Battle of Galwan Shifts Shooting Schedule: Salman Khan’s War Drama to Begin Filming in Ladakh

Ziya Khan August 9, 2025Last Updated: August 9, 2025

The highly anticipated war drama Battle of Galwan, featuring Salman Khan as Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu, is set to begin filming in Ladakh later this month, deviating from its originally planned shoot in Mumbai. Initially, reports had revealed that an elaborate set was being constructed at Mehboob Studios in Bandra for the film’s first shooting schedule under director Apoorva Lakhia. However, production plans have now changed, with the shoot in Ladakh scheduled from August 22 to September 3, while the Mumbai schedule has been postponed indefinitely.

Creative Reason Behind the Change

According to an insider quoted by Mid-Day, “It’s a creative decision. The makers want to start directly with the action sequences. Since Salman Khan’s look in the film is very distinct, maintaining continuity was crucial. A 30-day gap between the Mumbai and Ladakh shoots would have disrupted that. Apoorva believed that these scenes needed to be filmed consecutively. ”The report also noted that the Bandra set, which had been prepared for the initial leg of shooting, is presently being dismantled. Whether any remaining sequences—such as songs or patchwork shots—will be filmed later in Mumbai is yet to be decided during the final stages of production.

About the Film and Controversy

Battle of Galwan will portray the June 2020 India-China military clash. Salman Khan plays Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu, the commanding officer of the 16 Bihar Regiment, who was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra in 2021 for his heroic role during the confrontation.

Despite rumours suggesting possible issues with the Ministry of Defence due to the sensitive nature of the film, sources close to the project have dismissed these claims. An insider clarified, “The film honors a soldier’s bravery and does not villainize any country. The makers would not have announced the film without securing the necessary permissions.”