'India never forgets': Shahid Kapoor's bold post on Operation Sindoor goes viral, later deleted

Bollywood star Shahid Kapoor, on Wednesday, briefly shared his support for India’s recent military action—Operation Sindoor—aimed at eliminating terror hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir. Joining a host of Indian celebrities who expressed admiration for the Indian Armed Forces and the central government, Kapoor took to Instagram with a patriotic post. However, shortly after posting, he removed part of his statement and disabled the comment section, sparking curiosity among fans and followers.

Initially, the actor shared a powerful image of an Indian Air Force aircraft on his Instagram feed. In the caption, he wrote, “India doesn’t provoke. But India never forgets,” ending with the hashtag #OperationSindoor and an Indian flag emoji. The statement, though brief, carried a strong nationalistic sentiment and was quickly picked up by fans and media alike. However, not long after posting, Kapoor edited the caption, erasing the quote entirely and leaving the image without any accompanying text. The move puzzled his followers, who were left wondering about the sudden shift in tone and the reason behind the deleted message.

Kapoor, known for his impactful roles in films such as Jab We Met, Haider, and Kabir Singh, has typically maintained a balanced public image, steering clear of polarizing political commentary. His initial message was seen as a rare and bold statement, making its quiet withdrawal even more notable.

The backdrop to Kapoor’s post is India's high-stakes military operation conducted in the early hours of Wednesday. Named Operation Sindoor, the mission was a strategic joint offensive by the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force. In a swift 25-minute assault, the forces destroyed nine terror facilities, neutralizing more than 80 terrorists affiliated with notorious groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Hizbul Mujahideen. The government described the strikes as a direct response to the horrific Pahalgam attack that took place on April 22, where 26 civilians, including tourists and a foreign national, lost their lives.

Operation Sindoor has received widespread attention both in the media and across social platforms, drawing patriotic responses from many public figures. While most messages have remained visible and firm in their tone, Kapoor’s subtle retraction stands out—raising questions about the pressures celebrities may face when navigating national events and public opinion.

As of now, the altered Instagram post remains on Kapoor’s profile, serving as a quiet yet telling footnote to a day marked by military action and nationalistic fervor.