Bollywood’s new obsession: Bagging ‘Operation Sindoor; Who’ll make the first war blockbuster?

In the ever-dynamic world of Bollywood, art and real-life events have long shared a symbiotic relationship. From dramatized war sagas to stories of national heroism, the Indian film industry has never shied away from turning moments of national pride or pain into cinematic gold. The recent military strike, Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the terror attack in Pahalgam has not only triggered strong patriotic sentiments across the country but also unleashed a different kind of race in the entertainment industry.

Within hours of the Indian Armed Forces’ announcement of Operation Sindoor, a strategic mission targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, production houses scrambled to secure rights to titles related to the event. From war thrillers to docu-style web series, a wave of interest surged as filmmakers hurried to lock down names for potential projects, even before any scripts were written.

Bollywood’s Longstanding Affair with Nationalism on Screen

This is hardly a new phenomenon. The Hindi film industry has consistently cashed in on real-life incidents, especially those involving India-Pakistan conflicts and military operations. Hits like Uri: The Surgical Strike, Shershaah, Fighter, Skyforce, and Raazi prove that stories soaked in nationalistic fervour resonate strongly with Indian audiences. These films not only rake in box office numbers but also become part of the socio-political discourse, adding cultural weight to cinematic storytelling.

Operation Sindoor: The Title War Begins

According to industry insiders, nearly 20-25 title applications were received by the Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA) within just two days of the operation’s announcement. Titles like Operation Sindoor, Operation Sindoor Magnum, Sindoor Operation, and Pahalgam: The Horrific Terror were among the most sought after. Notably, Reliance Industries Limited was the first to file a trademark application under Class 41, which pertains to entertainment, education, and cultural services.

Other big names that joined the title race include T-Series, Zee Studios, JP Films, Almighty Motion Picture, Bombay Show Studio, and Mahaveer Jain’s company. Individual producers like Ashoke Pandit, Madhur Bhandarkar, Aditya Dhar, and John Abraham's production banner have also thrown their hats in the ring. Suresh Amin of the Indian Film & Television Producers Council (IFTPC) confirmed the flood of applications: "IFTPC is flooded by all the applications from producers to secure a title about Operation Sindoor. We’ve received around 10-12 applications relevant to the mission. All big production houses are in the race."

Register First, Plan Later: The Bollywood Way

Ashoke Pandit, a seasoned producer and one of the first to apply for the title, shared his perspective: Yes, I've applied to register the title 'Operation Sindoor'. Whether a film will be made on the topic is still far-fetched, but as filmmakers and producers, we often register titles the moment something interesting happens, it's the first and important step. Without a title, you can't even begin planning a film." He also acknowledged the emotional resonance of such subjects: "I can identify with this subject very well. We’ve been victims of terrorism for decades, and I’ve personally suffered due to Pakistan’s actions. This is an important story for me."

Social Media Joins the Casting Frenzy

As news of the title registration war spread, netizens and Redditors jumped in with their dream casts for the hypothetical movie. Akshay Kumar, Vicky Kaushal, and Yami Gautam emerged as the top choices among users envisioning the perfect war epic. Some even suggested an ensemble cast featuring Manoj Bajpayee, Randeep Hooda, and Taapsee Pannu, speculating on what a cinematic recreation of Operation Sindoor might look like.

While some fans are excited at the possibility of another patriotic film, others have expressed concern over how quickly a grave national issue is being turned into potential box office bait. Critics argue that this rush to monetize tragedy shows the opportunistic side of showbiz.

This sudden spike in title registrations highlights a stark reality of the entertainment business, where patriotism can quickly become a commercial genre. While storytelling rooted in real events has its power, the speed at which filmmakers are acting raises questions about intent.

Still, in an industry driven by both emotion and economy, securing a title could mean being ready when the time is right. As Haresh Patel of IMPPA puts it, “Now, it all depends on who sent in the application first. The title will go to that producer.”

While Operation Sindoor remains a critical military move in India’s ongoing fight against terrorism, it has also inadvertently become Bollywood’s newest muse. Whether this results in a respectful tribute or a hurried commercial flick remains to be seen. What’s clear, however, is that in the world of cinema, national events are not just moments of reflection, they are often seen as opportunities waiting to be scripted.