Fighter

About the film

Fighter is a 2024 Indian Hindi-language aerial action film directed by Siddharth Anand and produced by his production company Marflix Pictures and Viacom18 Studios. It stars Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone, Anil Kapoor, Karan Singh Grover, and Akshay Oberoi. The first instalment of a planned aerial action franchise, the film depicts a series of military incidents between India and Pakistan in 2019, covering the Pulwama attack, the 2019 Balakot airstrike, and the India–Pakistan border skirmishes.

Announced in January 2021, it is Anand's first production venture and third collaboration with Roshan after Bang Bang! (2014) and War (2019). Principal photography began in November 2022, and took place across Assam, Hyderabad, Jammu and Kashmir, and Mumbai. Real-life Indian Air Force personnel were involved in the film's production. The soundtrack was composed by Vishal–Shekhar, with a film score by Sanchit Balhara and Ankit Balhara. The visual effects were handled by DNEG.

Plot

In Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, a terrorist organisation led by Azhar Akhtar plans to attack India by targeting the Srinagar Air Force Station base of the Indian Air Force. Group captain Rakesh "Rocky" Jai Singh is assigned to counter the threat and forms a team called the "Air Dragons", consisting of skilled fighter pilots. The team includes squadron leaders Shamsher "Patty" Pathania, Minal "Minni" Rathore, Sartaj "Taj" Gill, Basheer "Bash" Khan, Rajan "Unni" Unnithan, and Sukhdeep "Sukhi" Singh. During training, the team members bond, and Minni develops romantic feelings for Patty. However, Patty is haunted by his past after losing his fiancée during a previous mission. The team later learns about an attack on CRPF soldiers in Pulwama that was organised by Akhtar.

In response, the Indian Air Force, along with RAW agent Zareena Begum, plans a counterattack on Akhtar's base in Balakot. Despite succeeding in the mission, the aftermath causes tensions between India and Pakistan. As a result, the Pakistan Air Force launches a retaliatory attack on the Indian base. Despite Rocky's orders, Patty, Taj, and Bash cross the Line of Control. Taj and Bash's aircraft is shot down by Pakistan Air Force pilots, leading to their capture. Following a court of inquiry, Rocky removes Patty from the Air Dragons team. Patty is then posted as a flying instructor at the Air Force Academy in Hyderabad. Rocky also reveals to Minni that he holds a grudge against Patty for allowing his fiancée, Naina Jai Singh, call sign Enjay (who is revealed to be Rocky's younger sister), to die during a previous rescue mission. At the AFA, Patty assists a flight cadet, Neha Joshi (who also uses the similar call sign NJ), in landing safely after she panics and loses control of her aircraft during her first solo flight. He feels a sense of atonement after helping Neha and subsequently pays special attention to her training.

The Government of Pakistan announces that Taj and Bash will be escorted safely back to India. However, the Air Dragons are shocked when the chopper sent to receive Taj and Bash returns carrying only Bash's dead body. Sukhi informs Patty that Bash was brutally murdered by Akhtar and that he has imprisoned a severely injured Taj. Determined to rescue him, Patty and Rocky defy orders and join a covert mission. The team successfully infiltrates enemy territory, allowing Patty to rescue Taj and kill Akhtar. After landing, Patty and Minni embrace in celebration of their victory.

Production

Siddharth Anand narrated the idea of making a big-budget action thriller against the backdrop of fighter jets while shooting the film War (2019). Hrithik Roshan loved the basic premise of the story. During the COVID-19 lockdown in India, Anand worked on developing the story further and narrated it to Roshan, who later confirmed it for the film. In December 2020, it was reported that Siddharth Anand and Hrithik Roshan are going to reunite for a film after War (2019).

Fighter was officially announced on 10 January 2021, on the occasion of Hrithik Roshan's birthday. The film is the India's first aerial action film. It is the first installment in its franchise. The film is produced by Siddharth Anand, Mamta Anand, Ramon Chibb, Anku Pande, Kevin Vaz and Ajit Andhare, under banners Viacom18 Studios and Marflix Pictures. The film was made on a budget of ₹250 crore.

The film is designed for a global audience and would involve the use of the latest technology and filming techniques.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack was composed by Vishal–Shekhar while the film score was composed by Sanchit Balhara and Ankit Balhara. The album consists of six songs. The music rights were acquired by T-Series. The first single, titled "Sher Khul Gaye," was released on 15 December 2023. The second single titled "Ishq Jaisa Kuch" was released on 22 December 2023. The third single titled "Heer Aasmani" was released on 8 January 2024.

Marketing and release

The teaser of the film was released on 8 December 2023. The official trailer of the film was released on 15 January 2024.

Fighter was released on 25 January 2024, coinciding with the Republic Day. Earlier in January 2021, it was announced that the film was going to release on 30 September 2022. In October 2022, the release date was announced as 25 January 2024. The film was banned across the countries of the GCC.

Key details