In the realms of high skies and exhilarating aerial maneuvers, Siddharth Anand’s latest film “Fighter” pierces through the clouds, commanding attention with its homage to the valor and spirit of the Indian Air Force. The cinematic piece enlists a stellar cast including Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone, Anil Kapoor, Karan Singh Grover, and Akshay Oberoi, all of whom bring to life a tale of courage, sacrifice, and national pride with a 3.5-star rating.
The narrative of “Fighter” unfolds with a chilling message from a young boy affiliated with Jaish-e-Mohammed, foreboding a grim scenario for the Indian Air Force based in Jammu and Kashmir. Enter the ‘Air Dragons’, an elite squadron composed of the finest pilots in the country, including the fearless and risk-loving Daredevil officer Squadron Leader Shamsher Pathania, played by Hrithik Roshan (aka Patty). Alongside him is Squadron Leader Minal Rathore, embodied by Deepika Padukone (aka Mimi), the sole woman in the corps, with comrades Taj (Karan Singh Grover) and Bash (Akshay Oberoi) at her flank, all under the guidance of their commander Rakesh Jaisingh, portrayed by Anil Kapoor (aka Rocky).
The tranquility of their vigilance is shattered when a convoy of Indian security personnel becomes the target of a devastating attack in Pulwama, orchestrated by the nefarious Azhar Akhtar, a terrorist responsible for past atrocities stretching from Istanbul and Kabul to the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, chillingly promising destruction of the land by its own people.
This backdrop sets the stage for a cinematic journey that, while paying respects to the Indian Air Force, draws unmistakable parallels to Tom Cruise’s iconic 1986 film “Top Gun”. There is a discernible kinship between the character arcs of ‘Maverick’ and Patty – two men contending with the weight of their pasts, lone wolves who excel in their field yet butt heads with higher-ups over protocol, particularly in combustible exchanges between Patty and Rocky, with Rocky prophesying the ruination that ego could spell for them both.
The echoes of “Top Gun” and “Maverick” resonate throughout the film, from aerial dog fights to Patty’s reassignment from Air Warriors to a different base as an instructor. Yet, despite the shared motifs, “Fighter” is steeped in a fervent patriotic ethos that takes flight in its celebration of India’s armed forces, a tribute many feel has been long overdue. The film is unapologetically high-octane, unabashed in its dramatization, and does not falter in delivering a full-throttle experience, despite a tendency towards camp.
Where the film truly finds its wings is in Hrithik Roshan’s performance. Commanding the screen, Roshan is the backbone of “Fighter”, fully embodying the charisma and dedication of a soldier devoted to his cause. Deepika Padukone’s portrayal of Minal Rathore is equally commanding, shattering glass ceilings within the narrative world as her character exemplifies the dismantling of gender-based ability assumptions within the Indian Forces. Their story of camaraderie, which touches on romance, though not entirely convincing and at times overshadowed by unnecessary musical interludes, adds another layer to their characters’ complexity.
Landing with the poise of a jet on a precision approach, “Fighter” conveys its robust message of nationalism even as it harks back to its cinematic ancestor. It’s a smooth blend of action and homage that inevitably aligns itself with the likes of “Top Gun”, yet stands out with its unique palate of intensity and cultural esteem. Hrithik Roshan’s and Deepika Padukone’s performances set this film apart, ensuring that even with familiar echoes, it charts its own course in the firmament of Indian cinema. As a result, “Fighter” not only succeeds in its mission to entertain but also in uplifting the national spirit, much like the real-life heroes it seeks to honor.
