Mumbai: Amid reports that Salman Khan’s ‘Maatrubhumi’ was being “sanitised,” with alleged removal of references to China, speculation grew that the film might skip its theatrical release and head directly to OTT.
However, a source close to the project has dismissed these claims, stating that the film is not heading for a direct OTT release, and will not bypass cinemas.
“Salman continues to be a mega star, and he has mounted Maatrubhumi on a grand scale. It’s a film for the big screen, and hence, he and director Apoorva Lakhia are committed to releasing the film theatrically once the issues surrounding the film are resolved,” a source was quoted as saying by Bollywood Hungama.
Another industry insider shared, “There’s a general misconception among certain people that there’s no censorship on OTT. Hence, they feel that if Salman Khan opts to skip a theatrical release, he’ll be able to drop the film on OTT without any problem. However, that’s not how it works. Every film t
hat releases directly on streaming platforms also goes through the certification process, just like any theatrical film. So, even for a direct-to-OTT premiere, the government must clear the film before it can be presented to the public.”
Salman’s upcoming war drama ‘Maatrubhumi’ appears to be undergoing significant changes.
Until March, the film was titled ‘Battle of Galwan’, inspired by the real-life clash between Indian and Chinese forces in the Galwan Valley in 2020.
However, the project has since taken a different direction, with a new title, removal of references to China and the Galwan Valley, and reports of extensive reshoots.
The teaser, released in December, had shown Salman leading his troops in close combat against Chinese forces in Eastern Ladakh, leading viewers to believe it was based on the 2020 Galwan Valley clash.
It sparked controversy after criticism from China’s state-backed media outlet Global Times, which alleged that the film “distorts facts” and promotes anti-China sentiment.
Produced by Salman under the banner of Salman Khan Films and directed by Apoorva Lakhia, the film features Salman as an Indian Army Colonel, and Chitrangda Singh.
The makers now say the film aims to present a hard-hitting portrayal of courage, sacrifice, and resilience, while also exploring the emotional layers of love and family. A release date has not yet been announced.