Did Salman Khan change Maatrubhumi's script to be anti-war? Here's the truth

Salman Khan's film Maatrumbhumi, earlier titled Battle of Galwan, shifts focus from war to a message of peace. The film, set against the 2020 Indo-China conflict, aims to celebrate India and its soldiers without glorifying war.

In Short

• Salman Khan's film was renamed from Battle of Galwan to Maatrubhumi
• The film focuses on peace rather than glorifying war
• It is set against the 2020 Indo-China conflict

Ever since Salman Khan’s next film, Battle of Galwan, was renamed to Maatrumbhumi, social media has been speculating the reason for the same. And recently, viral posts suggested that the superstar decided to rework on the script and change the narrative from a war story to a peaceful patriotic drama.

However, India Today has learnt that the Apoorva Lakhia directorial was never supposed to be a typical war film. While it is based on the backdrop of the 2020 Indo-China conflict, it rather sends out a message of peace. And that was also Salman’s condition to sign the film, as he did not want to get involved in any kind of jingoism.

A source close to the superstar shared with us, “For someone who has delivered a film like Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Salman has always believed in the power of cinema to unite rather than divide. He has consciously stayed away from narratives that glorify war for the sake of spectacle. If you look at his body of work, there’s a consistent thread of stories that champion peace, compassion, and humanity above conflict.”

The source added that given the original title of the film, people started assuming that it would be based on the battle. The teaser also gave a glimpse of the conflicted region with Salman ready to strike.

“This is when Salman decided to change the title, and also got the line ‘May war rest in peace’ as the slogan of the film. The team wanted to assure audiences that the film would in no way glorify war, as their intention has always been completely opposite,” the source added.

Maatrubhumi was initially set to release on April 10. However, owing to schedule delays and reshoots, the release was pushed. And while there is still no clarity on when it will hit cinemas, trade experts believe that given it celebrates India and its soldiers, Salman may bring the film on Independence Day.

- Ends