In a much-anticipated cinematic collaboration, Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone join forces for the first time in the upcoming film ‘Fighter,’ slated to release on January 25. Adding to the star-studded cast is Anil Kapoor in a pivotal role, raising expectations, especially in the wake of director Siddharth Anand’s previous success with ‘Pathaan.’
Apart from the lead trio, the ensemble includes Karan Singh Grover, Akshay Oberoi, Sanjeeda Sheikh, Talat Aziz, Sanjeev Jaiswal, Rishabh Sawhney, and Ashutosh Rana. The film’s trailer offers a glimpse into the aerial action adventure, with Hrithik as Squadron Leader Shamsher Pathania, Deepika as Squadron Leader Minal Rathore, and Anil Kapoor as Group Captain Rakesh Jai Singh. The narrative unfolds within the aviation setting, portraying the dedication of the Air Dragons members to the nation amid the highs and lows of their battles.
The film’s music, composed by Vishal-Shekhar, features five songs, including the energetic ‘Sher Khul Gaye,’ the romantic ‘Ishq Jaisa Kuch,’ and the soulful ‘Heer Aasmani.’
Initially announced in January 2021 with a theatrical release scheduled for September 2022, ‘Fighter’ faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The film is now set to hit theaters on January 25, 2024.
However, the trailer release encountered criticism from Pakistani actors such as Hania Aamir and Adnan Siddiqui. Hania expressed concerns about potential tensions between the two countries, prompting a response from director Siddharth Anand, who highlighted Hania’s past roles in anti-India films. Adnan Siddiqui called for promoting love and peace through art, while Zara Noor Abbas questioned the need for spreading hatred.
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) granted ‘Fighter’ a U/A certification with minor edits, bringing the runtime to approximately 2 hours and 46 minutes. The board recommended modifications, including the removal of ‘sexually suggested visuals’ and muting an offensive term.
As the first major Bollywood release of 2024, ‘Fighter’ has generated significant buzz, boasting impressive advance bookings with ₹3.66 crore nett for its opening day in India. According to estimates on Sacnilk.com, a total of 1,13,110 tickets have been sold across the country for the film’s debut.
