The rumor mill has been working overtime regarding Salman Khan‘s upcoming film Maatrubhumi. Recent speculation suggested the big-budget war drama might skip cinemas and go directly to streaming platforms. A new report has now stepped in to set the record straight.
Sources close to the production have confirmed that the team is not planning a direct-to-OTT release. The film, which has faced several delays and creative changes, remains a big-screen priority for the superstar and director Apoorva Lakhia.
Makers Confirm No Direct-to-OTT Plan for Maatrubhumi
A report from Bollywood Hungama on April 14, 2026, quoted a source who strongly denied the streaming rumors. The insider explained that Salman Khan has invested heavily in making Maatrubhumi a large-scale theatrical experience.
“Salman continues to be a mega star and he has mounted Maatrubhumi on a grand scale. It’s a film for the big screen and hence, he and director Apoorva Lakhia are committed to releasing the film theatrically once the issues surrounding the film are resolved.” – Source close to the production
The confusion likely started because of the film’s ongoing regulatory problems. Some people believed that releasing directly on an OTT platform would help the makers avoid censorship rules. An industry insider cleared up this false belief.
“There’s a general misconception among certain people that there’s no censorship on OTT. Hence, they feel that if Salman Khan opts to skip a theatrical release, he’ll be able to drop the film on OTT without any problem. However, that’s not how it works. Every film that releases directly on streaming platforms also goes through the certification process, just like any theatrical film. So, even for a direct-to-OTT premiere, the government must clear the film before it can be presented to the public.” – Industry insider
Film Still Awaits Clearance from Authorities
The real story behind Maatrubhumi is about regulatory delays, not a change in release strategy. The film, originally titled Battle of Galwan, was based on the 2020 Galwan Valley clash between Indian and Chinese forces.
The teaser released in December 2025 got strong reactions from Chinese state media. The Global Times accused the film of “distorting facts.” This led to informal advice from Indian government authorities in February 2026 asking the makers to remove direct references to China and the Galwan conflict.
Following this, Salman Khan changed the film’s title to Maatrubhumi: May War Rest in Peace. Reports suggest nearly 40 percent of the film was reshot to add fictional elements, family sequences, and romantic tracks for supporting characters. The goal was to shift the film’s tone from a pure war drama to a human drama about relationships.
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Release Date Remains Uncertain
Maatrubhumi was first scheduled to release in April 2026. That date has now been canceled. Some reports hinted at a possible May 2026 release or an August 2026 release around Independence Day. However, no official confirmation has come from the makers.
The main hurdle right now is that the film has not been submitted to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) yet. A source told Mid-day on April 14, 2026, that no government department has seen the final version.
“At this stage, after making the necessary changes, the team is trying to understand what would be the next steps to ensure its smooth release. No department, whether the Ministry of Defence, the Army, or the CBFC, has seen the film yet,” a source revealed.
Another challenge remains. If references to China and the Galwan conflict are removed, what is the conflict in the film about? The makers are still trying to solve this central question.
What We Know About the Film
Maatrubhumi stars Salman Khan as an Indian Army Colonel. Chitrangda Singh plays a key role in the film. Apoorva Lakhia directs the project, which is produced by Salma Khan under the banner of Salman Khan Films.
The Ministry of Defence had one clear request: China should not be mentioned in the film. The current cut of Maatrubhumi, submitted earlier in April 2026, reportedly has no mention of China. Only the core team knows how the neighboring country has been shown without naming it.
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