Bollywood rushes to register ‘Operation Sindoor’ title after military strike
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Following India’s decisive military retaliation dubbed Operation Sindoor, a wave of interest has swept through Bollywood, with 15 filmmakers and production houses reportedly applying to register the title for potential films.
The rush, confirmed by Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) president BN Tiwari, was first reported by India Today.
Among the notable names seeking the rights to the title are Ashoke Pandit, Madhur Bhandarkar, and major production studios including T-Series and Zee Studios.
Applications were filed with the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPPA), which oversees title registrations.
This isn’t a new phenomenon in Bollywood. The industry has a long-standing trend of securing film titles immediately after significant national events. “Filmmakers often claim titles early, even if a film isn’t guaranteed to be made,” said a source quoted in the report. “After the success of patriotic films like Uri, War, and Fighter, the war genre continues to remain commercially and emotionally appealing.”
Ashoke Pandit confirmed his application for the title. “It’s a natural instinct as a filmmaker to act quickly when something impactful happens. Even if we don’t make a film, registering the title gives us the freedom to explore the idea,” he said. He added that the theme is personally meaningful, referencing the decades-long impact of terrorism on India and his own experiences related to cross-border conflict.
Trade insiders suggest Mahaveer Jain’s production house may have been the first to register the title. While multiple parties have shown interest, registering a title doesn’t guarantee that all applicants will follow through with a film.
Meanwhile, Reliance Industries distanced itself from the rush, issuing a public clarification. Despite initial reports of its involvement, the conglomerate confirmed that Jio Studios had withdrawn its application, calling the move an unauthorised error by a junior employee.
In a strong statement, Reliance reaffirmed its support for the Indian Armed Forces and government: “We are immensely proud of Operation Sindoor and stand by our nation’s fight against terrorism. Our commitment to the motto ‘India First’ remains steadfast.”