Trade pundits were expecting Salman Khan to take a break, reassess his career choices properly, and return with a suitably-packaged mainstream entertainer. But he's not Shah Rukh Khan — who took a four-year hiatus after the disaster of ‘Zero’ in 2018 before staging a successful comeback with ‘Pathaan’ — and isn’t keen on lying low either. Instead, Salman is aiming to begin his next project within the next five months.

PeepingMoon.com has exclusively learned that Apoorva Lakhia's film on the 2020 Indo-China Galwan Valley conflict will possibly be Salman's next. Although Salman hasn't officially signed it yet, he has given his go-ahead to the filmmaker. Apoorva, who directed ‘Shootout at Lokhandwala’, ‘Mission Istanbul’, ‘Zanjeer’ (Ram Charan), and ‘Haseena’, has initiated preliminary preparations with the intention to take it to the floors in August-September.

Salman is reportedly prioritizing Apoorva's film because his potential collaboration with Kabir Khan failed to materialize. According to sources, Salman wanted Kabir to direct ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan 2’, which V. Vijayendra Prasad narrated to him during Eid. Salman loved what he heard and called Kabir to hear it. The director also appreciated the story but is believed to have expressed reservations about doing it. Kabir reportedly felt that the expectations surrounding a sequel to a beloved classic like ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ would be too overwhelming.

 

 

 

 

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Kabir tried to convince Salman to do a standalone film and narrated ‘Babbar Sher’, an actioner he has been trying to make for a long time. Salman liked that story, too, but wanted ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan 2’ to be made first. Sensing Kabir’s uncertainty, Salman moved forward with Apoorva's war drama as his next film. Discussions with Kabir are still going on, with ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan 2’ taking priority, but it’s still unclear if they will collaborate on this sequel or a standalone film altogether.

Apoorva's yet-untitled film is said to be a gripping, first-hand account of the Galwan Valley clash, showcasing the bravery of 200 Indian soldiers who stood their ground against 1,200 well-equipped Chinese PLA troops in June 2020. Salman will play an Indian Army officer in what is being described as a heavily-researched, emotionally-resonant narrative. He will co-produce the film under his banner, Salman Khan Films, in association with a major studio.