Fighter
- -As India faces a militant attack in Kashmir, the country’s best combat aviators join forces under a reckless yet brilliant squadron leader to form 'Air Dragons', faces mortal dangers and their inner demons.
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Siddharth Anand’s Fighter is a high-octane Bollywood military drama infused with patriotism and edge-of-the-seat action sequences. As it was strategically timed for release around Republic Day of India, the movie strikes just the right chord with the audience, drawing heavy inspiration from Top Gun: Maverick of Hollywood and yet firmly situated in the context of contemporary Indian geopolitics.
The story of Fighter has to be seen intrinsically with the after-effects of the 2019 Pulwama attack. A significant real-life tragedy has presented itself before the audience—something all look for resolutions to, and on that base, it unrolls a gripping drama interwoven with personal loss and national pride. Hrithik Roshan infuses the character of IAF pilot Shamsher “Patty” Pathania with oodles of charm and that streak of a maverick. Moved by some inner urge to see justice, he walks the tightrope of military duty.
This is an aesthetically beautiful film. Some of the aerial combats drawn out in the film are stunningly choreographed to reflect the finesse and intensity of modern warfare. The dogfights are Top Gun-like, but infused with a distinctly Indian flavor that sets Fighter apart. Such sequences, amplified by state-of-the-art CGI, make sure one is nailed to the seat, the heart thudding in anticipation.
Deepika Padukone plays the female lead, Roshan’s love interest, and fellow pilot, doing a much more measured performance. Her character is often sidelined by Roshan’s dominating presence. But she does come alive in the romantic interludes, bringing an emotional depth to the film, which it does need, especially in reminding us about the personal sacrifices in donning that uniform.
That is fleshed out with a heavyweight ensemble cast, led by Anil Kapoor as the principled, no-nonsense Group Captain Rakesh “Rocky” Jai Singh. There is nuance and heft that Kapoor brings to the role of a hardened officer who often locks horns with Patty but later becomes his mentor. Much of this film’s real emotional core is its driven building, through camaraderie and tension, between two characters during the culminated, breathtaking final mission that really pushes both of them to their limit.
One admirable thing about Fighter is how it knows when to balance high energy from the action with a need for introspection. Since it was scripted for the first time, it never took a step back in highlighting the whole dilemma involved in modern warfare and moral dilemmas for soldiers due to blurred lines between what is right and what is wrong. It was in unwavering nationalism that Fighter really displayed such a great quality. The film becomes an unfettered celebration of the Indian Armed Forces as the last bastion that protects the sovereignty of the nation.
Fighter is a technical marvel, too. Benjamin Jasper’s cinematography does brilliant justice to the beauty of the Indian landscape—from the serene beauty of Kashmir to the stark deserts of Rajasthan. Complementing the narrative to a T is the soundtrack by Vishal-Shekhar, with rousing anthems that evoke a sense of pride and unity.
Though staunchly formulaic, the film does succeed in entertaining and inspiring. The mix of romance, action, and patriotism is a time-tested Bollywood recipe for success, which Anand has pulled off brilliantly. There are hardly any plot surprises, but the flawless execution makes Fighter a must-watch.
Basically, Fighter is a homage to the indefatigable spirit of India and its valiant warriors; it’s way more than just a movie. It is Hrithik Roshan’s star power along with Siddharth Anand’s deft direction that makes Fighter one of the brilliant creations of the year 2024. From the thrill of aerial fighting to depth in characters and rousing nationalism, Fighter has everything and more—it is absolutely essential to find a place in the annals of Indian cinema.