'Battle of Galwan' teaser distorts facts, claims Chinese media
What's the story
The teaser for the upcoming Bollywood war film Battle of Galwan, starring Salman Khan, has sparked controversy in China. The state-run newspaper Global Times accused the film of "distorting facts" about the 2020 Galwan Valley clash between Indian and Chinese soldiers. The article claimed that the events depicted in the movie do not align with actual historical events.
Teaser criticism
'Battle of Galwan' teaser received backlash from Chinese netizens
The Global Times article said that the teaser for Battle of Galwan has not been well-received by Chinese netizens, with some calling it an "over-the-top" film. The report also downplayed the role of Indian Army Officer Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu in the clash, referring to it as a "so-called pivotal role." The film is directed by Apoorva Lakhia and will be released in April 2026.
Blame game
China blames India for the Galwan Valley clash
The Global Times article blamed India for the 2020 clash, accusing Indian forces of violating the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and "deliberately provocating" the situation in Galwan Valley. It alleged that these actions by the Indian army "undermined the stability of border areas and threatened lives of Chinese personnel." While India officially lost around 20 soldiers in the brutal hand-to-hand combat, China later acknowledged four casualties from the clash.
Accusations
India accused of distorting facts and misleading international community
The Global Times article further quoted then-Defense Ministry spokesperson Senior Colonel Ren Guoqiang, who accused India of "exaggerating casualty figures, distorting facts, and attempting to mislead the international community and smear the Chinese military." The report also slammed India's use of cinema to "stir nationalistic sentiment," calling it reflective of "a deeply rooted cultural and political tradition." The film also stars Chitrangda Singh in a pivotal role.