Salman Khan’s ‘Battle of Galwan’ Teaser Sparks Chinese Outrage; Global Times Mocks Actor

Beijing: The teaser for Salman Khan’s upcoming film Battle of Galwan, based on the 2020 clash between Indian and Chinese forces in the Galwan Valley, has triggered strong reactions from China. The Chinese Communist Party’s official tabloid, Global Times, criticized the film while mocking the Bollywood star.

Chinese Media Reaction
The Global Times highlighted that the teaser, released by Salman Khan on December 27, portrays him as Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu, a hero of the Galwan skirmish. The film is set to release in April 2026. The tabloid wrote that the teaser’s dramatized action scenes, including hand-to-hand combat and stick fights, resemble exaggerated fantasy shows akin to Game of Thrones. Chinese social media users on Weibo ridiculed the film, claiming, “When history weakens, Bollywood comes to help.”

The Global Times also criticized Salman Khan, stating that Chinese audiences recognize him for roles like in Bajrangi Bhaijaan, but often tease him for portraying overly invincible characters with simplistic storylines and exaggerated visual effects.

Historical Narrative Disputed
Chinese experts cited by Global Times emphasized that while Bollywood films focus on entertainment and emotion, they cannot rewrite history or undermine China’s sovereignty and the People’s Liberation Army’s resolve to protect it. The tabloid specifically rejected Indian media claims suggesting that 200 Indian soldiers faced 1,200 Chinese troops, calling such reports misleading and inaccurate.

China’s Position on the Galwan Clash
The Global Times cited a 2020 statement by a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson detailing China’s stance on the Galwan incident. According to the spokesperson, the Galwan Valley lies on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in western India-China border regions. Chinese border troops have patrolled the area for years, but in April 2020, Indian forces unilaterally built roads, bridges, and other infrastructure in the valley, prompting repeated objections from China.

On May 6, 2020, Indian forces allegedly crossed into Chinese territory at night, establishing fortifications and barricades, disrupting Chinese patrols, and taking provocative actions that necessitated measures to restore control and management in the border areas. China acknowledged the deaths of four of its soldiers nearly a year after the clash.

Conclusion
The release of the Battle of Galwan teaser has not only revived tensions surrounding the 2020 border clash but also highlighted the cultural and diplomatic sensitivities between the two nations. The film’s dramatization of historical events continues to stir debate online, particularly across Chinese social media platforms.