Salman Khan finally has a date for the film he has been waiting to release for months. His war drama Maatrubhumi: May War Rest in Peace will arrive in cinemas on December 4, 2026, the actor announced at the film’s trailer launch in Mumbai on Friday, November 6. The trailer launch also gave Salman a stage to firmly reject reports that the film was delayed because the government or the censor board wanted its script rewritten.
The announcement ends months of uncertainty around one of Bollywood’s most talked about delayed films. Maatrubhumi was first scheduled to release on April 17 this year, but it missed that date and then slipped through several planned windows. Now, with the trailer out and a locked date, the film is finally on its way to theatres, where it will share its opening day with Shraddha Kapoor’s biographical drama Eetha.
December 4 release, and a clash with Eetha
Salman announced the December 4 date himself at the trailer launch event in Mumbai, which was attended by co-star Chitrangda Singh and director Apoorva Lakhia. The date puts an end to weeks of speculation. Earlier reports had pointed to November 20, and at one stage the makers were also looking at November 13, but neither date was confirmed.
According to Salman, the team had planned to release the film on November 20, but the visual effects work is still being finalised, which pushed the release to December 4. The trailer itself was cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification on November 4, with a U/A 16+ certificate and a runtime of 4 minutes and 43 seconds, as reported by Bollywood Hungama.
The December 4 date also sets up a box office clash. Shraddha Kapoor’s Eetha is slated to release on the same day, which means two big star-led films will compete for screens and audiences on the first Friday of December.
No government pressure, says Salman
The strongest statement of the evening was Salman’s response to reports that the film had run into trouble with the censor board over its depiction of India-China relations. Dismissing the claims, Salman said the makers had independently developed a new version of the film and that there was no pressure from the government or the CBFC to change the script.
“Ye sab bakwaas hai,” Salman said at the event, rejecting the rewrite rumours outright. He explained that the changes were part of the makers’ own creative decisions, and that the new version focuses on soldiers and their families on both sides of the India-China border.
Director Apoorva Lakhia, who conceived the original story, was present at the launch as the actor spoke. The film was earlier titled Battle of Galwan before being rechristened Maatrubhumi: May War Rest in Peace earlier this year.
A long road to release
Maatrubhumi has had a difficult journey to the screen. The film was originally planned as a 45 to 50 day shoot, Salman said at the event, but production stretched far longer after Chitrangda Singh was injured during filming and needed time to recover.
The release schedule then shifted several times. The film was first meant to arrive in January or June, then pushed to August, and later to April 17, before each of those dates passed without a release. Reports of censor hurdles and questions about the film’s references to China added to the uncertainty, especially as diplomatic relations between India and China improved during the year.
With the trailer now launched and a firm date announced, the long wait appears to be over. The film is produced under Salman Khan Films, with Jio Studios handling its all India theatrical distribution.
What the film is about
Maatrubhumi is inspired by the June 2020 clash between Indian and Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh. The film tells the story of the soldiers involved in that confrontation and the families waiting back home.
Alongside Salman Khan and Chitrangda Singh, the film features Mukesh Rishi, Ankur Bhatia, Zeyn Shaw and Abhilash Chaudhary in important roles, while Vijay Raaz serves as the narrator.
At the trailer launch, Salman also weighed in on another big release of the week. He said Ranbir Kapoor’s Ramayana, which opened in cinemas on November 5, should be discussed for its characters and storytelling rather than its reported Rs 4,000 crore budget and visual effects.
For Salman, December 4 will be a test of patience finally rewarded. After a year of delays, rewrites and release date changes, Maatrubhumi is now less than a month away from reaching audiences.
FAQs
When will Maatrubhumi release?
Maatrubhumi: May War Rest in Peace will release in theatres on December 4, 2026. Salman Khan announced the date at the film’s trailer launch in Mumbai on November 6.
Who stars in Maatrubhumi?
The film stars Salman Khan and Chitrangda Singh in the lead roles, with Mukesh Rishi, Ankur Bhatia, Zeyn Shaw and Abhilash Chaudhary in supporting roles. Vijay Raaz is the narrator.
What is Maatrubhumi based on?
The film is inspired by the June 2020 clash between Indian and Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh. It was earlier titled Battle of Galwan.
Will Maatrubhumi clash with any other film?
Yes, the film will clash at the box office with Shraddha Kapoor’s biographical drama Eetha, which is also scheduled to release on December 4, 2026.
Who directed Maatrubhumi?
The film is directed by Apoorva Lakhia and produced by Salman Khan Films. Jio Studios is handling its all India theatrical distribution.
Stay tuned to Informeia for more updates on Maatrubhumi, its trailer response and the December box office race.
