Salman Khan to portray Colonel Santosh Babu in film based on Galwan Valley clash

It takes immense courage to lay down one’s life for the country — and extreme caution to retell the story of a war hero. Salman Khan, who had been scouting for stories to take up after AR Murugadoss’s Sikandar, has finally locked in a script that resonated with him. Set to be directed by Apoorva Lakhia, Khan’s next film is based on a chapter about Colonel Bikumalla Santosh Babu from the book India’s Most Fearless 3 (2022), authored by Shiv Aroor and Rahul Singh. The writers — currently covering the recent India–Pakistan conflict, Operation Sindoor, and the subsequent ceasefire — are recognised experts in defence, military, and security reportage.

Colonel Babu, who led the 16 Bihar Regiment during the 2020 Galwan clash, was martyred while confronting Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley region of Ladakh on June 14, 2020. He was among the Indian soldiers to have been killed in action against the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA). In 2021, he was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India’s second-highest wartime gallantry honour.

Apoorva Lakhia

“Colonel Babu’s character is heroic. He had proved his mettle in several counter-insurgency and infiltration operations. The director has acquired the rights to the first chapter called I Had Never Seen Such Fierce Fighting — The Galwan clash of June 2020. It is a first-hand account of the 2020 clash at the Galwan Valley. The story-screenplay has been adapted for the film by Suresh Nair in association with Chintan Gandhi and Chintan Shah, with the latter also penning the dialogues,” says a source close to the project. The chapter captures how Indian soldiers, though vastly outnumbered, bravely defended their territory against the well-trained PLA troops.

The film is scheduled to go on floors in the second week of July, with a start-to-finish schedule of 70 days across Mumbai and Ladakh. “Salman loved the story and will begin his [military] prep from the end of May. He has already begun physical training for his role at his farmhouse in Panvel,” adds the source. Apart from Khan, the film will feature three younger actors in prominent roles.

What happened at the Galwan Valley?

According to reports, on June 14, 2020, Chinese troops erected tents and an observation post on the LAC (Line of Actual Control), flouting a mutual agreement between India and China. Colonel Bikumalla Santosh Babu attempted to initiate dialogue with the Chinese troops, but the situation escalated into a violent melee, resulting in casualties and injuries on both sides. Despite sustaining severe head injuries, Colonel Babu led from the front until his final breath — inspiring his troops to hold their ground. He succumbed to his injuries, reportedly along with 20 other Indian soldiers. His body was cremated with full military honours on June 18, 2020.

This article first appeared on Mid Day