In the early hours of Wednesday, Indian Armed Forces conducted strikes on several locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir under ‘Operation Sindoor’ in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. The next day, reports emerged of Bollywood producers trying to get the title and its variations under their banner.
Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA) Secretary, Anil Nagrath, told The Quint, “Any time such incidents or events happen, there are people who want to register the title. After all, a filmmaker is making a film only based on what he is watching around his world. And a situation like this really inspires a lot of people like in the case of Uri.”
When asked if he saw a similar frenzy for title registration during the Uri and Balakot strikes, Nagrath said, “(It was the) same. We saw this even during the Kedarnath floods. Any major event which takes place, any major thing, the producers are inspired by it because it is on the TV all the time. But it is not a guarantee for success.”
Applications Sent in for Titles Like ‘Mission Sindoor’, ‘Operation Sindoor’, ‘Sindoor Ek Jung'
“10-12 people have applied for the same title -- Operation Sindoor. People have also applied for variations of the title like ‘Mission Sindoor’.”Anil Nagrath, Secretary IMPPA
Sources close to The Quint claimed that variations like ‘Sindoor Ka Badla’, ‘Sindoor Ka Karz’, ‘Sindoor Ka Farz’, and ‘Sindoor Ek Jung’ have also been sent in.
Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) was also among the names who sought a trademark registration for 'Operation Sindoor'.
However, in a statement released on Thursday (8 May), the company said, “Jio Studios, a unit of Reliance Industries, has withdrawn its trademark application, which was filed inadvertently by a junior person without authorisation," adding,
"Reliance Industries has no intention of trademarking Operation Sindoor, a phrase which is now a part of the national consciousness as an evocative symbol of Indian bravery."
Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit, for instance, confirmed that he has applied for the title ‘Operation Sindoor’, adding that the approval process will ‘take time’.
“The entire industry has basically reacted to it,” Pandit told The Quint, “It's the country which comes first. So if the country is facing any issue, everybody stands by it and that has inspired us; we should pay a tribute to our armed forces, our government, and the victims who have suffered because of this.”
The Pahalgam terror attack killed 25 Indian citizens and one Nepali national.
Pandit claimed that 30-35 producers have sent in their titles, adding, “It's very natural. Our country has produced brilliant war movies, whether it was ‘Haqeeqat’ or (films by) JP Dutta. We have great filmmakers who are really masters in making war movies.”
The 1964 film Haqeeqat was based on the events of the 1962 Sino-Indian war and filmmaker JP Dutta had directed the 1997 film Border based on the Battle of Longewala during the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971.
“When such things happen and you get excited with the title and with the concept of the subject, it's very natural that the makers or creative people will jump on it. It’s a creative kick which one gets, whether it's a director or a producer. And the first step is that you should have a title with you. Tomorrow, if I don't get the title, then there's no point in even thinking on those lines.”Ashoke Pandit, Filmmaker
‘Every Producer Must Have at Least 40-50 Titles Registered’: Ashoke Pandit
Pandit further mentioned that there are a ‘lot of experiences in one’s life, whether it’s a director or a producer’ and if inspiration strikes, they move to register the title immediately.
“People have found out now because of Operation Sindoor but every producer must have registered at least 40-50 titles with him. So, if I'm moving on the road and while driving I see some interesting thing on a wall and I think it's a good title for a film, I go and immediately apply for it.”Ashoke Pandit, Filmmaker
“Normally, we get good titles from newspapers. It's a very natural instinct. Suppose it's a crime-based story and you give a good headline to it, it inspires me to go and register this title,” the filmmaker added.
How Does One Register a Title?
To register a title, a member can go to IMPPA’s website (imppa.info) and download a printable application form or get a hard copy of the same from their office. Once the form is accurately filled in and the payment is either sent in online or completed in person, the application is accepted, Nagrath explained.
“There are conditions like nobody can announce it till it is registered. When the application comes to us in IMPPA, either by email or by hard copy, we send a list of the names received to the four other associations in Bombay and 20+ associations all over India,” Nagrath added.
There are four major producers’ associations in India, namely IMPPA, the Producers Guild of India, the Indian Film & TV Producers Council (IFTPC), and the Western India Film Producers' Association (WISPA), where people can register as well.
Pandit, who is also the President of the Indian Film & Television Directors' Association (IFTDA), provided further insight, “When I am the member of a particular association, I apply my title to my association where there are two categories – emergency and normal. This list of titles, of all the titles which have come to my association, is sent to other bodies and they send their titles to us.”
Nagrath informed that the bodies are then allowed to send in their objections after which the available titles are sent in to a committee that examines them. The application that came in first is considered for the grant and other title applicants can either stay in the waiting list in case the first applicant doesn’t make it or they can ask for a refund of their money.
“The system is very clear; the one who has applied first will be given preference and he will be getting the title."Anil Nagrath, Secretary IMPPA
"If he doesn't make the film for three years, the title is available for the next available applicant. And meanwhile, if you know the person, you can talk to him and ask him to surrender.”