SRK Stood Tall but Salman Khan Surrenders: Spineless?

As Salman Khan’s upcoming Maatrubhumi gears up for its much-awaited theatrical release, audiences are speculating whether the action thriller can survive the relentless controversies and speculations that are being thrown its way.

Fans are comparing Salman’s Maatrubhumi to that of Shah Rukh Khan’s 2023 blockbuster hit Pathaan and recalled how it broke multiple box office records despite facing similar backlash prior to its release.

There was a huge social media boycott campaign over its song Besharam Rang. A section of right-wing people demanded changes to the title, scenes, and even the song’s visuals right up until the day of its release.

However, it was revealed that makers at Yash Raj Films (YRF) allegedly refused to alter anything, and the film hit the theaters unchanged. Shah Rukh Khan refused to budge and stood tall.

As we now know, the film went on to smash box office records and still remains one of the highest-grossing Bollywood films ever. Additionally, it also marked Shah Rukh’s massive on-screen and box office comeback in years.

Contrary to this, Salman’s Maatrubhumi (previously Battle of Galwan) seems to be faltering. Since the film dealt with multiple politically sensitive topics involving China and the Galwan Valley, makers changed the title, removed key references to China, and even shifted release dates multiple times.

While the makers clarified that these changes were to clear regulatory hurdles and ensure smooth distribution, they were seen as “business” decisions rather than giving in to public pressure.

On social media audiences are celebrating Shah Rukh for having a “spine” and ignoring baseless criticism. They also noted how the audience’s strong response at the box office was a “tight slap” for the critics.

Salman’s Maatrubhumi has recently faced relentless trolling for including multiple love stories despite being a war drama. The film’s release date is still not clear, but the makers are trying for a release around Independence Day.