China accuses India of distorting facts in Salman starrer Battle of Galwan, New Delhi responds
Salman Khan plays Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu, a figure presented by Indian media as central to the portrayal of the 2020 Galwan Valley clash.
PTC News Desk: Salman Khan’s upcoming film Battle of Galwan is yet to hit theatres, but it has already attracted strong criticism, especially from Chinese audiences. The movie has come under close scrutiny even before its official release.
In the film, Salman Khan plays Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu, a figure presented by Indian media as central to the portrayal of the 2020 Galwan Valley clash. This depiction has generated significant buzz within Bollywood. However, a Chinese publication placed responsibility for the June 15, 2020 violence entirely on India, alleging that Indian troops crossed the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and deliberately triggered the confrontation in the Galwan Valley. The report claimed such actions destabilised the border region and endangered Chinese personnel, while asserting that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) was only acting to defend Chinese territory.
In an article headlined “Bollywood film ‘Battle of Galwan’ sparks controversy for distorting facts; expert says no ‘over-the-top’ drama can affect a nation’s sacred territory”, the publication claimed the Salman Khan-starrer did not reflect the actual events on the ground.
Meanwhile, India underscored prevailing artistic freedom in the country that gives filmmakers the freedom to make films.
India on Tuesday underlined that there's "artistic freedom" in the country and filmmakers have the right to make films exercising this freedom, government sources said after Chinese media claimed the Salman Khan starrer 'Battle of Galwan' "distorts facts".
Although India officially confirmed the deaths of around 20 soldiers in the fierce hand-to-hand combat, the Chinese article accused New Delhi of exaggerating casualty numbers and misleading the global community to discredit the Chinese military. It cited remarks by then Chinese defence ministry spokesperson Senior Colonel Ren Guoqiang to support these allegations. China later acknowledged that four of its soldiers had died in the clash, after initially denying any losses.
India accused of using films to fuel nationalism
The report also accused India of employing cinema as a means to “incite nationalist sentiment,” describing it as part of a long-standing cultural and political practice. Restating Beijing’s consistent stance, it claimed that India was the first to cross the border and that the PLA responded in defence of Chinese territory in accordance with the law.