In an exciting and highly anticipated announcement, Bollywood superstar Salman Khan is set to portray Colonel Bikumalla Santosh Babu in his next film. The film, which will be based on the real-life events surrounding the 2020 Galwan Valley clash between Indian and Chinese troops, promises to honor the sacrifices made by one of India’s most courageous military officers.
The project is said to be based on the real-life story of Colonel Bikumalla Santosh Babu MVC, who served as the commanding officer of the 16 Bihar Regiment. He was killed in action during the 2020 China–India skirmishes in the Galwan Valley, becoming the first Indian Army officer to be KIA against the PLA since 1967. His heroic actions, despite being outnumbered, are chronicled in the acclaimed book ‘India’s Most Fearless 3’ by Shiv Aroor and Rahul Singh.
A source told Mid-Day, “Colonel Babu’s character is heroic. He had proved his mettle in several counterinsurgency 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.”
“Salman loved the story and will begin his prep from the end of May. He has already begun physical training for his role at his farmhouse in Panvel,” the source added.
The film will be directed by Shootout at Lokhandwala and Mission Istaanbul director Apoorva Lakhia and is scheduled to go on floors in July 2025. The screenplay has been adapted by Suresh Nair, in collaboration with Chintan Gandhi and Chintan Shah, with Shah also writing the dialogues.
