Cinema VinesDefence journalists Shiv Aroor and Rahul Singh announced on November 5 that their formal ties with Salman Khan’s upcoming film Maatrubhumi, previously titled Battle of Galwan, have ended. The pair, who co‑authored the “India’s Most Fearless” book series, said the film has evolved past the narrative of the 2020 Galwan Valley clash that first drew them into the project.
In a joint statement, the journalists wrote, “Rahul Singh and I (Shiv Aroor) would like to share that our association with Maatrubhumi has come to a close. 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.” They also expressed gratitude to Salman Khan, director Apoorva Lakhia and the rest of the crew, wishing them success and thanking them for the opportunity to be part of the journey.
Both Aroor and Singh first became involved with the film after a chapter in India’s Most Fearless 3 (published in 2022) detailed the June 2020 clash between Indian and Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley. Director Lakhia acquired the rights to that chapter in 2023, and Aroor was credited for the film’s story alongside Suresh Nair. The movie centers on Colonel Bikumalla Santosh Babu, played by Khan, and the 19 Indian soldiers who lost their lives in the hand‑to‑hand confrontation.
The film’s promotional cycle is progressing: a 4‑minute‑43‑second trailer received a U/A 16+ certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification on November 4, and it is slated for release on November 6. While the theatrical release date remains unconfirmed, reports suggest November 20 or December 11 as potential dates.
Despite stepping away from the project, Aroor and Singh remain supportive of the film’s creators. Their statement, shared via Twitter, praised the warmth and professionalism of Khan, Lakhia and the entire team, and they extended their best wishes for the film’s success.
