Salman Khan to bring Galwan hero Colonel Santosh Babu’s story to life on screen; all you need to know

Colonel Bikumalla Santosh Babu, who died in the June 2020 skirmish in the Galwan Valley, will be the subject of a new film that Salman Khan has approved. Written by defence journalists Shiv Aroor and Rahul Singh, India’s Most Fearless 3 (2022) is the basis for the film, which will be directed by Apoorva Lakhia.

Galwan clash and Colonel Babu’s supreme sacrifice

As per a report in Mid Day, in the Galwan Valley of eastern Ladakh, Colonel Babu, commander of the 16 Bihar Regiment, was killed on June 14, 2020, while engaging Chinese forces. In 2021, after his death, he was posthumously bestowed the Maha Vir Chakra, the second-highest military decoration in India, for his valour in battle.

According to an insider, Colonel Babu is described as a heroic character who demonstrated his worth in multiple infiltration and counter-insurgency missions. The chapter that gives a first-person account of that night's events is entitled I Had Never Seen Such Fierce Fighting—The Galwan Clash of June 2020, and the film has bagged the rights to use it.

Scripting team and creative adaptation

Suresh Nair, Chintan Gandhi, and Chintan Shah collaborated on the adaptation's writing. The dialogues have also been penned by Shah. Gandhi and Nair have modified the plot screenplay for the film, according to the source, and Shah has also written the lines.

Lakhia is known for helming Haseena Parkar, Ek Ajnabee, Zanjeer, and Mum Bhai.

Reportedly, Chinese forces violated existing agreements between China and India by erecting an observation station and tents on the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Colonel Babu led a team that dismantled the structure and initiated dialogue. Emotions escalated to the point of hand-to-hand battle, resulting in the deaths of twenty other Indian soldiers, including Colonel Babu. Colonel Babu endured head injuries early in the conflict but persisted in leading until he died. His full military honours were paid during his funeral on June 18, 2020.

Salman Khan's intense training

The film will be shot in Mumbai and Ladakh over the course of 70 days, starting in the second week of July.

The end of May will mark the beginning of Salman's military preparations; he thoroughly enjoyed the story. The source added that at his farmhouse in Panvel, he has already started physical training for his role. Three younger actors, in addition to Khan, will play significant roles in the film.