Battle of Galwan: Salman Khan Begins Shooting for His Next Patriotic War Drama

Salman Khan starts shooting for Battle of Galwan, a Bollywood war drama inspired by the 2020 Galwan Valley clash. Directed by Apoorva Lakhia, the film releases in 2026 with Salman playing Colonel Santosh Babu.

8/21/20253 min read

Battle of Galwan
Battle of Galwan

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has officially begun shooting for his highly anticipated patriotic war drama, Battle of Galwan. The filming started on August 20, 2025, ending all speculation about delays. Director Apoorva Lakhia confirmed the news via Instagram, and ever since, social media has been buzzing with excitement.

Fans and industry insiders alike are calling this project one of the biggest Bollywood releases of 2026.

Plot : Inspired by True Events

Salman khan as Colonel santosh babuSalman khan as Colonel santosh babu

Battle of Galwan is based on the Galwan Valley clash of June 15, 2020, when 200 Indian soldiers led by Colonel Santosh Babu stood bravely against 1200 Chinese PLA troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh.

Salman Khan plays Colonel Santosh Babu, leading the 16 Bihar Regiment in extreme Himalayan conditions. What begins as a routine patrol turns into one of the most historic and emotional standoffs in Indian military history.

Expect high-octane action sequences, raw emotions, and a deeply patriotic narrative that honors India’s unsung heroes.

Cast and Crew

Salman Khan
Salman Khan
  • Director: Apoorva Lakhia (Shootout at Lokhandwala, Haseena Parker)

  • Producers: (Expected – Salman Khan Films & Apoorva Lakhia Productions, official confirmation awaited)

  • Writers: Chintan Gandhi, Suresh Nair, Chintan Shah

  • Lead Actor: Salman Khan as Colonel Santosh Babu

  • Supporting Cast: Chitrangda Singh, Abhilash Chaudhary

  • Production House: To be officially announced

Why Battle of Galwan is Creating Massive Buzz

First look of Battle of Galwan
First look of Battle of Galwan
  1. Salman Khan in a real-life role – A refreshing change from his commercial blockbusters.

  2. Patriotic wave – Films like Uri and Border have proven audience love for military dramas.

  3. Grand action spectacle – With Apoorva Lakhia’s direction, expectations are high for scale and realism.

  4. Emotional connect – Based on true events, the film will resonate strongly with audiences.

The film is expected to hit theatres in the first half of 2026.

Box Office Prediction & Hype

Trade analysts are already calling Battle of Galwan a potential game-changer for Salman Khan.

  • Given Salman’s massive fan following, the patriotic theme, and high emotional quotient, industry insiders believe the film could cross ₹1000 crore worldwide if received well.

  • Advance booking numbers are expected to shatter records similar to Pathaan and Jawan.

  • If the film manages to blend realism with Salman’s stardom, it may become one of the highest-grossing Bollywood films of all time.

This positions Battle of Galwan not just as a blockbuster but as a cinematic tribute to the Indian Army.

Final Thoughts
Salman khan  as a real life hero
Salman khan  as a real life hero

With Salman Khan stepping into the role of a real-life hero, Battle of Galwan is shaping up to be one of the most emotional and powerful war dramas Bollywood has ever seen.

Packed with patriotism, gripping storytelling, and mega-scale action, the film is expected to set new benchmarks in Indian cinema.

If all goes well, Battle of Galwan could join the league of classics like Border and Uri: The Surgical Strike, becoming both a box office juggernaut and a tribute to India’s brave soldiers.

Also Read : Thama Movie Review

FAQs

Q1. What is Salman Khan’s Battle of Galwan about?
Ans : The movie is based on the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, where Colonel Santosh Babu led 200 Indian soldiers against the Chinese PLA.

Q2. Who is directing the film?
Ans : The movie is directed by Apoorva Lakhia, known for his action-packed films.

Q3. When is Battle of Galwan releasing?
Ans : It is scheduled for release in the first half of 2026.

Q4. Who are the producers?
Ans : The official production house is yet to be announced, but it is expected to involve Salman Khan Films.

Q5. Who else stars in the film?
Ans : The cast includes Salman Khan, Chitrangda Singh, and Abhilash Chaudhary.