Smriti Irani Slams Bollywood’s Silence on Operation Sindoor, Urges Citizens to Boycott Hypocrites
Smriti Irani slams Bollywood’s silence over Operation Sindoor, urging Indians to boycott celebrities who stay mute during national triumphs.
NewsSutra
Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smriti Irani, has ignited a storm of debate across India’s political and entertainment landscapes after calling out the Bollywood film industry for its conspicuous silence on Operation Sindoor, India’s most recent and successful counter-terror operation carried out along the northern borders.
Speaking at a press event in the capital on Tuesday afternoon, Irani didn’t mince words. The former television star-turned-politician lambasted prominent actors, filmmakers, and producers for failing to publicly acknowledge the bravery and sacrifice of Indian soldiers during the covert military action.
“If it hurts you, don’t watch them,” she said, referring to Bollywood personalities who, according to her, are quick to criticize the Indian state but go mute when the armed forces deserve commendation.
The comment has reverberated across political corridors, social media platforms, and media houses alike, raising critical questions about Bollywood’s political neutrality, selective activism, and the role of public figures in shaping national sentiment.
What Was Operation Sindoor?
Operation Sindoor, carried out over the weekend, was a classified counter-terror mission led by India’s elite para commandos. Though full details remain under wraps for national security reasons, officials have confirmed that the operation neutralized multiple high-profile insurgents operating in border regions in Jammu & Kashmir and thwarted a large-scale infiltration plot allegedly planned for Independence Day.
According to defense insiders, the mission was one of the most sophisticated tactical offensives undertaken in the past two years, involving coordination between ground troops, surveillance drones, and RAW intelligence units. It reportedly averted a potential attack on civilian populations and infrastructure.
While top government officials, including the Prime Minister and Defense Minister, publicly praised the armed forces for their precision and bravery, Bollywood’s near-universal silence on the issue did not go unnoticed—especially by Irani.
Smriti Irani's Strong Words: A Closer Look
Irani’s statement comes not just as a government minister but also as a cultural insider. Having spent years in the television and film industry, she is uniquely positioned to critique the entertainment fraternity. Her comments were directed at what she described as a “pattern of selective empathy” within Bollywood.
“You show up for photo ops when it suits your image. But when it comes to backing the nation’s forces—those who protect your right to speak—you vanish into silence,” she said.
Irani made it clear that this wasn't about patriotism being performative, but rather about accountability for influential voices that shape youth opinion and national discourse.
Bollywood's History of Mixed Responses to National Security
This is not the first time the Indian film industry has found itself at the receiving end of criticism for staying silent during significant national events. While many Bollywood actors have supported social causes such as mental health, LGBTQ+ rights, and gender equality, they have often been accused of tiptoeing around politically sensitive issues, especially those involving India’s armed forces.
In the aftermath of the Pulwama attack in 2019, several stars—including Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, and Kangana Ranaut—publicly condemned the terror strike and lauded the Indian Army. However, critics have pointed out that over the years, such reactions have become fewer and far between, especially from top-tier actors and big production houses.
Following Irani’s comments, many social media users echoed her sentiments, accusing Bollywood of practicing “activism for optics” and remaining conveniently neutral in times of national importance.
Muted Responses and Rising Public Disillusionment
While a handful of smaller actors and regional celebrities posted cryptic or indirect messages of support for Operation Sindoor, Bollywood’s leading names remained largely inactive. No official statements, tweets, or Instagram posts were made by the likes of Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt, or Ranveer Singh—all of whom boast tens of millions of followers.
This lack of engagement has led to widespread public backlash, with hashtags like #BoycottBollywood and #SupportOurForces trending on Indian social media platforms since Irani’s statement.
Citizens across the country have begun questioning why celebrities who profit from nationalistic films such as Uri: The Surgical Strike or Shershaah remain noticeably silent when real-life events demand public solidarity.
Irani’s Warning: “You Don’t Deserve Our Attention”
In the same press conference, Irani gave a stern message to the public. She urged Indian citizens to hold public figures accountable, stating that the only power people truly have is where they spend their time and money.
“If an actor, singer, or director cannot stand up for the country in its moment of triumph, then perhaps they don’t deserve your attention or your admiration,” she said.
The minister’s words have been interpreted by many as a call to boycott Bollywood’s hypocritical elite, who she believes are out of touch with the common citizen and driven solely by brand image and overseas earnings.
Voices in Support and Dissent
Not all in Bollywood remained silent in response to Irani’s remarks. Actor Randeep Hooda and filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri came out in support of the Indian forces and endorsed Irani’s stance. Hooda, known for his candid political views, tweeted: “Pride in the uniform is not a political statement. It’s a human one.”
Conversely, some members of the film fraternity have privately expressed concerns that publicly aligning with government-led operations may lead to being typecast or alienated by international production companies, especially in the post-pandemic global market where ideological sensitivities are high.
A few insiders claimed that the lack of response may be due to fear of inadvertently politicizing the armed forces, which have always been seen as apolitical and beyond party lines.
Where Does Bollywood Go from Here?
Smriti Irani’s comments may have pulled back the curtain on a much larger issue within the entertainment ecosystem—one that struggles with balancing social responsibility, political neutrality, and brand-consciousness.
At a time when cinema is more global than ever, and Indian stars are collaborating with Western studios, the pressure to avoid controversy seems to have paralyzed the industry’s moral voice.
However, public perception is shifting. With national sentiment running high and younger audiences increasingly aware of social accountability, silence is no longer seen as neutrality—it’s viewed as cowardice or complicity.
Conclusion
Smriti Irani’s bold critique of Bollywood’s silence on Operation Sindoor is more than a political soundbite. It’s a reflection of growing public discontent with cultural icons who pick and choose their causes based on convenience, optics, and market value.
As India’s armed forces continue to defend the nation—often at great personal cost—many citizens are now demanding the same courage from their entertainers that they so often portray on-screen.
Whether Bollywood heeds this wake-up call or retreats further into selective activism remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the era of silence may no longer be safe.
