The war drama “Maatrubhumi” (formerly known as the “Battle of Galwan”), starring Salman Khan and Chitrangada Singh, has run into unexpected delays following the death of actor-singer Prashant Tamang. Prashant Tamang, who won Indian Idol 3, became a famous artist in the Nepali community, died from cardiac arrest at 43 years old in January 2026.
Prashant Tamang played the primary antagonist in the movie and reportedly completed his work on the key scenes. The character of the deceased actor needed to complete his development, including essential fight scenes. The production team faces difficulties because they need to reshoot all Tamang scenes with another performer, according to production sources, which has become too costly for them to handle. The producers refer to the situation as a “logistical nightmare.”
The makers of “Maatrubhumi” might choose either a complete recasting of the role or advanced AI technology with visual effects to create a digital version of Tamang who will appear in upcoming scenes using a body double, according to news reports. The latter approach requires permission from Tamang’s family, which must be obtained before proceeding.
The film, directed by Apoorva Lakhia, adapts events from the 2020 India-China conflict at the Galwan Valley. The producers of “Maatrubhumi” have postponed the film’s release, which was scheduled for April 17 2026, until they determine which course of action to take. The film will undergo a completion evaluation at the end of March, after which a new release date will be set.
