'Operation Sindoor': Bollywood Producers Rush to Register Military Mission Name As Film Title

A day after the Indian Armed Forces launched 'Operation Sindoor', the name for the military attack on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Bollywood producers are scrambling to get the title registered under their banners.

Industry sources have told The Hollywood Reporter India that more than 15 producers have applied for the title Operation Sindoor across formats, along with several versions of it, including Mission Sindoor and Badla Sindoor, among others.

Anil Nagrath, Secretary of the Indian Motion Picture Producers' Association (IMPPA), said they have been flooded with applicants to register the title.

"This happens every time a big, national event takes place, such as Uri. There have been over 15 to 20 producers who have applied for the title so far under various variants of the same name. The first one to apply will ultimately get it," Nagrath told THR India.

Sources have revealed that producer Mahaveer Jain, filmmakers Ashoke Pandit, Madhur Bhandarkar and banners such as T-Series and Zee Studios have also applied for the title for a potential project.

Pandit, a Kashmiri Pandit himself, said he "deeply resonated" with the title and registered it the morning when India carried out precision strikes on terror camps.

"The title evokes goosebumps and resonates emotionally. I was awake when the attacks were carried out and I knew I'd register it the same morning, which is what I did. The title 'Operation Sindoor' is laced with history, what our country has faced, and its response to terrorism. Everyone is hooked to it," Pandit told THR India.

Several Indian film stars had lauded Operation Sindoor, which took place days after the Pahalgam terrorist attack. Stars like Rajinikanth, Chiranjeevi, Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty, among others, reacted to the operation conducted by the armed forces.

But there is a catch.

Unlike regular Bollywood titles, Operation Sindoor is a name coined by the Indian government and the Armed Forces, which means it will have to go through official channels even if one bags the title.

"The makers would have to get official permission in place if they plan to turn this into a film or a series," BN Tiwari, President of Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), told THR India.

"It is an emotional title, but it is also now a deeply political, national title. The sentiments attached are humongous because the entire nation is now aware of it. Naturally, this will have to be vetted very diligently and only then can one proceed—even if they get clearing to use Operation Sindoor," Tiwari added.

But how does one even get a title?

Not everyone who applies for registration of a title gets clearance, as the discussion goes through its own process and ultimately is tabled in front of a committee for the final decision.

For the approval, four prominent producers' bodies are involved: The IMPPA, Western India Film Producers' Association (WIFPA), Indian Film & TV Producers Council (IFTPC) — led by filmmaker Sajid Nadiadwala — and the Producers Guild of India.

The members of their respective associations apply for clearance accordingly for a nominal fee, which changes depending on whether the applicant applies for the said title across all formats (web series, short films, TV and feature films) and languages.

After this, the associations register the exact time and name of the applicant. Since everything is computerised, the producers' bodies then work in tandem and exchange relevant information.

"The title then goes to a committee that examines who registered it first, if all formalities were checked, and who wants to make it in which format and languages. Once it is clear, the maker then bags the rights. The process is transparent, there is no cheating or partiality there," Pandit added.