Review : Visually appealing : ‘Fighter’!
In recent times multiple films were released which had India-Pakistan conflict. In Uri the tale of India’s surgical strike on POK was successfully woven and the film was a superhit. Films like #Bhuj, #Raazi, #LOC, #Border, #Pippa etc dealt with the tensions between the neighbouring countries in varied fashion. #SiddharthAnand directed #Fighter treads the similar path but in the air. Fighter scores in air battle combats and the air acrobatics and strike scenes are well presented. Moreover the film showcases Hrithik Roshan histrionics and cashes on his Greek God looks. He does full justice to the character with his natural swag and confidence which sometimes may look like arrogance.
Squadron Leader Sartaj Pathania aka Patty (Hrithik Roshan) is a decorated IAF pilot who is supposed to be the best ‘fighter’ in an entire IAF. To combat the increasingly menacing terrorist activities of Pakistan’s terrorist group an air strike team, ‘Air Dragons’, is formed which is led by Rakesh ‘Rocky’ JaiSingh (Anil Kapoor). Rocky and Patty have personal issues which are visible to everyone in the team which includes Squadron Leaders Minal Rathore aka ‘Mini’ (Deepika Padukone), Sartaj Gill aka ‘Taj’ (Karan Singh Grover), Basheer Khan aka ‘Bash’ (Akshay Oberoi), Sukhdeep Singh aka ‘Sukhi’ (Baveen Singh), Rajan Unnithan aka ‘Unni’ (Mahesh Shetty). Around the team’s bonding, comes a news of a terrorist attack on CRPF soldiers in Pulwama. An air attack is planned which is successfully carried out by the ‘team’. What happens later and in between including the personal emotional combats of the lead cast forms the crux of the story.
Siddharth Anand has managed to offer sleek air combat scenes and the action choreography is praise worthy which include stylish and breathtaking mid air action scenes. VFX and special effects look life like which is a compliment. The first half is pacy but the second one drags a little with ‘women empowerment’ issues being highlighted through emotional scenes. An Air Force officer shown in an hand to hand fight, though to elevate the heroism, looks unauthentic and unnecessary. The music is good and the songs add to the partriotic feelings. Background score adds to the effectiveness of the proceedings on screen. The cinematography is excellent. The acting department is the highlight of the film as everyone has delivered a superb performance. Hrithik Roshan is splendidly super in his role. He looks suave, dashing and drop dead handsome in all the scenes, especially while walking towards the hanger. He has emoted beautifully and nails the character’s inner turmoil beautifully. He has the maximum screen time and he justifies that with a superlative performance. Deepika Padukone looks ravishing in uniform and otherwise and her pairing with Hrithik is just mind blowing. The electrifying chemistry between them is worth watching on the screen. She has excelled in emotional scenes and viewers will be hoping to see more of her on screen. Anil Kapoor too has delivered a punching performance and his youthful energy is worth envying. Karan Singh Grover and Akshay Oberoi do justice to their roles and apart from looking extremely gorgeous Sanjida Shaikh impresses despite limited screen time. Rishabh Sawhney who plays an antagonist is passable.
Fighter is filled with sleek, stylish air combat scenes and Hrithik Roshan carries the film on his shoulder with elan.
Rating : ***1/2