Maatrubhumi new release date out; Salman Khan breaks silence on script rewrite row, title change
Earlier reports had said the film was facing hurdles over its portrayal of India-China relations and that the script was rewritten after government objections. Salman, however, called the claims “completely false”.
Speaking at the film’s trailer launch in Mumbai on Friday (November 6), the actor clarified that the changes were part of the makers’ creative decisions and had nothing to do with government pressure. He also explained why the film’s title was changed and said that the film passed censor tests without any cuts.
Salman Khan reacts to Maatrubhumi script rewrite rumours
During the trailer launch, Salman was asked about reports claiming that Maatrubhumi had undergone changes because of concerns over its portrayal of India and China.
Reacting to the speculation, the actor said, “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).”
The film is not about showing any of the countries in a bad light. It is about the lives of the soldiers and their families,” said Salman.
He also spoke about how soldiers put their country above everything else, even when they may not have personal differences with those on the opposing side.
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“How for these soldiers… the nation comes first. They like each other, but when vo jab bhi situation ata hai, then the nation comes first. Both 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.
The actor also referred to director Apoorva Lakhia’s earlier version of the story, indicating that the project had evolved during its development.
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Why was Battle of Galwan renamed Maatrubhumi?
Salman also cleared the air about the film’s title change. The project was initially promoted as Battle of Galwan, with its early promotional material carrying that name.
However, according to the actor, Battle of Galwan was only a working title, and the makers had always planned to replace it. Explaining how the team eventually settled on Maatrubhumi, Salman said, “Vo jo clap hota hai, clap pe aise hi daal diya tha humne. Hume pata tha ki vo title hume chahiye nahi, aur phir vo title humko humare gaane se hi mila – Maatrubhumi – that’s Himesh’s song. Thank you, Himesh. (We had just put that clap in casually. We knew we didn’t want that title, and eventually, we found the title in our own song).”
The actor revealed that the final title came from a song composed by Himesh Reshammiya for the film.
Maatrubhumi release date and cast
Salman Khan also announced that Maatrubhumi: May War Rest in Peace will now release in theatres on December 4, 2026. The film was earlier scheduled to arrive in April, but its release was subsequently postponed.
Produced by Salman Khan, the film also stars Chitrangda Singh, Mukesh Rishi, Ankur Bhatia, Zeyn Shaw and Abhilash Chaudhary in important roles.
What is Salman Khan’s Maatrubhumi about?
Directed by Apoorva Lakhia, Maatrubhumi: May War Rest in Peace was initially inspired by the June 2020 Galwan Valley clash between Indian and Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh. The confrontation took place along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers.