Maharashtra | 16 March 2026

Actor Salman Khan surprised fans on Monday by announcing a new title for his upcoming film. The project, which was earlier promoted as Battle of Galwan, will now be released as Maatrubhumi: May War Rest In Peace. The change immediately caught the attention of audiences and sparked curiosity about the reason behind the decision.

Speaking about the change, director Apoorva Lakhia clarified that the move was carefully considered and not sudden. He said, “Changing the title may feel sudden to SK sir's fans, but it was never an overnight decision. From the start, we had registered two titles- Battle of Galwan and Maatrubhumi. As we went through the journey of making our film, we realised it was never just about a battle. At its heart, the film is about humanity, empathy, and the silent battles our soldiers fight.”

The film also features Chitrangda Singh and is inspired by the Galwan Valley clash 2020 between India and China. Earlier this month, the film drew attention after state-backed Chinese media reacted to the teaser and claimed that it “distorts facts”, alleging that the film could fuel anti-China sentiment.

Explaining the emotional core of the film, Lakhia added, “Maatrubhumi: May War Rest in Peace captures that emotion and sacrifice far more truthfully. It reflects the soul of the story  preserving humanity even in the face of conflict. There’s also a song in the film by the same name, and the love it has received from audiences made the title feel even more right.” The new title, according to the makers, better represents the deeper message of the story.

 Salman Khan’s ‘Battle of Galwan’ Retitled ‘Maatrubhumi: May War Rest In Peace’, Director Apoorva Lakhia Explains the Reason

Actor Salman Khan surprised fans on Monday by announcing a new title for his upcoming film. The project, which was earlier promoted as Battle of Galwan, will now be released as Maatrubhumi: May War Rest In Peace. The change immediately caught the attention of audiences and sparked curiosity about the reason behind the decision.

Speaking about the change, director Apoorva Lakhia clarified that the move was carefully considered and not sudden. He said, “Changing the title may feel sudden to SK sir's fans, but it was never an overnight decision. From the start, we had registered two titles- Battle of Galwan and Maatrubhumi. As we went through the journey of making our film, we realised it was never just about a battle. At its heart, the film is about humanity, empathy, and the silent battles our soldiers fight.”

The film also features Chitrangda Singh and is inspired by the Galwan Valley clash 2020 between India and China. Earlier this month, the film drew attention after state-backed Chinese media reacted to the teaser and claimed that it “distorts facts”, alleging that the film could fuel anti-China sentiment.

Explaining the emotional core of the film, Lakhia added, “Maatrubhumi: May War Rest in Peace captures that emotion and sacrifice far more truthfully. It reflects the soul of the story  preserving humanity even in the face of conflict. There’s also a song in the film by the same name, and the love it has received from audiences made the title feel even more right.” The new title, according to the makers, better represents the deeper message of the story.