Bollywood superstar Salman Khan celebrated his 60th birthday on Saturday, and the occasion came with a special gift for his legion of fans. The makers of his highly anticipated upcoming film, 'Battle Of Galwan', chose the day to drop the project's first teaser, sending the internet into a frenzy.
The Teaser That Started It All
The short but impactful teaser presents a powerful visual. It shows Salman Khan standing alone on a vast, open ground, holding a stick like a sword, poised and ready to face an unseen enemy. The stark and gritty imagery was designed to evoke a sense of epic confrontation. However, very soon after its release, the online conversation took an unexpected turn. Fans quickly began drawing parallels between this shot and one of the most iconic scenes from the global television phenomenon, 'Game of Thrones'.
A 'Battle of the Bastards' Déjà Vu?
A significant section of the audience pointed out the uncanny resemblance to the famous 'Battle of the Bastards' sequence from Season 6, Episode 9 of 'Game of Thrones'. In that scene, the character Jon Snow, played by Kit Harington, stands alone, sword in hand, as the enemy cavalry charges towards him. The solitary, defiant stance of Salman Khan in the teaser triggered an immediate wave of comparisons.
Social media platforms were flooded with side-by-side collages of the two scenes. Fans engaged in a mix of amusement, appreciation, and sharp critique. While some enjoyed the familiar, epic vibe, others were quick to label it as a direct copy. The debate spread like wildfire across Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, becoming the dominant talking point around the teaser's release.
Fan Reactions: From Love to Criticism
The online reaction to the 'Battle Of Galwan' teaser was intensely polarized. One enthusiastic Twitter user wrote, "BATTLE ROYALE! Salman Khan's Battle of Galwan teaser = Game of Thrones' Battle of the Bastards but with a Bollywood twist!" Another user directly stated in Hindi, "Battle of Galwan me Game of Thrones ka scene copy kiya hai" (They have copied a scene from Game of Thrones in Battle of Galwan).
Not all feedback was critical. One fan came to the actor's defense, tweeting, "No offense to Game of Thrones but Salman has acted way better than Jon Snow." On the other end of the spectrum, a disappointed viewer commented, "Teaser for Salman Khan next #BattleOfGalwan out DISAPPOINTING. Trying to create famous battle scene from GAME OF THRONES but fails miserably." Another echoed the sentiment, questioning, "Am I the only one who thinks that Salman Khan copied the iconic scene of Battle of Bastards?"
A Common Cinematic Trope
It is worth noting that the visual motif of a lone hero standing against overwhelming odds is not a new concept in cinema and predates 'Game of Thrones'. This powerful shot has been used in numerous Hollywood blockbusters to build tension and highlight a character's resolve. For instance, a similar moment was seen in the climactic battle of 'Avengers: Endgame' when Captain America stands alone to face Thanos's entire army. The debate, therefore, hinges on execution and originality within a well-established cinematic language.
The release of the 'Battle Of Galwan' teaser has successfully generated massive buzz, albeit with a side of controversy. It has set the stage for what promises to be a major cinematic event, while also highlighting how global pop culture references are instantly recognized and dissected by today's audience. All eyes are now on how the final film will distinguish itself when it hits the theaters.
