Mumbai: Salman Khan’s much-delayed war drama Maatrubhumi: May War Rest In Peace has reportedly crossed a major hurdle on its way to theatres, with the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry issuing a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the revised version of the film.

The development comes after months of uncertainty surrounding the project, which was originally announced as Battle of Galwan and is based on the 2020 clash between Indian and Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley.

According to a report by Bollywood Hungama, officials at the I&B Ministry were satisfied with the revised version submitted by the makers and issued the NOC last week. The film, however, still needs certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) before a theatrical release can be confirmed.

A possible release date of November 13 is being considered, but the date has not been officially announced by the makers and remains dependent on the certification process.

Maatrubhumi clears a key government hurdle

The reported NOC marks an important development for a film that has faced repeated delays.

The project was initially developed under the title Battle of Galwan, with its story inspired by the 2020 India-China military confrontation in eastern Ladakh. It was later renamed Maatrubhumi: May War Rest In Peace as the makers continued to work on the film.

Earlier reports said the film had faced concerns over its portrayal of China. The project had not yet been submitted to the CBFC as recently as September, when reports said the makers were still working with government authorities to resolve concerns surrounding its China-related narrative.

The latest report indicates that a substantially revised version has now received the I&B Ministry’s approval.

Film reportedly underwent major changes

According to the source cited by Bollywood Hungama, the revised version is significantly different from the earlier version of the film.

The source said the new version also presents India-China relations in a more positive light. Other reports have similarly said that changes and reshoots were made following concerns over the film’s original treatment of China.

The reported changes are particularly significant because the film is based on a real military confrontation involving Indian and Chinese troops.

The Galwan clash took place in June 2020 in eastern Ladakh and resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers. The incident subsequently became an important part of India-China relations.

For the filmmakers, adapting the episode into a commercial war drama has therefore involved working within a sensitive geopolitical context.

November 13 release being considered

With the government NOC reportedly in place, the next major step is certification by the CBFC.

According to Bollywood Hungama, Salman Khan is considering November 13 as a possible theatrical release date. The report said the actor believes the period after Diwali could be suitable for the film because audiences would still be in a festive mood.

However, November 13 should not be treated as a confirmed release date at this stage.

The makers are yet to officially announce the date, and the film has to be submitted to the CBFC and receive certification first. If that process is completed within the expected timeframe, the reported November 13 plan could move forward.

A clearer picture on the release schedule is expected once the certification process begins.

Why was Maatrubhumi delayed?

The film’s release has been uncertain for several months.

Originally titled Battle of Galwan, the project was designed around the 2020 India-China conflict. Reports later suggested that concerns had been raised about aspects of the film’s portrayal of China.

An earlier report by India Today in September said the film had not yet been submitted to the CBFC because the makers were still trying to resolve official concerns related to its China backdrop.

The latest reports indicate that the filmmakers subsequently submitted a revised version to the I&B Ministry and received the NOC after the changes.

The reported approval does not mean the film has completed all regulatory requirements. The CBFC certification remains a separate step before the film can be released theatrically.

Salman Khan and Chitrangda Singh lead the cast

Maatrubhumi is directed by Apoorva Lakhia and stars Salman Khan in the lead role alongside Chitrangda Singh.

The project is being produced under Salman Khan Films.

The film’s title change from Battle of Galwan to Maatrubhumi: May War Rest In Peace came as the makers continued to develop and modify the project.

The reported revisions have also changed the context in which the India-China relationship is presented in the film.

What happens next?

The immediate focus is now on the CBFC certification process.

Once the revised film is submitted, the certification process will determine whether further changes are required before it can be released to audiences.

If the film receives certification within the expected timeframe, the makers could potentially proceed with the reported November 13 release plan.

Until then, the date remains provisional.

For Salman Khan, the reported government NOC removes one of the major obstacles that had kept Maatrubhumi in limbo. The film’s eventual arrival in cinemas will now depend on the remaining certification process and an official release announcement.

After months of delays, the project has moved closer to the big screen, but the final release date is still dependent on the next regulatory step.