Bollywood¡¯s battle for ¡®Operation Sindoor¡¯: From Aditya Dhar to Vivek Agnihotri, why top filmmakers are racing to own the title
Bollywood producers are scrambling to register titles related to Operation Sindoor after the Indian Armed Forces' recent strike. From Aditya Dhar to Vivek Agnihotri, who have made patriotic cinema their brand, are racing to own the title. Scroll ahead to know why.
When the Indian Armed Forces carried out Operation Sindoor in the early hours of May 7, 2025, it was a moment that instantly made history. Between 1:05 and 1:30 AM, Indian forces struck nine targets across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. This was in direct response to last month¡¯s Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people. The precision, timing, and scale of the strike made it one of the most talked-about military actions in recent years, with the entire nation bowing down to the Indian soldiers for their valour and courage.
Production houses are rushing to register the name
Just hours after the operation made headlines, Bollywood producers scrambled to lock down rights to the name. According to a Times of India report, Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) President BN Tiwari confirmed that more than 15 applications had already come in. That number has since crossed 30.
Film bodies like the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPPA), Indian Film and Television Producers Council (IFTPC), and Western India Film Producers¡¯ Association (WIFPA) have received requests for titles such as Mission Sindoor, Hindustan Ka Sindoor, Sindoor: Ek Jung and Sindoor: The Revenge.
Some of the biggest names in the industry are already in the queue. Filmmakers and producers like Aditya Dhar, Suniel Shetty, Madhur Bhandarkar, Vivek Agnihotri, Ashok Pandit, and T-Series have shown interest. Production houses such as John Abraham¡¯s banner, JP Films (associated with JP Dutta¡¯s war films), Super Cassettes, Mahavir Jain Films Pvt Ltd, Bombay Shows, Mumbai Films, and Almighty Motion Pictures have also filed applications to register titles related to Operation Sindoor.
Notably, title rights are granted on a first-come, first-served basis, with application fees ranging from Rs 300 to Rs 3,000 plus GST depending on urgency.
Why the title matters to Bollywood¡¯s top players
Credit: X|@adgpi
With the ongoing conversation around India-Pakistan tensions, Operation Sindoor has become a potential brand for Bollywood. It already carries emotional weight, national relevance, and a flood of media attention. For producers, it¡¯s the kind of story that almost tells itself.
Additionally, war-based films don¡¯t just bring in numbers at the box office; they also do a lot for the people involved. They raise the profile of actors, earn directors credibility, and make the audience trust their future work a little more.
Take Uri: The Surgical Strike, for example. While Vicky Kaushal had already delivered strong performances before, it was his lead role in Uri that made him a household name. Shershaah did something similar for Sidharth Malhotra, helping revive his career at a point when many felt he was losing momentum. And for director Aditya Dhar and his wife Yami Gautam, Uri turned them into the go-to names for patriotic cinema.
Sunny Deol, Suniel Shetty, Akshaye Khanna, and Jackie Shroff have all had long, successful careers, but for many, their most iconic roles will always be from Border. Even over two decades later, its songs are still played across the country every Independence Day and Republic Day. They¡¯ve become almost sacred, a must-have in every patriotic playlist. The emotion they carry still strikes a chord, reminding people of the sacrifice of Indian soldiers.
Movies based on real-life military actions
Bollywood is currently in a tug of war for the Operation Sindoor title registration, but this kind of urgency isn¡¯t new. Real-life military actions have long inspired successful films that go on to shape the national conversation. Here are five examples of how war-based films have worked in Bollywood¡¯s favour:
Uri: The Surgical Strike (2016)
Credit: IMDb
Based on the 2016 Uri terrorist attack, the film showcased India¡¯s surgical strike on terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. It earned praise and big numbers at the box office.
Border (1997)
Credit: IMDb
Shershaah (2021)
Credit: IMDb
A biopic on Kargil War hero Captain Vikram Batra, the film highlighted his bravery and personal journey. It resonated deeply with young audiences.
The Ghazi Attack (2017)
Credit: IMDb
LOC: Kargil (2003)
Credit: IMDb
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