Fighter movie review time! I’ve just experienced one of the most visually compelling aerial combat films to come out of Bollywood. The Balakot airstrike unfolds dramatically as a dozen Mirage 2000 fighter jets leave scorching contrails against the exploding earth, creating scenes that are certainly above typical Bollywood standards.
While the fighter movie runs for over 160 minutes, it delivers an engaging package chronicling India’s best combat aviators who join forces to form the elite Air Dragons at Srinagar Airbase. The story follows their bravery protecting India against threats from neighboring Pakistan and terrorist groups planning attacks on Indian military bases. However, despite its visual appeal, I found the fighter film review process revealing some emotional disconnects beneath the spectacular surface.
In this fighter 2024 review, we’ll dive into what makes the movie soar and where it stalls. From the jaw-dropping air battles and Hrithik Roshan’s star-powered performance to the clichéd dialogs and pacing issues, I’ll break down whether this patriotic action film truly earns its wings or merely coasts on its impressive visual effects.
Setting the Stage: What Fighter (2024) Is All About
Siddharth Anand’s Fighter stands as India’s first aerial action thriller, marking an ambitious milestone in Bollywood’s action genre portfolio.
The film’s premise and patriotic backdrop
Fighter tells the story of elite Indian Air Force (IAF) aviators who form a special unit called “Air Dragons” at Srinagar Airbase. This team is commissioned specifically to respond to militant activities in the Kashmir Valley. The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of real-world tensions, referencing the 2019 Pulwama attack, Balakot airstrike, and India-Pakistan border skirmishes. Essentially, the film serves as a tribute to the sacrifice and patriotism of Indian armed forces, showcasing their camaraderie, team spirit, and personal redemption arcs.
Fighter movie release date and initial buzz
Initially scheduled for September 2022, production delays pushed the release to January 25, 2024, strategically coinciding with Republic Day weekend. Made on a reported budget of ₹250 crore, Fighter generated considerable pre-release buzz as the first collaboration between Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone. Furthermore, the film faced immediate comparisons to Hollywood’s “Top Gun” franchise due to its aerial combat sequences—comparisons that director Siddharth Anand addressed by insisting his creation was a “desi film” at heart. The first-day collection reached approximately ₹22 crore in India, subsequently expanding to ₹118.50 crore during its opening weekend.
How it compares to previous Siddharth Anand films
In comparison to Anand’s previous blockbusters, Fighter’s performance appears modest. Although the film crossed ₹225 crore in worldwide collections, this figure falls significantly short of the director’s earlier successes. Notably, “War” (also starring Hrithik Roshan) collected ₹166 crore in its five-day opening weekend alone, whereas “Pathaan” amassed an impressive ₹280.75 crore in the same timeframe. Pathaan ultimately soared to a worldwide gross of ₹1050 crore, setting a benchmark that Fighter struggled to approach. Critics attributed this performance gap to Fighter being more “urban-centric” than the mass-appeal oriented War and Pathaan.
The Air Battles: Visuals That Steal the Show
The visual spectacle of aerial dogfights remains the undeniable highlight of Siddharth Anand’s Fighter, offering audiences a first-of-its-kind experience in Indian cinema.
Real jets vs CGI: What worked and what didn’t
Fighter impressively blends authentic aircraft with computer-generated imagery. The production used real planes, choppers, bases, and hangars whenever possible, creating a foundation of authenticity that grounds the film’s more fantastical sequences. Nevertheless, the limitations become apparent when the camera lingers too long on CGI-developed planes performing aerial stunts. International VFX powerhouse DNEG (the Oscar-winning team behind Dune) spearheaded the effects, creating over 3,500 shots with a global crew of 2,600 individuals working across nine months.
Top Gun inspiration or imitation?
The comparisons to Top Gun were inescapable, indeed Anand himself acknowledged this inevitability: “As a filmmaker, you have to be prepared that if you make a film on planes they will call it Top Gun because they have no reference point”. The film does tip its hat to the Hollywood franchise, particularly when Patty executes a Cobra-like maneuver during a training exercise. Still, Anand maintained that “the Top Gun comparisons will be beaten to dust in the first 5 minutes”. Unlike Top Gun: Maverick’s stateless enemy, Fighter boldly embraces an India-Pakistan showdown.
Night-time Balakot strike and aerial choreography
The film’s centerpiece—the Balakot airstrike—unfolds dramatically at night, with a dozen Mirage 2000 fighter jets leaving scorching contrails against the exploding earth. This sequence forms part of a 25-minute climactic scene that reportedly took an extraordinary 120 hours to shoot. The jargon used strikes a balance between accessibility and authenticity, keeping the technical language understandable without sacrificing credibility.
3D experience and VFX quality
Watching Fighter in 3D proves remarkably comfortable, without the visual adjustment issues that plagued other 3D releases like Adipurush. The most challenging VFX work included Patty’s inverted run, the training day sequence, and shots of fighter jets flying just above lakes. Despite a tight delivery deadline—the climactic sequence was only completed in December 2023, mere weeks before the January release—the visual effects team delivered convincing aerial combat that genuinely thrills.
Characters and Performances: Who Soared and Who Stalled
Beyond the visual spectacle, Fighter’s casting proves its greatest strength, with performances that range from mesmerizing to missed opportunities.
Hrithik Roshan as Patty: A star-driven performance
Hrithik Roshan’s portrayal of Squadron Leader Shamsher Pathania reaffirms his status as a cinematic virtuoso. His seamless blend of charisma with vulnerability creates a magnetic screen presence throughout the film. Roshan’s physicality shines especially during high-octane action sequences, yet he navigates emotional scenes with equal finesse. His character embodies a fascinating dichotomy—Patty appears headstrong and focused, contrasting with Shammi’s deep vulnerability and guilt. This complexity allows Roshan to showcase his acting range, though occasionally the script constrains his potential.
Deepika Padukone’s underused potential
As Squadron Leader Minal “Minni” Rathore, Deepika Padukone brings grace and versatility to her character. Nonetheless, her performance suffers from limited screen time and underdeveloped character arcs. The on-screen chemistry between Roshan and Padukone is undeniably electric, adding authenticity to the emotional core. Yet the film fails to leverage Padukone’s full capabilities, relegating her to nearly invisible status for significant portions of the narrative.
Anil Kapoor’s commanding presence
At 67, Anil Kapoor delivers a masterclass as Group Captain Rakesh “Rocky” Jaisingh. His portrayal acts as a narrative anchor, grounding the film amid its high-flying action sequences. As a mentor figure, Kapoor infuses even minor moments with gravitas, making his presence felt in every scene. His seasoned performance commands respect, perfectly embodying the leadership qualities required of his character.
Supporting cast and the weak villain arc
Karan Singh Grover merits special recognition for his intensity as Squadron Leader Sartaj “Taj” Gill. Conversely, Rishabh Sawhney’s Azhar Akhtar stands as one of the film’s weakest links. Despite looking menacing with his distinctive red eye, the antagonist lacks screen presence and depth. The character suffers from shallow development and clichéd villain tropes, ultimately failing to create genuine menace or tension.
Where Fighter Misses the Mark
Despite its impressive visuals, Fighter stumbles in crucial areas that prevent it from reaching its full potential.
Clichéd dialogs and misplaced songs
Stale, patriotic one-liners like “Time aa gaya hai Pakistan ko batane ka ki baap kaun hai” plague the screenplay, with the Dalal brothers’ dialog writing being painfully off-target. Hrithik Roshan himself acknowledged this shortcoming, stating, “I would like to believe that my fans are a bit more evolved and they don’t like lines like this.” Musical sequences feel haphazardly inserted throughout, most notably when a flight mission awkwardly cuts to a daydream sequence featuring scantily-clad stars dancing at a seaside resort. The producers ultimately removed the “Ishq Thoda Thoda” song entirely, recognizing it slowed the film’s tempo.
Over-the-top nationalism and realism gap
The film struggles when dialog becomes “smothered in superpatriotism,” with Roshan’s character making controversial claims about “India Occupied Pakistan.” This jingoistic approach transforms what could have been a nuanced story into simplistic propaganda. Siddharth Anand defended the film as “more nationalistic than jingoistic,” yet many critics disagreed.
Pacing issues and emotional disconnect
After an engaging first half, Fighter “nosedives” in the second with forced segments simply filling runtime. The predictable plot telegraphs every development, from Patty’s inevitable comeback to Minni’s reconciliation with her parents.
Lack of depth in character arcs
The villain, Azhar Akhtar, appears merely angry rather than truly menacing, with critics calling him “vanilla” compared to other memorable Bollywood antagonists. Even Deepika Padukone’s character lacks meaningful development beyond being “a poster child for misplaced, trite feminism.”
Conclusion
Fighter ultimately delivers a mixed experience for viewers seeking high-octane aerial thrills. Despite running for over 160 minutes, the film shines brightest through its groundbreaking visual effects and meticulously choreographed air battles. DNEG’s team certainly deserves praise for creating a visual spectacle previously unseen in Indian cinema.
Nevertheless, the film struggles under the weight of its jingoistic tendencies and predictable storyline. Hrithik Roshan’s charismatic performance as Patty keeps the narrative afloat, though Deepika Padukone’s talents remain largely untapped throughout. Meanwhile, Anil Kapoor brings a commanding presence that helps anchor the emotional core of the film.
The comparison to Hollywood’s “Top Gun” franchise proves unavoidable, yet Fighter attempts to carve its own identity through its distinctly Indian perspective. Still, clichéd dialogs and misplaced musical numbers disrupt the flow, particularly during the second half when the pacing falters significantly.
Compared to Siddharth Anand’s previous blockbusters like “War” and “Pathaan,” Fighter falls short both critically and commercially. The film’s box office performance suggests audiences expected more from this high-budget aerial action thriller.
Fighter soars when showcasing spectacular dogfights over stunning Himalayan landscapes but stalls whenever the screenplay relies on tired patriotic tropes rather than authentic character development. The movie undoubtedly breaks new ground for Indian cinema’s technical achievements while simultaneously reinforcing old narrative shortcomings. For viewers willing to overlook these flaws, the film offers enough visual splendor and star power to justify a watch – albeit one that might leave you wishing for more substance beneath those impressive contrails.
Key Takeaways
Fighter (2024) marks a visual milestone for Indian cinema while struggling with narrative depth, offering spectacular aerial combat sequences that can’t fully compensate for its storytelling shortcomings.
• Visual spectacle reigns supreme: Fighter delivers India’s first world-class aerial action with DNEG’s Oscar-winning VFX team creating over 3,500 shots of jaw-dropping dogfights and authentic aircraft sequences.
• Star power carries weak writing: Hrithik Roshan’s charismatic performance as Patty anchors the film, while Deepika Padukone’s talent remains underutilized due to limited character development.
• Patriotism overshadows storytelling: Clichéd dialogs and over-the-top nationalism replace nuanced character arcs, with jingoistic one-liners undermining the film’s emotional authenticity.
• Technical achievement meets commercial disappointment: Despite a ₹250 crore budget and groundbreaking visuals, Fighter’s ₹225 crore worldwide collection falls short of director Siddharth Anand’s previous blockbusters like War and Pathaan.
• Second-half nosedive hurts overall impact: Strong opening sequences give way to pacing issues, misplaced songs, and predictable plot developments that dilute the film’s thrilling potential.
Fighter succeeds as a visual showcase for Indian cinema’s technical capabilities but serves as a reminder that spectacular effects cannot substitute for compelling storytelling and authentic character development.
FAQs
How does Fighter compare to Hollywood’s Top Gun franchise?
While Fighter draws inevitable comparisons to Top Gun, it aims to create its own identity with a distinctly Indian perspective. The film features impressive aerial combat sequences and uses real aircraft when possible, but also incorporates CGI for more fantastical stunts. Unlike Top Gun’s stateless enemy, Fighter boldly portrays an India-Pakistan conflict.
What makes the air battle scenes in Fighter stand out?
Fighter’s air battle scenes are a visual spectacle, blending real aircraft with high-quality CGI. The film’s centerpiece, a night-time Balakot airstrike, features a dozen Mirage 2000 fighter jets in action. The VFX team, led by Oscar-winning DNEG, created over 3,500 shots to deliver convincing and thrilling aerial combat sequences.
How do the lead actors perform in Fighter?
Hrithik Roshan delivers a charismatic performance as Squadron Leader Shamsher Pathania, showcasing both physicality in action sequences and emotional depth. Deepika Padukone brings grace to her role but suffers from limited screen time. Anil Kapoor commands respect with his portrayal of Group Captain Rakesh Jaisingh, serving as a strong anchor for the narrative.
What are some criticisms of Fighter Movie?
Critics have pointed out several issues with Fighter, including clichéd dialogs, over-the-top nationalism, pacing problems in the second half, and a lack of depth in character arcs. The villain character is considered underdeveloped, and some musical sequences feel misplaced within the narrative.
How does Fighter’s box office performance compare to the director’s previous films?
While Fighter has achieved moderate success with a worldwide collection of ₹225 crore, it falls short of director Siddharth Anand’s previous blockbusters. His earlier films like “War” and “Pathaan” performed significantly better, with “Pathaan” grossing ₹1050 crore worldwide. Fighter’s performance is attributed to being more “urban-centric” compared to the mass-appeal of Anand’s previous works.
