Mumbai: Superstar Salman Khan on Friday said that “Maatrubhumi: May War Rest in Peace” did not face any pressure from the government or the CBFC to make changes to the script, as he announced that the much-delayed war drama will finally make its debut in theatres across the country on December 4.
Salman, who headlines the Apoorva Lakhia-directed movie, based on the 2020 Galwan Valley clash between Indian and Chinese troops, shared the release date at the film’s promotional event here.
The 60-year-old actor said the film was delayed multiple times because the team wanted to ensure that the visual effects were up to the mark.
“The story is about soldiers, soldiers of two countries. There’s no negative force in the story. Actually, the situation is negative. But it’s like nation comes first for the soldiers. They are caught in a situation and both the sides are trying to solve this,” Salman said at the event.
“Our director used to have an old version,” he added cheekily, alluding to Apoorva Lakhia’s previous interpretations.
Maatrubhumi was stuck in limbo amid thaw in India-China ties. Originally titled Battle of Galwan, the film was release in theatres in April.
There were reports that the authorities are seeking changes with the film, as it was inspired by the 2020 clash between the Indian Army and Chinese troops, a subject that could prove sensitive amid the current improvement in bilateral relations.
Dismissing the claims of interference, Salman Khan said, “This ongoing narrative that we were making a film against China and that our government has pressured us to change the script or rewrite it, it’s all nonsense (ye sab bakwaas hai). It’s not true at all.”
The actor, who has also produced Maatrubhumi, also clarified that the film is not a biopic.
“This is not a biopic. This is inspired… I just wanted a film that has a man-on-man scuffle. Because there are Chinese and us (Indians) in the story, so it appeared as if this will strain our relationship. But I don’t believe that the Chinese will say, ‘Salman Khan has made a film, let’s attack India’.”
A day ago, Shiv Aroor, Managing Editor, NDTV, and Rahul Singh, officially ended their collaboration with Maatrubhumi. The defence journalists were credited with the original idea for the film, which was based on a story from their book, India’s Most Fearless 3.
