Salman KhanThe much-anticipated war film ‘Maatrubhumi: May War Rest in Peace’ is still in release limbo, and it’s not alone. Now, films built around the Indo-China Galwan Valley conflict in 2020 face serious hurdles as government directives and diplomatic sensitivities make it increasingly difficult to bring these stories to the screen. While ‘Maatrubhumi’ is struggling to find a release date, another project with the same theme has been completely stalled.Another project has reportedly been shelved amid Salman Khan film speculationsAccording to a report by Mid-day, producer Himalay Dassani, husband of actress Bhagyashree, was developing ‘The Lion of Galwan’ along with his son actor Abhimanyu Dassani. The film was to be based on the life of Vir Chakra awardee Sepoy Gurtej Singh, who was martyred in the Galwan Valley skirmish. Now the project has been abandoned for good.Himalay Dassani explained the connection the filmmakers find in trying to tell Galwan’s story. He said, “The India-China relationship is much better today. So we will have to revise the story idea. After completing the script, we will have to submit it to the Indian Ministry of Defense before we start shooting. Also, we have received from them that there cannot be an attack on China. So we have to revise that angle.“He went further, detailing the creative deadlock this creates, saying: “If we don’t get permission from the Ministry of Defence, there’s no point in telling the story of the Battle of Galwan because we can’t show the right angle. If not the reasons behind the fighting and the clash, what’s the point of making a film? So we have to preserve it.”Where is Maatrubhumi now?Originally titled Battle of Galwan and officially titled on March 16, ‘Maatrubhumi: May War Rest in Peace’ was eyed for an April 17 release before it was postponed. Reports now suggest that the film will release on August 14. the director Apoorva Lakhiathe film stars Salman Khan as Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu, who was martyred along with 19 soldiers of the 16th Bihar Regiment in the clash.Salman Khan loses his cool on the paparazziAdding to the film’s tumultuous journey, Salman Khan recently made headlines by confronting media personnel outside a hospital where he had gone to visit a friend. She later said on Instagram, “If I see some press in a hospital enjoying my pain. The press that I’ve defended, that I’ve worked with, that I’ve taken care of, they’ve made sure that they earn their bread and butter too. But if they want to make money off of my losses…shut up, don’t enjoy it. Bhai bhai bhai, matrabhumi picture ki maa ki aankh, pic imp hai ya life.”On the other hand, Salman Khan will next star in Vamshi Paidipally’s co-starrer Nayanthara.
