In the hustle of cinematic releases, ‘Fighter’, with its high-flying action sequences and a star-studded cast including Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone, was anticipated to soar at the box office following its release on January 25. Directed by Siddharth Anand, known for blockbuster successes like ‘War’ and ‘Pathaan’, the film initially showed strong box office performance. However, it began experiencing a noticeable decline in revenues starting from its first Monday in cinemas.
Released exactly a year after the phenomenon of ‘Pathaan’, which starred the charismatic Shah Rukh Khan, ‘Fighter’ faced immense expectations to replicate its predecessor’s spectacular success. Nevertheless, the film seemed to falter in casting the same spell on audiences and revenues paled in comparison to those of ‘Pathaan’.
Amidst box office turbulence, discussions around ‘Fighter’ took a pointed turn on social media platforms. Observers hastily drew parallels between Anand’s aerial action flick and the Hollywood classic ‘Top Gun’. In a comprehensive interview with Gallata Plus, the filmmaker addressed these comparisons head-on.
Anand elucidated that while cinema globally may take cues from existing works of film, the current trend has been to hastily label any influence from Western cinema as inferior imitation. “Yes, we have had instances of taking inspiration blatantly from other films. Anything that you do now is (considered) a cheap copy of it (Hollywood movies),” he lamented, voicing his dismay over the diminishing respect for original Indian cinema among audiences.
The director argued that the narrow focus on ‘Fighter’s’ theme involving fighter jets triggered the immediate, albeit superficial, association with ‘Top Gun’. According to Anand, a discerning look at ‘Fighter’s’ trailer would clarify that any resemblance to the ‘Top Gun’ ends at the shared backdrop of military aviation, nothing more.
“But the only reference point is ‘Top Gun,’ so they’ll say that ‘oh they have copied ‘Top Gun.’’ It’s all social media chatter, which is really out there to put your work down, and negativity gets a lot of traction,” Anand contended. He further expounded on the dynamics of social media attention, observing that provocative negative comments tend to generate more engagement and discussion, incentivizing individuals to disparage others’ work for the sake of visibility.
Having navigated the realms of social media before, the director has witnessed firsthand how criticism and derogatory remarks often overshadow praise and constructive discourse, reflecting a broader cultural predilection for sensationalism over nuanced appreciation.
Despite these challenges, ‘Fighter’ achieved an impressive opening, grossing Rs 24 crore on its inaugural day, reflecting the drawing power of its lead actors and the buzz generated by its pre-release marketing. The star power, however, did not sustain the momentum in subsequent days as indicated by the considerable drop in Monday’s box office takings, which clocked in at Rs 7 crore.
Beyond its lead duo, Hrithik and Deepika, ‘Fighter’ boasts a solid ensemble cast including stalwarts like Anil Kapoor and emerging talents Karan Singh Grover, Akshay Oberoi, and Sanjeeda Shaikh, all playing pivotal roles across the sprawling storyline.
Siddharth Anand’s candor about the perceived ‘Fighter’ and ‘Top Gun’ comparison elucidates the filmmaker’s firm stance on preserving the integrity and appreciation of homegrown cinematic art. As the Indian film industry continues to evolve and assert its prowess on the global stage, Anand’s perspective reinforces the need for audiences to reevaluate and appreciate the originality and creativity within the domain of Indian filmmaking, beyond the shadow of its Hollywood counterparts.
