Originally announced as ‘Battle Of Galwan’, Salman Khan’s highly anticipated film was retitled ‘Maatrubhumi’ earlier this year. It dramatises the 2020 India-China conflict. Reports suggest it ran into obstacles over its content and portrayal of China, at a time when relations between the two nations have been warming. The government reportedly gave its nod recently, but about a month later, the film is still waiting on certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
‘Maatrubhumi’ still waits for a CBFC screening
According to Bollywood Hungama, the makers of ‘Maatrubhumi’ applied for censor certification at the beginning of October. However, the CBFC hasn’t given them a date for the film’s screening. There was an assurance that the screening would take place on Monday, October 26, but it did not happen. Salman flew to Delhi a few times to request the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to facilitate the screening. Khan is not asking for any special favours. He has made the changes the Ministry wanted and followed all the rules while applying for certification. He aims to release the film in cinemas next month and therefore wants the CBFC to view the film at the earliest.As per the reports, Salman wants ‘Maatrubhumi’ in cinemas on November 13, and that date is still very much on the table. Whether it holds depends on the CBFC issuing the certificate in time.
‘Maatrubhumi’ and the November 27 clash
Reports suggest Salman isn’t a fan of box office clashes, and no other film has claimed the November 13 slot so far. Rajshri Productions’ ‘Yeh Prem Mol Liya’ and Emraan Hashmi’s much-awaited ‘Gunmaaster G9’ are both set to arrive on November 27. Salman reportedly wants ‘Maatrubhumi’ to open two weeks ahead of them so all three films get a fair run at the ticket window, which is why he ruled out November 20. He has also made it clear that he won’t go up against ‘Yeh Prem Mol Liya’, since its director, Sooraj Barjatya, is like family to him.
Why ‘Maatrubhumi’ dropped the December 4 date
Another date reportedly under discussion was December 4, but Jio Studios, which is handling the distribution of ‘Maatrubhumi’, has already slotted Shraddha Kapoor’s ‘Eetha’ for that day. The studio is said to have explained that two of its films can’t open together, and Salman accepted the reasoning.
‘Maatrubhumi’ cast and direction
‘Maatrubhumi’, earlier known as ‘Battle Of Galwan’, is helmed by Apoorva Lakhia. The story draws on the 2020 face-off between Indian and Chinese soldiers in the Galwan Valley. Apart from Salman, it features Chitrangada Singh, Ankur Bhatia and others.
