Following the Indian Army's "Operation Sindoor," a series of targeted strikes against terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), prominent Bollywood figures Ayushmann Khurrana and Kamal Haasan have voiced their support for the military action. The operation, launched in response to the deadly April 22 attack on tourists in Pahalgam, which resulted in the death of 26 people, has drawn widespread reactions from across the nation.
Ayushmann Khurrana, known for his roles in socially conscious films, firmly stated his stance against terrorism, declaring, "Terrorism has no place in this world". The actor shared his message on Instagram, accompanied by an icon of the Indian tricolor and an image with "Operation Sindoor" written in bold, demonstrating his solidarity with the armed forces.
Kamal Haasan, a veteran actor and filmmaker, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing national unity and resolve. "A proud India stands united with its armed forces," Haasan stated. "This is the resolute response of a strong nation that will not be divided by cowardly acts of terror. I applaud the decisive and strategic military action taken by the Government of India. Jai Hind".
Operation Sindoor, executed by the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, targeted nine key terror infrastructure sites across Pakistan and PoK. The coordinated strikes, utilizing precision munitions, aimed to dismantle terrorist networks responsible for planning and executing attacks against India. The targeted locations included Muridke, Bahawalpur, Kotli, and Muzaffarabad, known for housing terror networks. India has said that the strikes were a response to the Pahalgam attack. The Resistance Front (TRF), which demands independence for Kashmir, claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack. India claims that the TRF is an offshoot of Pakistan-based armed group, the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
The strikes have elicited diverse reactions internationally. While some countries have urged restraint and de-escalation, others have expressed support for India's right to self-defense. The United States, Japan, and the UAE, along with the UN, have called for restraint, while Israel has supported India's right to self-defense. China has condemned the strikes and called for calm.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh asserted that the operation was a display of India's strength and resolve in combating terrorism. He said that the targets were hit exactly as planned and that the soldiers made sure that no civilians were harmed. Home Minister Amit Shah stated that Operation Sindoor was a befitting reply to those who challenge India's borders and citizens.
The strikes have also resonated with families of the victims of the Pahalgam attack. The wife of Shubham Dwivedi, who was killed in the attack, thanked Prime Minister Modi for "taking revenge" for her husband's death, calling it a "real tribute".
Several leading voices from South Indian cinema have also stepped forward to salute the Indian Armed Forces for their decisive action against terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Dhanush wrote on X, "Our country stands united against terror...Proud of our armed forces...Jai hind". Ajay Devgn thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian forces. Suniel Shetty shared, "Terror has no place. Zero Tolerance. Total Justice #OperationSindoor". Vivek Oberoi wrote on social media, "Terror shall not prevail, India's spirit and power shall keep rising to reclaim the light and ensure such darkness never again stains our sacred soil. The world must stand united against the evil of terror. Let's not fall prey to propaganda that tries to divide us, this is not a war against any religion or nation, it's a war against terror”.
Operation Sindoor has brought the Indian film fraternity and the nation together in expressing solidarity with the armed forces and condemning terrorism. The support from celebrities like Ayushmann Khurrana and Kamal Haasan underscores the unified stance against terrorism and the unwavering support for the security forces in safeguarding the nation.
