According to the Chinese state affiliated newspaper Global Times, the teaser presents a distorted version of the 2020 Galwan Valley clash between Indian and Chinese troops.
The paper described the film as controversial, claiming it reshapes facts to fit a dramatic narrative rather than historical reality.
The teaser, released on December 27, shows Salman Khan portraying an Indian army officer. Indian media has promoted the character as playing a ‘key role’ in the Galwan incident. Chinese outlets, however, rejected this portrayal, arguing that the scenes shown in the teaser do not match ground realities.
Chinese analysts noted that Bollywood films often rely on emotion, spectacle, and patriotic appeal.
While such elements may entertain audiences, they argue that cinematic drama cannot rewrite history or weaken China’s military resolve. One Chinese military commentator remarked that no amount of dramatization can change facts on sovereign territory.
The Indian film Battle of Galwan, which claims to be based on the 2020 clashes between Indian and Chinese troops in the Galwan region and is scheduled for release in April 2026, had its trailer released by lead actor Salman Khan on December 27, sparking online controversy on… pic.twitter.com/aoJZfowae2
— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) December 30, 2025
The film has also faced backlash on Chinese social media. Some users accused the makers of copying scenes from foreign war dramas, while others criticized the look of the actors, military uniforms, weather conditions, and combat scenes as unrealistic and poorly researched.
Chinese media further claimed that Indian cinema has long been used as a tool to stir nationalist sentiment, calling it a familiar blend of culture and politics.
In their view, Battle of Galwan risks adding fuel to tensions between the two countries at a time when diplomatic relations show signs of gradual improvement.
Chinese authorities repeated their stance that India violated the Line of Actual Control during the 2020 incident, and that Chinese troops acted in defense of their territory. They also accused India of inflating casualty figures and misleading the international community afterward.
Directed by Apoorva Lakhia, Battle of Galwan is expected to release in April 2026. Actress Chitrangada Singh plays a significant role alongside Salman Khan. Despite the film’s scale and star power, its release or acceptance in China appears highly unlikely.
The controversy highlights how cinema, when mixed with sensitive history, can quickly move from entertainment to international debate.
