Director: Siddharth Anand
Starring: Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone, Anil Kapoor
A reckless yet brilliant squadron leader and his team of elite fighter pilots face mortal dangers and inner demons as they unite for a deadly mission.
There’s no way you’re going to watch ‘Fighter’ and not compare it to ‘Top Gun’ (providing off course you’ve seen ‘Top Gun’). In fact, this film is so similar to ‘Top Gun: Maverick’, especially, that it might be considered a Hindi remake. There are moments when Hrithik Roshan looks like a spitting image of Tom Cruise with his jacket, shades, and riding a motorcycle! (Speaking of Hrithik; oh that sculptured body!!)
The best combat pilots in the Indian Air Force are members of the Air Dragons unit. Squadron Leader Shamsher Pathania – or Patty – (Hrithik Roshan) is the best pilot, and his attitude confirms this. His best friend is Taj, and together with the rest of the members they are a close-knit circle of friends. They are introduced to Minal Rathore – or Minni – (Deepika Padukone). Her Dad never wanted her to become a pilot, as he views it as a man’s job. The film quickly establishes a romance between Patty and Minni. I suppose they feel the viewer roots more for the characters if there’s a romance…
The antagonist is Pakistani terrorist Azhar Akhtar (Rishabh Sawhney), who intends destroying the Indian Air Force. He is a so-called freedom fighter in the name of Kashmir. There’s plenty of action as war ensues between Pakistan and India.
For most parts, the action sequences were entertaining. My biggest criticism here were the explosions, which were so obvious CGI. I also found the film a bit sensational (and not always realistic), but overall it was entertaining enough to satisfy my needs for an action film. ‘Top Gun: Maverick’, off course, is far superior, but let’s not be too critical. At least India tried. Oh, and the Indian film makers do love their slow motion effects and musical segments in their films, don’t they!
In Hindi.
Would I watch it again? I don’t think so. I’d much rather spend time watching ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ again. I also found ‘Fighter’ far too long a movie.
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