India on Tuesday responded to criticism from Chinese media over the upcoming Salman Khan film ‘Battle of Galwan’, saying that artistic freedom is protected in the country and filmmakers have the right to tell stories through cinema. Government sources said that the Indian government has no role in the making of the film and that filmmakers are free to exercise their creative expression.

The movie is based on the June 2020 Galwan Valley clash between Indian and Chinese soldiers in eastern Ladakh. It stars Salman Khan as Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu, the commanding officer of the 16 Bihar Regiment, who was killed during the violent face-to-face combat with Chinese troops. The clash, which involved stones, clubs and hand-to-hand fighting, marked one of the most serious military confrontations between the two countries in decades.

India has officially stated that 20 Indian soldiers lost their lives in the Galwan clash. China, on the other hand, initially denied suffering any casualties. Later, Beijing admitted that four Chinese soldiers were killed, a figure that many believe underplays the actual losses.

Reacting to criticism from China’s state-run newspaper Global Times, Indian government sources said that cinematic expression is part of India’s freedom of speech. “India is a country with freedom of expression, and filmmakers are free to make films under this artistic freedom,” a source said. The source added that if anyone has concerns about the film, they are free to approach India’s Ministry of Defence for clarification, stressing that the government has no involvement in the project.

The Global Times article claimed that the film “distorts facts” and presents a version of events that does not match China’s narrative. It said Bollywood films focus on emotional storytelling and exaggeration, and argued that cinema cannot change history or weaken the Chinese army’s stance on protecting its territory.

The Chinese newspaper also wrongly claimed that the Galwan Valley lies on China’s side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC). It accused Indian troops of crossing the LAC and triggering the clash. India has repeatedly rejected these claims, stating that Chinese forces attempted to change the status quo along the LAC.

Following the Galwan clash, India-China relations worsened sharply. Both countries moved thousands of troops, heavy weapons, and military equipment to forward areas along the LAC in Ladakh. India also increased surveillance and border patrols to prevent any future aggression.

The debate over the film reflects the continued tension and differing narratives between India and China over the Galwan incident, even four years after the deadly clash.