‘It’s Important To Remember The Sacrifices Our Soldiers Make’

Director Apoorva Lakhia, known for gritty action dramas like Shootout at Lokhandwala, Zanjeer and Haseena Parkar, is gearing up for one of his most challenging films yet — The Battle of Galwan. Based on the 2020 clashes between Indian and Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley, the film stars Salman Khan in a never-seen-before avatar as an Indian Army officer.

Ever since Salman Khan unveiled the trailer, the film has sparked intense discussion on social media, with some viewers drawing comparisons to popular international shows. Lakhia, however, urges patience. “One cannot judge a film by a trailer alone,” he says, adding that the story demands to be seen in its entirety. In this exclusive conversation, Lakhia talks about recreating a brutal, ammunition-free battle, working with Salman Khan for the first time, casting Chitrangda Singh opposite him, and balancing realism with commercial cinema.

Galwan was unlike any battle we’ve seen before. Because of a signed treaty, no firearms were used. The entire conflict was fought hand-to-hand, in extreme cold and brutal conditions. The film captures that rawness — intense physical combat, freezing temperatures, and overwhelming circumstances.

Initially, yes. He’s an icon and one of the biggest stars we have. But from the very first day of shooting, he made both me and the entire crew comfortable. He was simply superb to work with. He is deeply involved and committed to the vision.

The entire shoot is complete. We finished the film in 66 days, including songs. We are now in post-production. I’ve taken a short break at the moment and am enjoying skydiving!

Salman sir wanted honesty and emotional integrity in the role. Chitrangda is a fantastic actor, and we felt she brought the right maturity and depth to the character. They also look very convincing together on screen.

We’re not making a documentary. It’s a feature film, so we also have to consider his commercial appeal. The idea was to merge realism with cinematic storytelling, giving audiences both authenticity and entertainment.

It was a collaborative effort. Alvira, her team, and all of us studied real Army uniforms and references. Salman sir was very clear that he wanted to portray an Army officer with utmost sincerity and respect.

Indians are inherently patriotic. There’s nothing we need to teach them — but it’s important to remember the sacrifices our soldiers make so that we can live freely and safely.