Mumbai: Salman Khan’s highly-anticipated war drama ‘Maatrubhumi’, which was earlier titled ‘Battle of Galwan’, is likely to arrive in theatres in May, as the makers look to lock a new release date following delays.
The film’s release has become a major talking point among fans. Initially scheduled to hit screens on April 17, the release was postponed due to pending shoot work.
Now, as per the latest reports, the makers are considering May 15 as the new release date for the much-anticipated project.
While an official announcement is still awaited, a source told Bollywood Hungama, “The additional shoot is done, and the film will be ready soon. Hence, the makers feel that it’s better to bring out the film sooner rather than later. They are looking at several options and are seriously considering May 15.”
The report further added that the makers had also explored an Independence Day release, but decided against it to avoid a box office clash with Aamir Khan and Sunny Deol’s ‘Lahore 1947’, making it a less favourable option.
“At one point, they wanted to get the film out on Independence Day, but that won’t be possible as Aamir Khan has taken the slot for the Sunny Deol-starrer Lahore 1947. The current plan is to ascertain if releasing Maatrubhumi on May 15 is possible. If not, they’ll release it later,” the source revealed.
On March 16, Salman Khan unveiled the film’s new title along with a fresh poster featuring the message, “May War Rest in Peace.”
The tagline suggests that the film aims to go beyond a typical war narrative, highlighting the human cost of conflict and emphasizing the importance of peace.
Director Apoorva Lakhia has also shared insights into the reason behind this possible change.
The director told HTCity, “Changing the title may feel sudden to SK sir’s fans, but it was never an overnight decision. From the start, we had registered two titles, Battle of Galwan and Maatrubhumi. As we went through the journey of making our film, we realised it was never just about a battle. At its heart, the film is about humanity, empathy, and the silent battles our soldiers fight.”
He added, “Maatrubhumi: May War Rest in Peace captures that emotion and sacrifice far more truthfully. It reflects the soul of the story, preserving humanity even in the face of conflict. There’s also a song in the film by the same name, and the love it has received from audiences made the title feel even more right.”
