Salman Khan says no government pressure to change Maatrubhumi script

Salman Khan denied censor board delays or government pressure over Maatrubhumi at its Mumbai trailer launch. He said the makers independently developed a version centred on soldiers and their families on both sides.

In Short

• Film was originally titled Battle of Galwan and inspired by 2020 clash
• Current version explores soldiers' experiences and hardships faced by their families
• Khan said national duty takes precedence whenever confrontation arises for soldiers

Actor Salman Khan on Friday dismissed rumours that his film, Maatrubhumi: May War Rest in Peace, was stuck with the censor board because the government had concerns about its portrayal of India-China relations. Speaking at the film's trailer launch in Mumbai, the superstar clarified that the makers had simply decided to develop a new version of the film. He also refuted reports suggesting that the script had been rewritten under government pressure, calling them baseless.

"Rewrite karo, ye sab bakwaas hai. It's not true at all. Humne picture banayi hai in soldiers ke upar - what they go through and what their families go through - vo side or ye side - dono sides. Toh isme koi negativity nahi hai. Bas halaat hain negative hain [Rewrite it? All this is nonsense. It's not true at all. We have made a film about these soldiers, what they go through and what their families go through, on both sides. So, there is no negativity in it. It is just that the circumstances are negative]," he said.

Khan then referred to the film's director, Apoorva Lakhia, and explained that the initial version of the story was conceptualised by him. Maatrubhumi, originally titled Battle of Galwan, was initially inspired by the June 2020 clash between Indian and Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh. However, Khan explained that the current version focusses on the soldiers and their experiences during such confrontations.

"How for these soldiers... nation comes first. They like each other but when vo jab bhi situation ata hai, then the nation comes first. Both the sides are trying to solve this. Humare director sahab ka ek pehle ka version tha (took a long pause and smiled)... [For these soldiers, the nation comes first. They may like each other, but whenever such a situation arises, the nation comes first. Both sides are trying to resolve this. Our director had an earlier version...]," he said, before concluding his answer.

The violent confrontation, which took place along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), claimed the lives of 20 Indian soldiers and remains one of the most significant military flashpoints between the two countries in recent years.

Initially scheduled for release in April this year, Maatrubhumi will now arrive in theatres on December 4. Khan announced the revised release date at the same event.

Produced by Khan himself, the film also stars Chitrangda Singh, Mukesh Rishi, Ankur Bhatia, Zeyn Shaw and Abhilash Chaudhary, among others.

- Ends