Authors Shiv Aroor and Rahul Singh End Association with Salman Khan’s Maatrubhumi
Defence journalists Shiv Aroor and Rahul Singh have announced the end of their formal association with Salman Khan’s upcoming military drama Maatrubhumi (previously titled Battle of Galwan). In a joint statement issued on November 5, the co-authors of the best-selling India’s Most Fearless series shared that the movie’s narrative has evolved beyond the account documented in their book.
“Rahul Singh and I would like to share that our association with Maatrubhumi has come to a close,” the joint statement read. “As the film has evolved, it has moved beyond the account of the Galwan incident in our India’s Most Fearless series that first brought us on board. We are grateful to Salman Khan, Apoorva Lakhia, and the entire team for their warmth and the opportunity to be part of this journey. We hold them in the highest regard and wish them the very best as they bring their vision to the screen.”
A statement from @RahulSinghx & me, as we wish the Maatrubhumi film team the very best!
@BeingSalmanKhan @LakhiaApoorva @SKFilmsOfficial
#IndiasMostFearless
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) November 5, 2026
The project’s origins trace back to a chapter in India’s Most Fearless 3 (2022), which detailed the June 2020 clash between Indian and Chinese forces in the Galwan Valley. Director Apoorva Lakhia acquired the screen rights in 2023, with Aroor initially sharing story credit alongside Suresh Nair. The film centers on the severe hand-to-hand battle in which Colonel Bikumalla Santosh Babu—portrayed by Salman Khan—and 19 other Indian soldiers sacrificed their lives.
This departure comes right as the film enters its primary promotional campaign. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) recently granted a U/A 16+ rating to the film’s 4-minute-43-second trailer ahead of its scheduled release. While the production team has not yet locked in an official release date, industry sources indicate that the makers are currently evaluating late November and mid-December theatrical windows.
