Maatrubhumi Faces Delay, Yet to Be Submitted to CBFC: Report

Salman Khan’s much-anticipated film Maatrubhumi: May War Rest in Peace is reportedly facing continued delays, with no confirmed release date in sight. Initially slated for an April 2026 release, the film has since been postponed, and fresh reports indicate that it has not yet been submitted to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

According to sources, the makers are still evaluating the next steps to ensure a smooth release.

“At this stage, after making the necessary changes, the team is trying to understand what would be the next steps… No department, whether the Ministry of Defence, the Army, or the CBFC, has seen the film yet.”

Certification and Regulatory Hurdles

Despite multiple revisions, Maatrubhumi remains in a “wait-and-see” phase. Reports suggest that neither the CBFC nor key authorities, including the Ministry of Defence, have reviewed the film so far.

The delay in certification has added to uncertainty around its theatrical release, which was earlier rumored to shift from April to mid-2026, with speculation around a possible Independence Day window. However, no official date has been announced.

From ‘Battle of Galwan’ to Maatrubhumi

The project was originally titled Maatrubhumi: Battle of Galwan and was inspired by the 2020 Galwan Valley conflict. However, following the release of its teaser in December 2025, the film drew criticism from Chinese state-affiliated media, including Global Times, which accused it of “distorting facts.”

Subsequently, Indian authorities reportedly advised the makers to remove explicit references to China and the Galwan conflict. This led to a title change and significant alterations in the film’s narrative.

Shift in Narrative and Tone

Directed by Apoorva Lakhia, the film has undergone notable changes in tone. While initial reports suggested extensive reshoots, sources clarified that the film has not been completely rewritten.

“Maatrubhumi has not been rewritten from scratch… the team shot additional parts depicting family sequences and love stories… Now, the makers have shifted the film’s focus to family and relationships, making it a human drama.”

Although parts of the war storyline have been retained, the removal of direct references to China and Galwan has raised questions about the film’s central conflict.

Behind-the-Scenes Changes

Reports indicate that nearly 40% of the film may have been reworked to align with revised guidelines, including the addition of fictional backstories and emotional arcs. Actress Chitrangda Singh is said to feature in key portions of the revised narrative.

The production team is also said to be consciously avoiding controversy while navigating regulatory expectations and audience sensitivity.

Ongoing Uncertainty Around Release

With the film yet to be submitted for certification and still undergoing adjustments, Maatrubhumi: May War Rest in Peace remains in release limbo. The makers have not officially confirmed a new release timeline, though industry buzz suggests a possible later 2026 window.