Tehseen Poonawalla backs Salman Khan over Battle of Galwan teaser debate
Tehseen Poonawalla backs Salman Khan over Battle of Galwan teaser debate
Political commentator and former reality show contestant Tehseen Poonawalla has stepped in to defend Salman Khan amid online chatter surrounding a moment from the teaser of Battle of Galwan. The discussion erupted after viewers noticed a fleeting smile on Salman’s face in the teaser—an expression some social media users felt clashed with the gravity of a war-based narrative.
The teaser was released on December 27, 2025, coinciding with Salman Khan’s 60th birthday, and is set against the backdrop of the 2020 Galwan Valley confrontation between Indian and Chinese forces. While the visuals, patriotic undertone, and powerful monologue were widely praised, the brief smile sparked mixed reactions online.
Responding to the criticism on X (formerly Twitter), Poonawalla argued that the expression was being misunderstood. According to him, the smile was not casual or misplaced but reflected emotional control and inner strength. He described it as “calm aggression”—the look of a soldier fully aware of the danger ahead, yet refusing to show fear in the face of the enemy. – Tehseen Poonawalla backs Salman Khan over Battle of Galwan teaser debate
Poonawalla further explained that the dialogue in the teaser clearly establishes the mindset of a soldier entering battle. Quoting the lines about wounds being treated as medals and death being saluted rather than feared, he said the scene captures acceptance, courage, and resolve. In his view, the smile symbolises a warrior’s mental preparedness—an acknowledgment that both survival and sacrifice are forms of victory.
Directed by Apoorva Lakhia, Battle of Galwan features Salman Khan as Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu and also stars Chitrangada Singh, Zeyn Shaw, Ankur Bhatia, Vipin Bhardwaj, Heera Sohal, and Abhilash Chaudhary in key roles. The film is slated for a theatrical release on April 17, 2026.
Given its sensitive subject and Salman Khan’s return to intense, large-scale drama, Battle of Galwan has already become one of the most talked-about projects of his career. Tehseen Poonawalla’s defence has added another layer to the conversation, reframing the debated moment as a portrayal of composure and bravery rather than inconsistency—fueling further anticipation for the film’s release.
Tehseen Poonawalla backs Salman Khan over Battle of Galwan teaser debate
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