Salman Khan and Anoop Bikram Shahi pose for photos at the Mumbai trailer preview of *Maatrubhumi: May War Rest in Peace* on November 6. Moments earlier, Shahi touched Khan’s feet in a gesture of respect before the two shared a hug.
Anoop Bikram Shahi Greets Salman Khan With a Gesture of Respect in Mumbai
Salman Khan held out his hand as Nepali actor Anoop Bikram Shahi joined him for cast photos in Mumbai on Friday, November 6. Shahi bent down to touch Khan’s feet, then stood up and hugged him. The gesture of respect, captured at the trailer preview of ‘Maatrubhumi: May War Rest in Peace’, is winning hearts online.
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Shahi grew up watching Khan’s films. Now he plays a Chinese army major opposite him in his Bollywood debut. At the preview, Shahi admitted he still felt nervous working with the star he had watched for years.
Director Apoorva Lakhia also shared how Shahi landed the role. He said hundreds of actors from around the world had auditioned for the part before the team chose Shahi, whom Nepali audiences know from the films ‘Hasiya’ and ‘Kri’ and the television show ‘Himalayan Roadies’.
After the first round of filming in Ladakh, Shahi recalled that Khan often asked him about Nepal and its culture between scenes. He said he felt proud to represent Nepal on an international stage.
Originally titled ‘Battle of Galwan’, the war drama also stars Chitrangada Singh. Khan told reporters in Mumbai that the film follows soldiers from both countries and explores what their families go through.
The team screened the trailer for the press, and Khan announced a new release date. With visual effects work still underway, ‘Maatrubhumi’ is now scheduled to open in cinemas on December 4, 2026, two weeks later than the planned November 20 release.
