Nov 06, 2026 4:11pm IST
It’s Salman Khan vs Shraddha Kapoor On Dec 4 As ‘Maatrubhumi’ And ‘Eetha’ Lock Horns
Salman Khan’s “Maatrubhumi: May War Rest in Peace” is set to release in cinemas on December 4, putting it in a direct box-office clash with Shraddha Kapoor’s “Eetha”. The two films will arrive on the same Friday, bringing together two very different projects: Apoorva Lakhia’s war drama, inspired by the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, and Laxman Utekar’s biographical film centred on the life of celebrated Lavani performer Vithabai Narayangaonkar.
“Maatrubhumi: May War Rest in Peace” was initially announced as “Battle of Galwan” and draws inspiration from the June 2020 confrontation between Indian and Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh. Salman portrays Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu, the commanding officer of the 16 Bihar Regiment who led Indian soldiers during the clash and was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra. The film also stars Chitrangda Singh, with Mukesh Rishi, Ankur Bhatia, Zeyn Shaw and Abhilash Chaudhary in key roles. Vijay Raaz lends his voice as the narrator.
Directed by Apoorva Lakhia, the film has undergone a prolonged journey to the big screen, with its title and release plans changing along the way. It was originally expected to arrive in April 2026 but was postponed amid reported changes to the film and delays in the certification process. The project is produced by Salman Khan Films, with Jio Studios handling its all-India theatrical distribution.
Related Stories
“Eetha”, meanwhile, marks Shraddha Kapoor’s return to the big screen in a role inspired by Vithabai Narayangaonkar, one of the most prominent names in Maharashtra’s Tamasha and Lavani traditions. Directed by Laxman Utekar and produced by Maddock Films, the period drama follows the life and journey of the performer, who built a legacy in a demanding, male-dominated performance tradition. The film also stars Randeep Hooda and Nana Patekar.
“Eetha” was earlier scheduled to release on August 28 before being moved to December 4 to avoid a clash with Yash’s “Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups”. The revised date had already placed the film in a crowded year-end release calendar. With “Maatrubhumi” now joining it on the same day, the December 4 box-office contest gains another major Hindi release.
The clash also brings Salman and Shraddha into direct competition at the box office, with the former headlining a large-scale war drama and the latter leading a period biographical film. Both films will now look to draw audiences on the same opening day.
Comments are moderated. They may be edited for clarity and reprinting in whole or in part in Variety publications.