Bollywood icon Salman Khan is preparing to star in a gritty war drama called Battle of Galwan, set against the true events of the June 2020 Galwan Valley skirmish between Indian and Chinese soldiers. Directed by Apoorva Lakhia, the movie is sure to be a gritty homage to the valour and martyrdom of the soldiers who battled against impossible odds in this ferocious, weaponless hand-to-hand combat.
What adds a personal touch for Punjabis is how closely linked the war and the soldiers of Punjab are. Amongst the 20 Indian troops who sacrificed their lives in the Galwan Valley, four belonged to Punjab: Sepoy Gurtej Singh of Mansa, Sepoy Gurbinder Singh of Sangrur, Naib Subedar Satnam Singh of Gurdaspur, and Naib Subedar Mandeep Singh of Patiala.
Amongst those heroes was Sepoy Gurtej Singh, who excelled in unbelievable bravery. Though gravely injured, he kept on fighting back, having killed a dozen Chinese troops before getting martyred. He was posthumously awarded Vir Chakra, one of India's topmost gallantry awards.
Twenty two years old Sepoy Gurbinder Singh who hailed from Sangrur, was getting married this same year, 2020 but his family had the misfortune of receiving his deceased body.
Thirty nine years old Naib Subedar Mandeep Singh of Patiala, was martyred during the Galwan war and his body was received by his family in death. The last rites were held at his native village of seel in the district and his minor son also took part.
Forty one year old Naib Subedar Satnam Singh’s mortal remains were received at Gurdaspur’s Bhojraj village. His 65- year old mother and 19 year old daughter had stepped forward to carry the tricolour-wrapped coffin on their shoulders in the soldier’s final journey.
3 Punjab Regiment's "Ghatak Platoon" had a critical role to play in the seven-hour-long, intense confrontation, supporting 16 Bihar Regiment in their battle against the Chinese troops. This act of valour has once again restored the vintage image of Punjab as a pillar of courage of the Indian Army, especially in the most important border fights.
The psychological impact of the fighting in Punjab was gigantic. Thousands marched behind the coffins of these valiant soldiers to the graveyard and felt enormous pride and sorrow in equal measure. The fighting sparked pride for Punjab's fighting heritage and renewed the prestige of its soldiers as unyielding warriors of the country.
Galwan Battle is yet another testimony of bravery and valuable contribution of Punjab, the 'Land of Soldiers' of the Indian Army.
Even the capital of Punjab Chandigarh was a center of the action after the Galwan Valley incident due to the city’s unique importance to Punjab and its defenders. The consequences of the conflict on Punjab are far reaching, including formal recognition of the martyrs, provision of ex gratia payments to families of the martyr soldiers, and heightened recognition of Punjab's contributions in the battle.
The then Punjab Chief Minister, who was in Chandigarh, unhesitatingly acknowledged the death of the heroes, paying his tribute.
The state government made earnest efforts at getting battle casualty certificates for the martyrs, thereby, families were accorded rightful honors and relief. Mass public mourning and official functions were held in Chandigarh and across Punjab to honor these brave soldiers, a sign of strong social and emotional identification of the battle with the state.
Salman Khan's Galwan will hit cinema screens in early 2026, and with that the weight of history as much as the timelessness of the spirit of those Punjabi jawans who sacrificed their lives. Stories of Punjab's sons' bravado, sacrifices, and determination will make way into the hearts of crores of people, reminding India of their indomitable spirit.
This movie is not merely a cinematic recreation of a pivotal military battle but also a poignant tribute to the valiant hearts of Punjab that stood steadfast for India in one of the toughest battles of the new century.
