Movie Review: Fighter

‘Fighter’ is directed by Siddharth Anand and produced by Viacom18 Studios and Marflix Pictures. The cast comprises Deepika Padukone, Hrithik Roshan, and Anil Kapoor, marking the first instalment of a planned series featuring aerial action. The movie references significant events like the 2019 Pulwama attack, the 2019 Balakot airstrike, and the 2019 India–Pakistan border skirmishes, creating high expectations for the film.

Story:

Hrithik plays Squadron Leader Shamsher Pathania, Deepika is Squadron Leader Minal Rathore, and Anil Kapoor is Group Captain Rakesh Jai Singh. The story unfolds in the Srinagar Valley, where militant activities become a major concern. To tackle this, a special unit called Air Dragons is formed by the Air Headquarters. “Fighter” focuses on the Air Dragons’ members, their dedication to the nation, and the challenges they face internally and externally.

Screenplay and Analysis

In terms of the story, ‘Fighter’ doesn’t bring anything new, and everything is easy to predict. It’s another movie from Hindi cinema where India seeks revenge against its neighbouring country, Pakistan. Director Siddharth Anand, credited for co-writing the script with Ramon Chibb, leans into a super-patriotic theme. This feeling is emphasized by clichéd and overly familiar dialogues.

In terms of entertainment, ‘Fighter’ remains smooth and clever, keeping the audience interested and absorbed. From the polished opening shots of a Sukhoi 30 flying upside down just above the runway to the thrilling dogfights between Indian and Pakistani fighter jets, the movie presents tactical situations where pilots use basic manoeuvres to attack or evade opponents. The helicopter stunts and aerial combat scenes are much more exciting and captivating.

Acting

Deepika looks stunning in ‘Fighter’, elevating her glamour to new heights. She’s not just sultry but also fearlessness, and intelligence, making your heart skip a beat. Anil Kapoor, portraying the senior figure in the crew, is consistently reliable. His body language and appearance are a perfect fit for the role of the commanding officer. However, the film truly belongs to Hrithik Roshan, who steals the show with his captivating and charming demeanour. Hrithik Roshan’s toned physique is bound to leave many women swooning and men admiring him.

Technical Departments

‘Fighter’ deserves full marks for its exciting fight sequences. The director and action directors did an excellent job. The technical aspects of ‘Fighter’ are also impressive. The cinematography by Satchith Paulose is excellent, and editor Aarif Sheikh keeps the film moving at a quick pace. Siddharth Anand’s directorial style adds a cool and stylish touch to the film. Together, they create an engaging movie that is both thrilling and easy to believe in.

Plus points

• Hrithik Roshan’s impactful presence and performance
• Engaging action sequences

Minus points

• Sluggish pace in the second half

Bottom line: Predictable plot with technically brilliant sequences.