Will Salman Khan's Maatrubhumi Skip Theatres For Direct To OTT Release? Actor Reaches THIS Decision - Report

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of the most talked-about films of 2026, Salman Khan's Maatrubhumi, has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons lately. The film, directed by Apoorva Lakhia, has faced a series of hurdles, from a postponed release date to major reshoots and Ministry of Defence feedback. Amid all this chaos, social media has been buzzing with speculation that the film may skip theatres altogether and land directly on an OTT platform. But now, the air has been cleared on this big question.

Reason Behind Maatrubhumi Direct To OTT Release Speculation

The OTT buzz around Maatrubhumi seemingly started after the Central Board For Film Certification (CBFC) asked the makers to remove all China references in the film. This, combined with the film's ongoing troubles, got fans talking about a possible digital-only premiere.There is this misconception among the general public that a film can bypass censorship by going directly to OTT. However, that is not the case. Even if a film is releasing directly on any OTT platform, it has to go through the same government certification process as a theatrical release. So even an OTT release would not solve the film's current clearance issues.

Salman Khan Wants Theatrical Release For Maatrubhumi

Despite all the noise, Salman Khan is not giving up on a big-screen release. According to a Bollywood Hungama report, "Salman continues to be a mega star and he has mounted Maatrubhumi on a grand scale." The superstar and Apoorva are committed to releasing the film theatrically once the issues surrounding the film are resolved.The report further suggested that the makers are now eyeing May 15, 2026 as a possible new release date, with the extra shoot now complete. However, no official date has been announced yet.

What All Has Happened With Maatrubhumi So Far?

Originally titled Battle of Galwan, the film is inspired by the 2020 Galwan Valley conflict between India and China. Following directives from the Ministry of Defence, the makers reshot nearly 40% of the film, adding fictional elements, romantic scenes, and a backstory, while removing direct references to China.The film was originally set to release on April 17, 2026, but has since been postponed with no new confirmed date. As of now, the Ministry of Defence, the Army, and the CBFC have not yet watched the revised cut of the film. Apart from Salman, the film also stars Chitrangda Singh, Ankur Bhatia, Zeyn Shaw, and Abhilash Chaudhary.