Bollywood’s latest flirtation with events is distracting

Bollywood’s latest attempt to dramatize history has sparked controversy with the release of the trailer for ‘Battle of Galwan’, a film that claims to depict the 2020 clashes between Indian and Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley.

The teaser, unveiled by starrer Salman Khan on December 27, has sparked heated debate online, with critics questioning both its historical accuracy and its cinematic approach.

Salman Khan, known to Chinese audiences from films like ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’, is often teased for playing roles that seem invincible, with plots that critics describe as overly simplistic and visual effects so over-the-top as to border on the surreal.

The trailer comes after the release of Akshay Khanna starrer ‘Dhurandar’ with a caricatured depiction of Karachi, bomb blasts, unrelenting violence and a Lyari that looks more like an action film set than a real neighbourhood.

In ‘Battle of Galwan’, Salman Khan plays Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu, a role that the Indian media has highlighted for its alleged importance in the 2020 Galwan Valley conflict.

The teaser opens with Salman Khan giving an impassioned speech to his troops, instructing them on how to deal with the ‘enemy’. It then shows him advancing towards opposing forces with his soldiers, holding a stick as an opponent, before striking an opponent.

Some online commentators have drawn comparisons to a scene from ‘Game of Thrones’, questioning whether the film borrowed heavily from the popular fantasy series.

Critics have also pointed out inconsistencies in the production, including the appearance and costumes of the extras, hairstyles that do not reflect military rules, and depictions of extreme cold that seem unrealistic.

More importantly, observers argue that the film’s depiction of events deviates significantly from documented events.

Indian media, including India Today, tout the film as a faithful account, claiming that 200 Indian soldiers bravely defended themselves against 1,200 Chinese soldiers in the Galwan Valley clash on 15 June 2020.

However, Chinese netizens and military commentators have pushed back. One Weibo user under the handle “Qingning Riyue v” said the film “seriously contradicts the facts”, while another, “Situka 98”, mocked the media hype, writing: “When history goes down, Bollywood steps in.”

Four Chinese officers and soldiers were killed in the incident, with one seriously wounded, and all were honored by the Central Military Commission. In all, 20 Indian soldiers were killed during the clashes.

Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert, told the Global Times that the use of Indian films, particularly Bollywood productions, to incite nationalist sentiment is not surprising as it reflects a deep-rooted cultural and political tradition.

“Movies may dramatize or embellish events, but they cannot change the basic facts of the Galwan Valley incident,” Song said. “India crossed the border first and the PLA defended China’s territory according to law.

The bravery shown by officers like Qi Fabao and fallen soldier Chen Hongjun has symbolic and practical significance, proving that the new generation of Chinese troops will never back down when faced with threats to national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Song added that Chinese soldiers consistently perform their duties even in extreme mountainous conditions, facing challenges and giving the public confidence in the nation’s military preparedness.

“The incident has a strong resonance in Chinese society, highlighting the practical recognition of national will and military spirit,” he said, stressing that cinematic exaggeration cannot undermine this reality.

Lan Jianxue, director of the Department of Asia-Pacific Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, also criticized the film’s timing and narrative, telling the Global Times: “The subject matter and release of the film are inappropriate.”

Lan said: “It presents a one-sided Indian narrative that stokes competitive sentiments at a time when Sino-Indian relations have only recently begun to show signs of a hard-earned thaw.”

While the teaser has generated considerable attention in India, analysts warn that such depictions risk stoking nationalist fervor without reflecting the complexity of the historical event.

Despite the cinematic dramatization, experts stress that films like “Battle of Galwan” cannot change the facts of the border conflict or the sacrifices made by soldiers on both sides.

As the film prepares for its April 2026 release, the debate surrounding its historical accuracy and the ethics of dramatizing actual military conflicts continues, highlighting the ongoing tension between entertainment, national narratives and filmmakers’ responsibilities when dealing with sensitive historical events.