance and costumes of background extras, the hairstyles of actors that allegedly do not align with military standards, and the inconsistency between the characters’ looks and the extreme cold conditions suggested by the storyline. More significantly, critics have argued that the film’s portrayal of events does not correspond with facts.

Chinese netizens, meanwhile, have strongly pushed back against the narrative presented in the film. A Weibo user with the handle “Qingning Riyue v” commented that the Indian ‘over-the-top’ film seriously contradict the facts. Another user, “Situka 98,” mocked both the movie and the surrounding media hype, stating, “When history falls short, Bollywood steps in.”

Also read: Fans spot Game of Thrones vibes in Salman Khan’s Battle of Galwan teaser

Several Indian media outlets, including India Today, have promoted the film as being based on the events that unfolded between Indian and Chinese troops in the Galwan region on June 15, 2020. These reports claimed that around 200 Indian soldiers courageously defended their territory against a force of nearly 1,200 Chinese soldiers.

Commenting on the situation, Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert, told the Global Times on Monday that India’s use of cinema—particularly Bollywood films—to ignite nationalistic sentiment is not unexpected, describing it as a reflection of a deeply ingrained cultural and political tradition.