14th January 2024, Mumbai: Siddharth Anand’s Fighter, featuring Hrithik Roshan, Anil Kapoor, and Karan Singh Grover, among others, takes centre stage with its gripping narrative surrounding the Pulwama attack and India’s retaliatory actions. Scheduled for release on January 25, Fighter’s trailer suggests a cinematic spectacle, aiming to resonate with the audience’s patriotic fervor.
Intriguing Characters and Visual Spectacles:
The trailer introduces Anil Kapoor assembling a top-notch team of pilots, including Deepika Padukone’s squadron leader Minal Rathore and Hrithik Roshan’s squadron leader Shamsher Pathania, forming a rapid response squad. The opening scenes beautifully showcase the film’s characters and the stunning locations where it was filmed.
Pulwama Attack: Central Focus of Fighter:
While Fighter impresses with its aerial action sequences and vibrant visuals, it becomes evident that the narrative gravitates towards Pulwama, labelled “the deadliest terror attack on Indian air forces.” The movie strategically references both the Indian strikes in Balakot and the Pulwama attack, drawing parallels with real-life events.
A Visual Extravaganza in the Skies:
Drawing parallels with the success of the 2019 film Uri: The Surgical Strike, Fighter aims to captivate audiences with its aerial-centric action, showcasing dogfights and intense hand-to-hand combat. Hrithik Roshan’s dialogues, emphasizing “Pakistan occupied Kashmir” and issuing warnings about “India occupied Pakistan,” promise a riveting experience, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats.
The Grand Reveal at Mumbai Event:
The trailer’s grand release event in Mumbai was attended by Hrithik Roshan, while Deepika Padukone expressed regret for missing the occasion on her social media. Her Instagram story conveyed, “Will miss my squadron… Good Luck Team!”.
Recalling the Pulwama Attack and India’s Response:
The film’s backdrop references the Pulwama attack on February 14, 2019, where a Jaish-e-Mohammed suicide bomber targeted a CRPF convoy, resulting in the loss of forty lives. India responded with “Operation Bandar,” conducting airstrikes on JeM camps near Balakot in Pakistan. The movie encapsulates this pivotal moment, intertwining reality with the cinematic narrative.
Fighter’s Release and Collaboration History:
Scheduled for release on January 25, Fighter marks Hrithik Roshan’s third collaboration with Siddharth Anand, following the successes of Bang Bang and War. The film promises to deliver a gripping narrative against the backdrop of real events, engaging audiences in an immersive and action-packed cinematic experience.
By Mahananda Bhattacharjee