Siddharth Anand’s much-anticipated aerial action thriller, ‘Fighter,’ aimed to soar high as the inaugural film of a promising franchise. However, despite the presence of Bollywood icons like Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone, the film struggles to break free from its predictable trajectory, ultimately failing to deliver the freshness and originality expected from such a project.
Roshan, known for his versatile portrayals of military and intelligence personnel in past films, reprises a similar role as Squadron Leader Shamsher Pathania. While he effortlessly embodies the archetype of a courageous and skilled fighter pilot, the character’s journey feels all too familiar, lacking the innovation needed to captivate audiences.
The film unfolds with typical Bollywood flair, showcasing Shamsher’s daring missions, flirtatious charm, and inevitable clashes with adversaries, including a stereotypical terrorist antagonist. Despite the competently executed action sequences, ‘Fighter’ falls short in offering anything truly groundbreaking, relying heavily on clichés and formulaic storytelling.
Padukone’s presence adds star power but fails to elevate the film beyond its shallow narrative. Even the introduction of supporting characters, like Anil Kapoor’s disciplined Group Captain and Ashutosh Rana’s brief yet impactful appearance, cannot compensate for the lack of depth in the storyline.
While ‘Fighter’ attempts to inject emotional depth in its latter half, particularly in Shamsher’s interactions with Minal’s family, it still struggles to break free from its conventional mold. The film’s runtime, spanning over 2.5 hours, feels excessive, with little payoff for the audience’s investment.
Despite its flaws, ‘Fighter’ remains a watchable film, thanks to the performances of its cast and sporadic moments of genuine emotion. However, with a more imaginative approach and less reliance on nationalist rhetoric, it could have truly taken flight as a memorable cinematic experience.
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