Bollywood star Salman Khan is about to bring one of India’s bravest modern war heroes to the big screen with an emotional, action-packed military drama based on the life and sacrifice of Colonel Bikumalla Santosh Babu.
The film, from director Apoorva Lakhia, will feature the contents of the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, an adaptation of the bestselling book India’s Most Fearless 3.
Salman Khan Takes On A National Hero
In a first for his illustrious career, Salman Khan will portray an Indian Army officer and assume the role of Colonel Bikumalla Santosh Babu, who commanded the 16 Bihar Regiment during the violent Galwan Valley clash on June 14, 2020.
The Colonel was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, which is India’s second-highest wartime gallantry award posthumously, for his heroics on that tragic day in India’s history.
This will be Khan’s first military drama on the big screen, and sources say he is already in combat and fitness training at his Panvel farmhouse and preparing for a rigorous 70-day shooting schedule in Mumbai and Ladakh starting in mid-July.
The Story: Galwan 2020 – A Chapter Of Unmatched Bravery
Adapted from the chapter titled I Had Never Seen Such Fierce Fighting, from Shiv Aroor and Rahul Singh’s India’s Most Fearless 3, this film will focus on Colonel Babu’s real-time heroism as he faced the Chinese PLA despite being outnumbered and gave his life defending Indian sovereignty.
The screenplay is being written by Suresh Nair, and dialogue is being constructed by Chintan Gandhi and Chintan Shah.
Sources said the film will involve real-life battlefield choreography, hard-hitting hand-to-hand combat, and a reality-based emotional impact.
The insider also described the film as:
“But this is not a stylized-action movie; this is a tribute, and it is grounded in a respectful and emotionally impactful way for a meaningful tribute.”
The Film Will Have Three Young Actors Alongside Khan
Although Salman is the star of the film, this will also involve three younger actors that will play fellow officers and soldiers.
The casting process for these younger actors is currently ongoing accordingly.
The director has stated he wants to mix first-time actors and rising stars for a more realistic band of soldiers.
Apoorva Lakhia, known for his gritty stories like Shootout At Lokhandwala, is likely to film on location in Ladakh and recreate battlefields in Mumbai to put some scale to the film while also keeping it real.
➤ Also Read: Salman Khan Confirms Apoorva Lakhia’s Army Film From July; In Talks With Kabir Khan For Next Project
BoxOfficeWorldwide Verdict
With Salman Khan playing a real war hero and Apoorva Lakhia directing one of the most emotionally impactful modern war stories from India,
It is very likely that this could be one of the most powerful cinematic tributes to the armed forces to be produced in recent memory.
The battle of the Galwan Valley may have been etched in blood, but this film promises to etch it in the annals of cinema with patriotic fervour, purposeful intent and power.
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