Salman Khan Battle Of Galwan: Bollywood superstar Salman Khan is gearing up for one of the most ambitious films of his career with Battle of Galwan. The patriotic war drama was earlier scheduled to release on April 17, and the makers had already started rolling out promotional material to build excitement.
However, recent reports suggest that the film may not arrive on the planned date. This quickly triggered online chatter, with many assuming that big releases like Dhurandhar 2 and Toxic forced the makers to delay the film to avoid a box-office clash. However, insiders say the real reason has nothing to do with competition.
Battle Of Galwan Release Delay: What’s Really Happening
According to a report by Bollywood Hungama, the possible delay is due to incomplete shooting and extended reshoots. The film is still in production, and post-production work has not yet begun in full swing. Quoting a source, the report stated, “Battle of Galwan is scheduled to be released on April 17. But the shoot is not yet over, and the reshoot is taking more time than expected. From Monday, February 9, a one-week schedule will commence at the Golden Tobacco Factory in Mumbai. After this schedule gets over, a few more days of shooting are left, and by February-end, it’ll be a wrap.”
Director Apoorva Lakhia is also yet to start editing the reshot portions, which has added pressure to the already tight timeline.
Apart from filming and editing, the makers must also follow official procedures. Since the story is based on a real military confrontation, the film needs to be screened for the Ministry of Defence before release. The source further added, “Due to these two reasons, the makers feel they may not be able to meet the April 17 deadline. Salman Khan is clear that such a special, patriotic film needs to be nurtured well. He has told the team not to rush the process and to take their time to ensure the final product looks appealing, compelling and cinematic.”
While Salman Khan and Apoorva Lakhia are still discussing their options, the report notes that an April 17 release is still being considered, though the chances are low. An Independence Day 2026 release is now emerging as a stronger and more suitable option.
About Salman Khan Starrer Battle Of Galwan
Directed by Apoorva Lakhia, Battle of Galwan is based on the 2020 high-altitude clash between Indian and Chinese troops in Ladakh’s Galwan Valley. The film highlights the courage of 200 Indian soldiers from the 16 Bihar Regiment who stood their ground against around 1,200 Chinese People’s Liberation Army soldiers.
The story centres on Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu, who was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra for his leadership and sacrifice during the brutal hand-to-hand combat fought without firearms.
Salman Khan plays Colonel Santosh Babu, while Chitrangda Singh features in a key role. The supporting cast includes Ankur Bhatia, Abhilash Chaudhary, and Govinda, marking an important comeback for the actor.
Although the official budget has not been announced, industry estimates suggest the film costs between Rs 150 crore and Rs 350 crore due to its scale, action sequences and visual effects. Reports also claim that Salman Khan has charged around Rs 110 crore for the project.
Even before its release, the film has drawn international attention. China’s state-run Global Times accused it of “distorting history” and pushing “nationalist propaganda”. The teaser also faced criticism on Chinese social media platforms. In response, India’s Ministry of External Affairs stated that filmmaking is an artistic exercise handled by the concerned authorities.
