Bollywood superstar Salman Khan is set to play Colonel Bikumalla Santosh Babu MVC, the Indian Army officer who heroically laid down his life during the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, in an upcoming biopic directed by Apoorva Lakhia (Shootout at Lokhandwala, Mission Istaanbul).
The film, based on the first chapter of the book India’s Most Fearless 3 by Shiv Aroor and Rahul Singh, will begin filming in July 2025. The screenplay has been penned by Suresh Nair, with Chintan Gandhi and Chintan Shah (dialogue) contributing.
Salman, who has already begun physical training at his Panvel farmhouse, will start prepping for the emotionally intense role by late May. The production will feature a 70-day schedule, including 20 days in high-altitude Ladakh and 50 days in Mumbai.
This marks Salman’s first collaboration with Apoorva Lakhia. The film aims to be a gripping tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of Colonel Babu, the commanding officer of the 16 Bihar Regiment, who was the first Indian Army officer to be KIA against the PLA since 1967.
The untitled film is slated for release in the first half of 2026.
