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Battle Of Galwan

On December 27, 2025, Salman Khan marked his 60th birthday by releasing the much-hyped teaser for Battle of Galwan, a war drama inspired by the 2020 India-China clash in Ladakh’s Galwan Valley.

While the teaser has ignited patriotic fervor among many fans, early reactions are sharply divided, with some praising its intensity and others predicting it could follow the path of Khan’s recent underperformer, Sikandar.

Directed by Apoorva Lakhia and produced under Salman Khan Films, the film stars Khan as an Indian Army officer (reportedly modeled after Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu) and co-stars Chitrangada Singh.

It is set for release on April 17, 2026.

Teaser Breakdown: Raw Patriotism Meets Mixed Reviews

The over-one-minute teaser showcases harsh Ladakh landscapes, hand-to-hand combat, and Khan in a gritty, bloodied avatar delivering lines like “Maut se kya darna, usey to ana hai” (Why fear death? It is bound to come) and rallying troops with “Bharat Mata Ki Jai.”

Trade analyst Taran Adarsh called it “DAMN GOOD,” highlighting its fearless tone and emotional depth (X post).

Film critic Sumit Kadel described it as “explosive” with “raw intensity, unfiltered rage, and fierce patriotism” (X post).

Fans echoed this, with posts praising the “goosebumps” and calling it a “powerful tribute” to soldiers.

However, criticism is mounting:

Some viewers slammed the lack of realism, noting Khan’s “perfectly gelled hair” amid battle chaos.
Others argued the casting does not fit, Khan’s Mumbai-style delivery clashes with the real Colonel Babu’s Southern accent and appearance (X posts from critics like @theskindoctor13).
Skeptics labeled it “another flop loading,” citing over-the-top elements reminiscent of Khan’s massy style rather than grounded war epics (Reddit discussions, X reactions).

Context: Coming Off ‘Sikandar’ Disappointment

Khan’s last release, Sikandar (2025), directed by A.R. Murugadoss, received lukewarm reviews (2-2.5/5 stars from outlets like India Today, Hindustan Times, NDTV) for a weak script despite Eid advantages.

It underperformed at the box office, raising stakes for Battle of Galwan as a potential comeback.

Patriotic themes have worked for Bollywood (e.g., Uri, Shershaah), but recent war films face scrutiny for authenticity.

Earlier reports suggested diplomatic sensitivities around depicting China, with assurances that the film is not “anti-China” but celebrates Indian bravery.

Box Office Outlook: Potential vs. Risks

Factor	Positive	Negative
Star Power	Salman’s mass appeal + patriotic hook could drive a huge opening	Recent flops erode an invincible image
Timing/Competition	Solo April 2026 slot	Oversaturated war genre
Teaser Buzz	Strong likes/views from fans	Divided reactions, realism concerns
Theme	Tribute to 2020 martyrs resonates	Casting/authenticity backlash

Trade experts see potential for a strong recovery if the trailer builds hype, but poor word-of-mouth could limit longevity. As one X user put it: “This time the fight is personal”, for both the soldiers and Khan’s career.

The full impact will unfold closer to release, but the teaser has certainly sparked conversation.