Fighter Review: Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone Shine in a Predictable yet Engaging Film

It’s that time of year when Bollywood goes all out with patriotic movies. With India celebrating its 75th Republic Day on January 26, Bollywood seizes the moment to release a patriotic film for the Republic Day weekend. “Fighter,” directed by Sidharth Anand, delves into the lives of Indian Air Force fighter pilots, encompassing themes of patriotism, heroism, and a familiar yet engaging storyline. Taking place in 2019, amidst the Pulwama terror attack and the subsequent Balakot airstrikes, the film portrays the intensity of the events and the border skirmishes with Pakistan. Let’s see how it all comes together on the big screen.

The plot of “Fighter” revolves around the Indian Airforce forming a team of elite fighter pilots to prepare for a critical mission following intelligence about a potential terror attack in Srinagar. The team, led by Group Captain Rocky (Anil Kapoor), includes skilled pilots like Patty (Hrithik Roshan), Mini (Deepika Padukone), Bash (Akshay Oberoi), and Taj (Karan Singh Grover). As they train together, they form strong bonds, especially helping Patty, who carries emotional baggage from the past, to open up.

The pilots, known for their exceptional courage and talent, excel in their missions under the guidance of Rocky and Patty, who is hailed as the top fighter pilot in the Airforce. However, during a mission into POK (Pakistan occupied Kashmir), two pilots go missing, leading to a high-stakes rescue operation by the Indian Airforce.

The film effectively uses VFX to enhance the action sequences, reminiscent of the Top Gun series, while infusing the narrative with Indian perspectives on gender equality and societal issues. Although these themes add depth, the film only scratches the surface without delving deeper into them. The first half focuses on character development and relationships, setting the stage for intensified action in the latter part of the film.

The film “Fighter” falls short in a few aspects. While the action scenes are thrilling and visually appealing, the storyline itself feels quite predictable, leaving little room for surprises. The reliance on aerial stunts and VFX for excitement is evident, but the inclusion of tokenism, nationalistic dialogues, and a foreseeable plot prevents the movie from standing out as exceptional.

Moreover, the film underutilizes the talents of Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone. Despite the focus on Roshan’s character, who portrays a rule-breaking patriot, the role doesn’t allow him to showcase his full potential, resulting in a somewhat lackluster performance. Padukone, though stunning on screen and sharing good chemistry with Roshan, isn’t given the opportunity to shine as an actress due to uninspired writing, leading to average performances from both actors.

Anil Kapoor’s portrayal as Rocky tends to be exaggerated, with his character’s strained relationship with Roshan’s character feeling forced at times. Similarly, Karan Singh Grover’s performance comes across as contrived and overly theatrical, lacking the authenticity needed for the role.

The film’s messaging also wavers between extremes, oscillating between criticizing the neighboring country and condemning terrorism in general. This inconsistency in messaging may polarize audiences, with some finding the patriotic elements eye-roll inducing while others may applaud them enthusiastically, catering to different audience preferences.

Overall, “Fighter” struggles to reach its full potential due to its predictable plot, underutilized cast, exaggerated character portrayals, and mixed messaging on patriotism.