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Bollywood Blitz: ‘Operation Sindoor’ Sparks Title War Among Filmmakers
Over 30 Bollywood filmmakers have applied for titles inspired by India’s Operation Sindoor within 48 hours of the military strike on terror camps. The rush reflects patriotic sentiment and industry ambition.
On May 7, 2025, India launched Operation Sindoor, a precision military strike targeting nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The operation followed the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists.
India's armed forces employed advanced weapons like beyond-visual-range and standoff systems to dismantle bases belonging to Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba. Among the 100 neutralized militants was Abdul Rauf Azhar, a high-value target. Described as “focused, measured, and non-escalatory,” the operation was widely hailed as a strong stand against terrorism.
The success of Operation Sindoor has resonated far beyond the defense community, rapidly capturing Bollywood’s attention. According to Anil Nagrath, Secretary of the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPPA), over 30 film title applications were submitted to industry bodies within just two days.
Title Race Like No Other
Bollywood Reacts to a Real-World Strike
This surge is reminiscent of title frenzies following past military actions like the Kargil conflict and the 2016 Uri surgical strike. The latest title war includes names such as ‘Operation Sindoor’, ‘Mission Sindoor’, ‘Sindoor: The Revenge’, ‘Hindustan Ka Sindoor’, ‘Mission Operation Sindoor’, and ‘Sindoor Ka Badla.’
Applications inspired by the Pahalgam attack, like ‘Pahalgam: The Terror Attack’ and ‘Pahalgam Attack,’ have also surfaced.
How the Title Registration Process Works
The Indian film title registration process is managed by IMPPA, IFTPC, WIFPA, and the Producers Guild of India. Titles are awarded based on a first-come-first-served basis, with no partiality. The standard registration fee is Rs 300 plus GST, while urgent applications cost Rs 3,000. Producers have three years to begin work, failing which the title becomes void.
Big Names Join the Title War
Veterans and Newcomers Eyeing the Spotlight
Notable participants include Aditya Dhar, who directed the 2019 blockbuster Uri: The Surgical Strike, actor-producer Suniel Shetty, and filmmakers Madhur Bhandarkar, Vivek Agnihotri, and Ashok Pandit. T-Series, one of India’s largest production houses, is also in the race.
Social Media Reactions: Applause and Criticism
Online platforms have lit up with debates. While some praise the industry for promoting national pride, others criticize the trend as exploitative. “Bollywood’s greed knows no bounds. National pride is not your marketing gimmick!” wrote one user on X.
Trademark and Domain Drama
Operation Sindoor as a Brand
The title isn’t just being fought over for the silver screen. On May 8, six trademark applications were filed with the Controller General of Patents, Designs, and TradeMarks. These aimed to register “Operation Sindoor” under Class 41 for entertainment-related services.
In an unusual twist, Reliance Industries Ltd withdrew its application after discovering it was filed without authorization by a junior employee.
The Digital Grab
Domains related to “Operation Sindoor” have also been snapped up rapidly. This has raised concerns about profiteering in the name of patriotism, echoing concerns from previous events where domain parking followed national incidents.
A Double-Edged Sword: Tribute or Commercialization?
The Bollywood frenzy to adapt Operation Sindoor into a movie underscores the industry’s ability to swiftly tap into national sentiment. While some view the title race as a tribute to India’s armed forces, others see it as opportunistic commercialization of a tragic yet heroic chapter.
What remains to be seen is whether these upcoming films will respectfully portray the valor of the Indian military or merely exploit patriotic fervor for box office success.
