Release Date : January 25, 2024
Rating : 6/10
Starring: Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone, Anil Kapoor, Rishabh Sawhney, Karan Singh Grover, Akshay Oberoi
Director: Siddharth Anand
Producers: Siddharth Anand, Jyoti Deshpande, Ramon Chibb, Ajit Andhare, Anku Pande, Kevin Vaz, Mamta Bhatia
Music Directors: Vishal and Sheykhar
Cinematographer: Satchith Paulose

Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan has unveiled India’s inaugural aerial action thriller, “Fighter.” Directed by Siddharth Anand, renowned for his work in “War” and “Pathaan,” the film stars Deepika Padukone as the female lead. Continuing the sentiment of “Pathaan,” the movie premiered on January 25th. Let’s explore the film’s reception and impact.

Story

A team of skilled Indian Air Force pilots comes together upon detecting a potential threat to the Srinagar base camp. The team includes Shamsher Pathania, also known as Patty (played by Hrithik Roshan), Minni Rathore, known as Minni (played by Deepika Padukone), Sartaj Gill (played by Karan Singh Grover), and others. Rakesh Jai Singh, nicknamed Rocky (portrayed by Anil Kapoor), leads the team as their Commanding Officer. One day, the terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed attacks CRPF soldiers, sparking a series of confrontations between India and the terrorists. The movie centers on the ultimate victor in this conflict.

Plus Points

Just like Siddharth Anand’s previous films, Fighter doesn’t offer anything particularly unique in its plot, but the director manages to craft a compelling narrative that keeps us engaged. The first forty minutes or so introduce the characters, setting the stage for the conflict that follows. The movie then dives into intense aerial action sequences.

Hrithik Roshan as Patty | Fighter 2024 | 13377

Credit goes to the Fighter team for executing the aerial combat scenes with precision. These war sequences provide an immersive experience that adds depth to the storytelling. The attention to detail in the aerial scenes helps viewers understand and follow the action better. Another highlight of Fighter is its emotional moments, particularly in the second half. While action movies often lack emotional depth, Fighter strikes the right balance in this regard. Ashutosh Rana’s cameo appearance leaves a lasting impression.

Hrithik Roshan shines in this stylish action flick. His commanding screen presence is always a delight to watch. Hrithik’s wit, delivery of dialogues, subtle acting, and charisma significantly enhance the movie. His chemistry with Deepika Padukone is palpable, and the actress delivers her role convincingly. The romantic subplot doesn’t disrupt the film’s flow. Anil Kapoor, Akshay Oberoi, and Karan Singh Grover also deliver solid performances in their respective roles.

Minus Points

The songs and background score of Fighter disappoint. Apart from the Vandemataram track, the background score lacks depth. If this aspect were improved, the impact could have been much greater. Some dialogues evoke memories of Uri. Because the movie follows a template-based story, comparisons with other patriotic films are inevitable.

Fighter may resonate more with urban audiences than rural ones, given its genre. This could somewhat affect its box office potential. The aerial action sequence just before the interval is excellent, but the interval arrives abruptly.

Technical Aspects

As mentioned earlier, the music and score leave much to be desired. However, Fighter excels in other technical aspects. Satchith Paulose’s camera work is outstanding, particularly during the jet fights, which are exhilarating to watch. The VFX work is impressive and serves as the film’s biggest strength. The editing is also commendable.

Siddharth Anand delivers an engaging movie by sticking to his signature style of filmmaking, which involves taking a familiar story and giving it a fresh perspective. His vision for the aerial combat scenes is remarkable. The action choreographers deserve special praise, especially for the intense dogfights between the Air Force soldiers and their adversaries, which are captivating to watch.

Verdict

Overall, Fighter is a satisfactory aerial action film packed with impressive action sequences and Hrithik Roshan’s strong performance. While the story lacks originality, Siddharth Anand keeps the movie engaging with well-crafted scenes, ensuring there are no dull moments. Deepika Padukone, Anil Kapoor, and Karan Singh Grover deliver commendable performances in their respective roles.

The emotional moments, particularly in the second half, resonate with the audience. However, those expecting a compelling storyline might be slightly disappointed. Nevertheless, if you appreciate technical excellence, Fighter is worth a watch.