Rahul Desai
"Fighter" (2024) attempts to emulate Tom Cruise's Top Gun franchise, incorporating pulsating action and hyper-masculinity. However, distractions in action and conflicting narrative elements hinder its success.
Starring Hrithik Roshan as Squadron Leader Patty Pathania, the film introduces interpersonal dynamics but deviates into dramatized territory after a terrorist attack. This shift compromises the film's initial focus.
While tackling the Balakot airstrike and Indo-Pak dynamics, "Fighter" struggles with inconsistent portrayals of nationless terrorists and the Pakistani people, resulting in a flimsy geopolitical scenario.
Well-choreographed pre-interval aerial combat scenes are marred by chaotic sequences, impacting the overall impact. Off-putting dialogue, especially involving Pakistan, adds to the film's challenges.
Patty Pathania's character tends to trivialize the Indian Air Force and patriotism, overshadowing geopolitical tensions for a redemption arc that neglects the consequences of his actions.
"Fighter" struggles to balance technical bravado with its combative themes, resulting in a compromised viewing experience. The film's blurred line between real events and fiction invites critiques regarding its portrayal of geopolitics and national identity.