Before modern technologies came into play, the sky was already filled with aerial battlefields during the war, and the Indo-Pak war of 1965 was no different. The Sky Force movie focuses on one of the most remarkable moments recorded in the history of IAF, which is an airstrike in the Indo-Pak war. However, does Akshay Kumar’s account of the Sargodha strike really represent the untold bravery, or does it fall straight? Let’s take a closer look at this action-filled war drama.
Plot Overview: Recreating A Legendary Airstrike
Sky Force is primarily about airstrikes against Pakistan during the previous Indo-Pak wars. The bravery and perseverance of IAF pilots who overcame all obstacles to successfully destroy enemy fighter jets are depicted in the movie. One of these valiant pilots, Squadron Leader Ajjmanda B. Devaiah (fictionalized in the film as Krishna Vijayan), remained unsung till a book by his team leader, Wing Commander O.P. Taneja.
Although Sky Force tries to showcase Devaiah’s exploits, it is more of a movie with some elements of fiction rather than a documentary style. Bold and clever, no doubt, but does it work?
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The Star Power of Akshay Kumar: A Boon or Bane?
Without debate, Akshay Kumar is one of the most celebrated stars of Bollywood. He has constantly been projected as the patriotic, rigid hero, which has become a norm in Indian cinema. In Sky Force, Kumar plays a fictional version of Wing Commander O.P. Taneja, who is changed to Kumar Om Ahuja. While Ahuja forms an integral part of the story, one of the main problems is that he is overshadowed by Akshay Kumar’s star power. He is the very real hero that the movie needs to appreciate.
The role of Squadron Leader Devaiah, who is played by Veer Pahariya, is more significant than a supporting role. Pahariya does very well with his performance, giving a soft and tender strength to the courageous young pilot, but capturing more of the attention is Kumar’s character. Ahuja acts as the narrator in this movie and serves as the spectator’s emotional touch point, and this leads to an imbalance in the story. The film shifts too frequently to focus on Akshay Kumar. His gravitas is remarkable, yet in this scenario, it overshadows the genuine tale of patriotic honor far too much.
The Cast: Great Ensemble That Could Have Done More
Sky Force features other primary actors but also has a fantastic supporting cast with varying degrees of execution, from forgettable to decent.
Veer Pahariya (Krishna Vijayan) plays the role in a subtle fashion as a gifted youth and a pilot, frustrated by the overconfidence of his seniors. His character has the inner sensitivity which, had the film’s writer and director treated the film with such sensitivity, would have been the essence of the film. Unfortunately, his role is a subsidiary in the movie.
As usual, Akshay Kumar gives a powerful and impactful performance as Ahuja. As someone who naturally possesses a lot of charm and has a strong presence, he does tend to amble a bit too close to comfort in his character’s skin. The hero who steps up and takes the lead is a role Akshay has mastered, but this slightly predictable aspect of the character oversimplifies the emotional detail that should have rightfully belonged to the real hero of the story, Devaiah.
Vijayan’s wife is played by Sara Ali Khan, who unfortunately feels primarily absent from the story. Even with some tender scenes from her, she has no room for emotional expression, which makes her performance feel like an ornament instead of something more fulfilling.
Nimrat Kaur marks her presence as Ahuja’s brave wife even though she appears on screen only for a few scenes. In a film that at times lacks emotional depth, her brief yet powerful performance is much appreciated.
Supporting Cast: The important roles are played by Manish Chaudhari, Varun Badola, among others. Sadly, they are merely waiting for Akshay Kumar to step in and take charge. He dominates the film and in a story about unity, it is baffling that in this day and age so many of the remaining characters feel so neglected.
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The Air Fighting: Great to Watch, But Lacks Feeling
One of the most appealing features in any war movie is the action, which in Sky Force is aerial combat. The dogfights between the Indian Mystere and Pakistani Starfighter jets are intense, and the special effects add a level of excitement to the combat. The fight scenes are well thought out, and the sounds of roiling jets and blasts make every battle more powerful.
However, the issue comes up when the film uses too much CGI. Even though everything looks fantastic, it tends to become too robotic, and the emotional aspects of the narrative are virtually non-existent. It at times feels like a video game—fast-paced, but shallow in nature. The engines whirling, and the fighters yelling stimulates the heart but there isn’t much feeling poured into it.
The final sequence, wherein Devaiah’s heroics are on flamboyant display, stands out. The stakes are more intense, and finally the character does get noticed. This is the moment when the emotions of the film crystallize, but only the last third of the film has this. So much of the damage has been done after all the action sequences.
Storytelling: An Emotional Shortcoming
Every war movie, including those that are inspired by true events, has a powerful narrative intertwined with the emotional and psychological consequences of violence. Sky Force, unfortunately, prefers to be less ambitious with its storytelling. The film fails to portray the intricate details of the soldier’s lives and sacrifices and instead opts to focus on the technical details of completing the mission.
The emotional scenes feel out of place and undeserved. It is beyond doubt that the soldiers demonstrate unwavering bravery. Still, their personal struggles, the bond they formed, and the cost of war are undeveloped. Because of the action-packed nature of the film, viewers are not given the chance to engage with the characters long enough to understand their motivations.
The script seems to be a copy and paste of other war films: a hint of nationalism goes a long way, a sacrificial hero, and a personal tragedy to top it all off. While most war films have these elements, Sky Force fails in making them compelling. In fact, at times, it is nothing more than a history book brought to life with excessive action and minimal focus on the people involved.
Nationalism in Cinema: The Dangers of War Recitals
Sky Force is brimming with nationalistic passions, which somehow integrate into the tale. The Indian Air Force’s triumph against a technologically advanced opponent fills every Indian with great admiration. Yet, the story crosses into excessive nationalism, which, I must say, at times, does feel imposed.
This is particularly clear in the manner in which the film treats the Pakistani Air Force. The role played by Flight Lieutenant Amjad Hussain, whose air strike fueled Devaiah’s purported heroism, is all but forgotten. The film’s inability to acknowledge the ‘enemy’ as a person makes the story even shallower. In a movie that prides itself on the histrionics of heroism, that sort of treatment of an opponent is indeed unfortunate.
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The Final Judgement: Should It Be Watched?
The question of whether to watch or not to watch remains: Sky Force is a big-screen spectacle, but does it manage to mishandle the portrayal of India’s military history with some heart and honesty? The short answer is not really.
Fans of high action films and dramatic displays of heroism by Akshay Kumar will enjoy watching Sky Force. It is sure to be riveting. The aerial fights are awe inspiring and the show of patriotism will warm many hearts. Regardless, the film fails to adequately showcase the emotional layers of real-life characters who inspired it. The story of Squadron Leader Devaiah is essential and fascinating, but a film so blinded by its star is not likely to prioritize it.
If you are looking for a heartwarming action movie to munch popcorn on, then you may find Sky Force entertaining. On the other hand, if you are looking for a deep, emotional war film, then Sky Force may not meet your expectations.
Final Rating: 3/5
Sky Force is a depiction of action-packed entertainment, but it fails to find the right balance between style and substance. While it does capture India’s might beautifully, it fails to showcase the emotions and the context that such a powerful story invokes. Recommended for fans of military movies but not for people looking for a breathtaking tale with rich character development.
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