Sharam Karo, War Is On’: Netizens, Politicians Slam Filmmakers for Announcing ‘Operation Sindoor’ Amid India-Pakistan Conflict

Mumbai, May 10: Amid escalating tensions and ongoing hostilities between India and Pakistan, the announcement of a new film titled Operation Sindoor has sparked a wave of public outrage on social media. Directed by Uttam Maheshwari and Nitin Kumar Gupta, the project is being produced by Nicky Vicky Bhagnani Films and The Content Engineer.

The movie was announced via an Instagram post by celebrity photographer Viral Bhayani’s page, featuring a first-look poster that reportedly depicts a female army officer. The caption called it “India’s bravest strike based film,” triggering an immediate backlash from netizens who criticized the timing of the announcement.

One user commented, “Sharam karo yaar, war is on,” while another wrote, “Milking an ongoing war, with an AI-generated poster. This is as dystopian as it gets.” Accusations of profiteering and insensitivity have flooded the comments sections of several social media platforms.

The controversy intensified further when Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi criticized the film industry over the announcement. Sharing a screenshot of the film’s promotional post, she tweeted, “Shameless vultures,” echoing the public sentiment that the announcement is both premature and exploitative.

While reports suggest that multiple filmmakers had already registered the title Operation Sindoor, it is still unclear which production will ultimately retain the rights. The cast of the movie has not been officially revealed, although the poster has led to speculation that it might be a woman-centric narrative, potentially inspired by real-life Indian military officers like Colonel Sofiya Qureshi or Wing Commander Vyomika Singh.

The incident has reignited a broader debate around ethics in the film industry, particularly concerning projects based on national tragedies or ongoing crises. Critics argue that filmmakers should exercise restraint and sensitivity, especially during times of national distress.

As the conflict continues and sentiments remain high, it is yet to be seen whether the makers of Operation Sindoor will proceed with the project as planned or reconsider in light of public and political backlash.