Salman Khan’s Maatrubhumi Awaits CBFC Certification as November Release Plan Hangs in the Balance
Salman Khan’s upcoming film Maatrubhumi remains in a holding pattern, with its proposed November theatrical release dependent on the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Although the film has reportedly received government clearance, it has yet to be scheduled for a certification screening—an important step that must be completed before it can reach cinemas.
The project, previously announced as Battle Of Galwan, is inspired by the 2020 India-China border conflict. Its title was later changed to Maatrubhumi. The reported delay has brought renewed attention to the film’s subject matter, including how it portrays a sensitive episode in recent history and references China at a time when diplomatic relations between the two countries have been evolving.
Certification screening is the immediate hurdle
According to a trade source quoted by Bollywood Hungama, the makers submitted Maatrubhumi for certification at the beginning of October. However, the CBFC had not assigned a date for the screening as of the source’s account. A screening was reportedly expected to take place on October 26, but it did not go ahead.
The source also said Salman Khan had travelled to Delhi more than once to approach the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and seek help in facilitating the screening. The reported visits underline the urgency surrounding the film’s release plans, but they do not mean the actor is seeking an exemption from the certification process.
“Salman Khan is not asking for any special favours,” the source said, adding that the production had made changes requested by the Ministry and followed the prescribed application procedure. The immediate request, according to the source, is for the CBFC to view the film soon enough for the team to make informed decisions about its release.
November 13 remains the preferred date
Maatrubhumi has reportedly been targeting a theatrical release on November 13. That date remains the team’s preference, but the plan is conditional: the film must receive certification in time. Until the screening takes place and the CBFC completes its review, the proposed release date cannot be treated as confirmed.
The choice of November 13 is said to reflect Salman Khan’s preference to avoid a direct box-office clash. The source noted that no other film had claimed the date at the time of the report. Releasing in that window could also give Maatrubhumi room to build its audience before other titles arrive later in the month.
Two films are reportedly scheduled for November 27: Rajshri Productions’ Yeh Prem Mol Liya and the Emraan Hashmi-starrer Gunmaaster G9. The source said Salman was keen to release Maatrubhumi two weeks earlier, rather than compete directly with those films. A November 20 release was therefore ruled out, according to the account.
The reported scheduling decision also reflects Salman’s long-standing professional and personal association with filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya. Since Barjatya is directing Yeh Prem Mol Liya and is considered close to the actor, the source said Salman was clear that he did not want Maatrubhumi to clash with the Rajshri production.
Why December 4 was considered—and dropped
December 4 was reportedly discussed as another possible date, but distribution logistics complicated the option. Jio Studios is distributing Maatrubhumi and is also set to release the Shraddha Kapoor-starrer Eetha on the same day. The distributor is said to have explained that releasing two of its films simultaneously would not be practical, a concern Salman reportedly accepted.
That left November 13 looking like the most suitable option from a scheduling perspective. But a release calendar can only be finalised once certification is secured. If the CBFC screening is delayed further, the filmmakers may have to reassess whether the planned date still allows enough time for any required follow-up and for a coordinated theatrical campaign.
A high-profile release with a sensitive subject
The certification process is especially significant because Maatrubhumi draws on a politically sensitive real-world event. Films based on military confrontations often attract close public scrutiny, with audiences interested in both the historical context and the way filmmakers balance dramatic storytelling with responsible representation. The title change from Battle Of Galwan to Maatrubhumi has also become part of the conversation around the project.
Reports have previously suggested that content and references to China were among the issues that drew attention during the film’s development. The reported government clearance was therefore seen as a major step, but it is separate from CBFC certification. Government-level clearance and the board’s review serve different purposes, and the latter remains necessary before the film can be released theatrically.
For Bollywood, the situation highlights how release planning involves more than choosing a date and securing screens. Certification timelines, distributor schedules, competing releases and the sensitivity of a film’s subject can all affect when a production is ready to meet audiences. In this case, the proposed November 13 launch is shaped by both commercial considerations and the desire to avoid clashes with films connected to Salman Khan’s professional circle.
What happens next?
The next key development is the CBFC’s decision on a screening date. Once the board views Maatrubhumi, the certification process can move forward, though the final timeline will depend on the review and any further steps required. Until then, the November 13 release remains a target rather than a certainty.
Salman Khan’s reported efforts to move the process along reflect the narrow window facing the film’s team. A timely certification could preserve the preferred release plan; a continued delay could force the makers and distributor to reconsider their options. For now, audiences will be watching for confirmation of the screening and an official announcement on whether Maatrubhumi will arrive in cinemas as planned.
