Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone & Anil Kapoor starrer Fighter movie review

Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone, Anil Kapoor, Karan Singh Grover, Akshay Oberoi, Sanjeeda Sheikh, Talat Aziz, Sanjeev Jaiswal, Rishabh Sawhney, and Ashutosh Rana

Director: Siddharth Anand

Filmmaker Siddharth Anand has emerged as one of the most prolific Bollywood directors by delivering money-spinners in the form of Bang Bang, War and Pathaan. He reunited with Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone to give us the first aerial action movie of the Indian cinema, Fighter. While the trailers and songs have raised curiosity, does it surpass the sky-high expectations of the cinegoers? Let’s find out…

The plot starts with a terrorist from Jaish (a terrorist organisation) recording a message for the Indian government saying that till time everyone watches this video he will be enjoying in heaven hinting towards a suicide attack.

Cut to, we go one year back, where all the best aviators of the Indian Airforce assemble including Bash (Akshay Oberoi), Taj (Karan Singh Grover), Mini (Deepika Padukone), Hrithik Roshan (Patty) along with some others. Rocky (Anil Kapoor), CO of the team instructs them that they are here on a mission as the terrorist organisation has plans to attack the Srinagar base camp. They name their team Air Dragons and Anil Kapoor tells them to practice for the mission and bond with each other.

In this phase, Mini starts liking Patty but there is a heartbreaking past, which still haunts him and it also has a connection with Rocky. We are back to the present day, where the terrorist who recorded a message, kills several Indian CRPF soldiers in a suicide bombing. The mastermind behind this attack is Ashraz Ahmed (played by menacing Rishabh Sawhney), who was previously responsible for attacks in Afghanistan, Kabul and other places.

He plans to attack India right in its heart with the help of the Pakistan army and ISI agents by targeting the Srinagar base camp. In one of the air battles between India and Pakistan, the enemy plans a trap for Patty but Bash and Taj fall under it as they cross the LoC and are ambushed. Rocky holds Patty responsible for this and while he saves him in the inquiry, to keep everyone away from him, he removes him from the team and transfers him to Hyderabad for the role of flying instructor.

Bash and Taj are imprisoned in Pakistan. Will Patty make a comeback as a Fighter and bring them home with the help of his team members? For that, you need to watch this story of valour and jingoism on the big canvas.

For me, this has to be Siddharth Anand’s best work. Yes, better than War and Pathaan. He weaved the narrative with thrilling and emotional elements, which have several goosebumps moments. The aerial action sequences are simply impeccable and with BGM by Sanchit Balhara and Ankit Balhara, the impact of these scenes goes to another level. While the first has vivacious energy which is palpable, the second half has more emotional and patriotic moments. The best thing I liked about Fighter is its ensemble cast. The director used his every to his or her potential.

Talking about performances, Hrithik Roshan is a charmer and as Squadron Leader Shamsher Pathania, he sinks himself into the character and hits the ball out of the park. Right from his emotional eyes to superb dialogue delivery, the actor makes an indelible mark with Fighter. Deepika as Meenal Rathore is great, apart from her sizzling chemistry with Hrithik, she shines in the emotional scenes. Anil Kapoor is apt as Rocky and delivers a noteworthy performance. Akshay and Karan deliver their best as Bash and Taj.

Special brownie points for designing the magnificent aerial action sequences, Satchith Paulose for his unmatchable camera work and Aarif Sheikh for his crisp editing skills.

On the whole, Fighter is a big-screen visual spectacle, which should not be missed.

Rating: 4 (out of 5 stars)

Fighter is playing in cinemas

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