Battle of Galwan: Is Salman Using Patriotism for Hype?

Salman Khan’s upcoming war drama Battle of Galwan has drawn mixed reactions after a recent promotional move. The makers released special tribute videos featuring real life Army veterans and their families. This was positioned as a tribute ahead of the film’s theatrical release.

The short interview videos were shared on social media platforms. They highlighted personal stories from families closely connected to Army life. Many viewers acknowledged the emotional weight of these accounts.

The videos featured Mrs. Ganvi Chadha, daughter of Col. Mahip Singh Chadha from the 3rd Gurkhas, who served in the 1965 and 1971 wars. They also included Mrs. Savinder Manchanda, wife of Lt. Col. Jagdeep Manchanda (Retd) of the 16 Bihar Regiment. Lt. Col. Jagdeep Manchanda (Retd), who served from 1972 to 2003, also appeared.

Several social media users appreciated the effort. They felt the makers used pre release visibility to highlight the realities faced by Army families. Many said it brought attention to sacrifices beyond cinema.

However, not all reactions were positive. A section of viewers felt Battle of Galwan could still struggle at the box office. They cited factors beyond emotional promotions.

Some users speculated that the tribute videos were released after the teaser and two songs, Maatrubhumi and Main Hoon, failed to create strong buzz. According to them, the initiative looked like damage control.

Others accused the makers of using veterans’ stories mainly for marketing. They also pointed out that the team did not publicly pay tribute to Colonel Bikumalla Santosh Babu, who inspired Salman’s character, on his birth anniversary on 13 February.

Hardcore Salman fans and general Bollywood audiences also expressed disappointment. Many criticised what they described as a “Bigg Boss style” performance seen in the teaser. They felt this could limit the film’s impact.

The film’s release was reportedly shifted from April 17 to Independence Day 2026. This further fuelled claims that patriotic timing is being used to boost interest.

For Salman Khan and the team, expectations remain high. Many believe the film can only succeed if it presents a sincere and grounded narrative. Avoiding exaggeration of real events may be key to earning audience trust.