In response to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, India launched a counter-terror operation on May 7 named ‘Operation Sindoor.’ Almost immediately following the announcement, Bollywood producers began competing to register the title, eager to bring the dramatic real-life operation to the big screen.
In an interesting development, it is reported that over 15 film production houses have already applied for the title rights, with more joining the race. Renowned names in the industry include Mahaveer Jain Films, Madhur Bhandarkar, Aditya Dhar, Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions, John Abraham’s production house, and top studios like Zee Studios, Reliance Entertainment, JP Films, Bombay Show Studio, and many more. Title registration requests have flooded bodies like the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPPA) and the Indian Film and Television Producers Council (IFTPC). Just hours after the government confirmed airstrikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK).
The rush is in line with Bollywood drawing cinematic inspiration from real-life military operations. Earlier, films such as Uri: The Surgical Strike, Shershaah, Raazi, Major, and many other movies like War, Fighter, and Mission Majnu have turned patriotic missions into box office hits. Audiences continue to like the war backdrop movies more.