By Fighter Story: Amid a militant attack in Kashmir, India’s top combat aviators unite to form Air Dragons. The narrative unfolds their bravery in safeguarding the nation, emphasizing camaraderie, team spirit, and a top fighter pilot’s journey towards redemption after a past incident.
Fighter Review: Released during India’s Republic Day celebration, Siddharth Anand’s film embodies the essence of a patriotic action thriller. Exceptional aerial stunts executed skillfully by the cast keep the audience on the edge of their seats. The film kicks off with Sukhoi planes performing daring maneuvers, introducing the audience to the elite squad, the Air Dragons.
The team consists of Meenal Rathore, aka Minnie (Deepika Padukone), Shamsher Pathania, or Patty (Hrithik Roshan), Taj (Karan Singh Oberoi), and Basheer (Akshay Oberoi), with Rakesh ‘Rocky’ Jay Singh (Anil Kapoor) as their commander. The palpable tension between Rocky and Patty, along with references to a tragic past incident, sets the stage for a mix of drama and thrill.
Exceptional Aerial Action: Elevating a Conventional Narrative
Director Siddharth Anand, known for action-packed entertainers, delivers slick sequences and gripping cockpit drama. The action directors Se-yeong Oh, Parvez Shaikh, and Sunil Rodrigues skillfully capture the audience’s attention with exhilarating stunts and fight choreography from beginning to end. Cinematographer Satchith Paulose deserves applause for bringing gravity to the film’s visuals, whether in the mountains, over the valleys, or on the airbases. However, the film’s reliance on predictable tracks and cliches detracts from its appeal at various narrative points. The storyline falls back on familiar tropes, featuring a menacing Pakistani militant on a mission to destroy India and the Air Dragons stepping in to save the day. The film also incorporates lines emphasizing the true meaning of religion and patriotism, themes that have been explored in similar ways before.
Despite the familiar premise, songs, backstories, and romance appear more as distractions than contributors to the story’s progression. The theme of patriarchy and a woman breaking the glass ceiling in a male-dominated space feels somewhat forced. These elements contribute to uneven pacing in the film, with the second half slowing down until the climax. However, when the real action begins, the audience is sure to be hooked.
Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone deliver peak performances. Hrithik excels as a confident and rebellious squadron leader, and the duo’s on-screen chemistry is palpable, shining in emotional scenes. Anil Kapoor remains as dependable as ever, perfectly capturing the nuances of his role. Karan Singh Oberoi and Akshay Oberoi also hold their ground among these seasoned actors. Rishabh Sawhney portrays the antagonist, Azhar Akhtar, with sincerity, though falling slightly short of the dreadfulness his character demands.
The tactical scenarios showcasing the Indian Air Force’s strategic brilliance against the Pakistani defense contribute to the film’s thrill, making it more appealing. While ‘Fighter’ doesn’t inject much novelty into its plot and narrative, it proves engaging, especially for action enthusiasts who will find themselves impressed by the killer aerial combat sequences.
