Fighter Review: A Mediocre Action Outing!

Fighter, the highly anticipated action film directed by Siddharth Anand, takes off with a promising start, akin to a slow-propelled rocket. Mainly focusing on character development, the movie features an ensemble cast led by the ever-charismatic Hrithik Roshan, alongside the powerhouse Bollywood diva Deepika Padukone and Anil Kapoor. This collaboration marks the inception of an ambitious aerial action franchise, led by Anand and his production house, Marflix.

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The storyline of Fighter begins with Shamsher Pathania, who realizes his lifelong dream of joining the IAF. Faced with tough challenges, Shamsher, affectionately known as Patty, embarks on a treacharous journey where he must surpass his own limitations to emerge as a genuine hero.

Let’s begin with the positives, the aerial fighter jet sequences and the action choreography were a visual spectacle, making this movie a compelling cinematic experience for the big screen. On to the performances, Hrithik Roshan’s electrifying on-screen charisma shines, and the debutant Rishabh Sawhney impresses as a formidable antagonist, contributing to the film’s intensity.

While Deepika Padukone exudes confidence and glamor, her character, Minal Rathore, lacks substantial depth, underutilizing her incredible acting prowess. Anil Kapoor, Karan Grover, Akshay Oberoi, and Sanjeeda Sheikh were decent and contribute meaningfully to the film.

However, like an aircraft encountering turbulence, Fighter experiences a nosedive due to its high Emotional Quotient (EQ). The emotional scenes, while impactful, blur the line between an action film and drama, leading to moments of distraction for the audience. A judicious edit, trimming excess emotional baggage and superfluous songs, could have maintained the film’s momentum, preventing it from oscillating between greatness and mediocrity.

Overall, Fighter is a decent film that avoids excessive jingoism, opting for a balanced approach. However, the potential for greatness is hampered by an excess of emotional drama and unnecessary musical interludes. With the promise of a Netflix release in about 50 days, the film may find a new audience eager to explore its highs and lows from the comfort of their homes.

‘Fighter (2024)’ Rating – 2.75/5