Post by : Jyoti Gupta

Photo:AFP

After a brief but deadly four-day clash between India and Pakistan that left more than 70 people dead, a new wave of patriotic cinema is emerging in India. Some film producers and directors are rushing to lock in movie titles inspired by the military action, seeing a chance to tap into public emotion and national pride.

The military operation, called "Operation Sindoor", was launched by India in May after a deadly attack on tourists in the town of Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir. India blamed Pakistan for the incident, and tensions quickly turned into an exchange of artillery, drone, and air strikes between the two nuclear-armed nations.

Surprisingly, the fighting stopped when the United States stepped in, and a sudden ceasefire was announced. The international intervention halted the violence, but not before it left a deep impression on the country. The name "Sindoor" — referring to the red powder worn by married Hindu women — was chosen as a symbol of vengeance for those widowed in the Pahalgam tragedy.

Now, several Bollywood filmmakers are moving quickly to create films based on these events. Titles like “Mission Sindoor,” “Sindoor: The Revenge,” “The Pahalgam Terror,” and “Sindoor Operation” have already been registered. These projects aim to dramatize the conflict and present stories of courage, sacrifice, and retaliation.

Director Vivek Agnihotri, known for his past work on politically charged films, believes the recent events are powerful enough to be made into multiple movies. He argues that audiences are curious about what really happened behind the scenes. He compares the situation to Hollywood, which often creates war dramas and action films based on real military events.

This move by Bollywood is not new. Films based on national conflicts or historical pride have often been released around national holidays like Independence Day and Republic Day. These days are known to boost feelings of patriotism among the public, which helps in drawing large audiences to theatres.

One recent example is the action film "Fighter", starring popular actors Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone. It was released a day before Republic Day and drew inspiration from India's 2019 air strike on Balakot, a city in Pakistan. Although the film was fictional, its themes and visuals clearly echoed real-life military operations. The movie earned around $28 million, becoming one of the top-grossing films of the year.
But not everyone in the film industry supports this trend.

Director Anil Sharma, known for patriotic blockbusters like Gadar, says that cinema should come from the heart, not just from headlines. He feels some producers are only chasing current events to make quick profits. “A good story should move you emotionally. It shouldn’t just be made because something big happened recently,” he said.
Other voices in the industry are raising concerns too. Film critic and writer Raja Sen says that many of these films push one-sided political ideas and create a sense of bias, especially against Muslims. He argues that cinema should not be used to spread division or misinformation. “If we only allow one version of the story to be told, it becomes propaganda,” he warned.

This concern comes at a time when some popular films in India are being criticized for portraying Muslim historical figures as villains. One of this year’s highest-earning movies, Chhaava, which tells the story of a Maratha warrior king, faced backlash for promoting anti-Muslim themes.

Raja Sen believes that when filmmakers avoid telling stories that challenge those in power, it creates a dangerous imbalance. The audience ends up seeing only one side of the truth.

Well-known director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, who made Rang De Basanti — a film about youth activism and patriotism — believes that true love for the nation lies in promoting peace, not war. “We should ask ourselves: how can we build a better society? How can we learn to live with our neighbors? That is what patriotism really means,” he said.

Meanwhile, the rush to make films on the recent conflict continues. It’s clear that Bollywood sees national pride as both an emotional trigger and a business opportunity. As movie studios plan their releases around key national dates, the line between art, business, and politics continues to blur.