‘Operation Sindoor’ movie announcement sparks backlash, director points apology

Sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik creates a sand artwork to have fun the success of ‘Operation Sindoor’, at Puri Seashore in Puri on Thursday. Picture used for illustration solely.
| Photograph Credit score: ANI

The announcement of a movie primarily based on Operation Sindoor, India’s latest army strikes in Pakistan, has sparked a serious controversy and backlash, prompting the director to concern an apology.

Observe the Operation Sindoor updates – Could 10, 2025

The movie, titled “Operation Sindoor”, was introduced on Friday (Could 9, 2025) evening by director Uttam Maheshwari on social media. The mission might be produced by Nicky Vicky Bhagnani Movies and The Content material Engineer.

The makers additionally shared a poster which featured a lady soldier carrying fight gear and holding a weapon. She is seen making use of sindoor, the pink vermillion worn by married Hindu girls, to her hair parting.

The scene is ready in a battlefield with explosions, barbed wire, army tanks, and fighter jets.

India carried out the focused strikes on terror websites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir early Wednesday below ‘Operation Sindoor’, two weeks after the bloodbath of 26 folks, largely vacationers, in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam.

The announcement of the film confronted backlash, with many social media customers criticising its timing.

“Sharam karo yaar, struggle is on. (Have some disgrace),” stated one consumer.

One other individual wrote, “‘Sindoor’ or ‘Operation Sindoor’ shouldn’t be commercialised by companies or the movie business (to make a film in that title!) for revenue. Legally, it could be allowed—however morally, it’s fallacious. Some issues deserve respect, not an opportunity to money in..” “Cease embarrassing your self and your nation,” learn one publish.

“That is so inappropriate and uncalled for,” one consumer posted. One consumer criticised the movie’s group, saying that it ought to be boycotted.

“They will stoop to such ranges of shame and disrespect for the nation and our armed forces troopers’ who’re on the frontline sacrificing their sweat and blood. At this hour of disaster it Wasn’t required in any respect!!!!” the publish added.

Following the criticism, Maheshwari, whose previous work as a filmmaker isn’t identified, issued an apology on his Instagram Tales.

“My honest apologies for just lately asserting a movie primarily based on Operation Sindoor, impressed by the latest heroic efforts of our Indian Armed Forces. The intent was by no means to harm or provoke anybody’s sentiments.

“As a filmmaker, I used to be moved by the braveness, sacrifice, and energy of our troopers and management, and easily wished to carry this highly effective story to gentle. This mission was born out of deep respect and love for our nation and never for fame and monetisation,” he wrote.

Mr. Maheshwari stated he’s conscious that the timing of the film might have triggered “discomfort or ache to some”.

“For that, I deeply remorse. This isn’t only a movie, it is an emotion of all the nation and a social picture of the nation globally,” he stated, whereas thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“Our love and prayers will at all times be with the households of the martyrs in addition to the Bravo warriors who’re preventing on the border day and evening to provide us a brand new morning.

Jai Hind! Jai Bharat!” he concluded the assertion.

Because the army strikes, Bollywood filmmakers and actors are scrambling to safe movie titles impressed by the occasion.

Inside simply two days, over 30 title purposes, together with names like “Operation Sindoor”, “Mission Sindoor” and “Sindoor: The Revenge”, had been submitted to business our bodies Indian Movement Image Producers Affiliation (IMPPA), Indian Movie and Tv Producers Council (IFTPC) and Western India Movie Producers’ Affiliation (WIFPA).