Mahira Khan, Abida Parveen, Javed Akhtar, others grace Urdu literary festival in Dubai

With the release of the highly divisive Bollywood film Fighter, the cinematic landscape is buzzing with a spectrum of opinions. Initial reviews present a nuanced tapestry of critiques, blending disappointment with concerns over the film’s handling of sensitive themes.

Journalist Haroon Rashid did not mince words in his assessment of Fighter, as per a TikTok video. He described it as “one of the most offensive, insulting, disgusting, manipulative pieces of propaganda” to come out of Bollywood.

He expressed deep disappointment with the stars involved, emphasising how upset he was with their participation in a project that, according to him, “distorts facts to such an extent that it puts forward a version of history that didn’t happen and instigates hatred amongst communities.” The BBC reviewer repetitively conveyed his shock at the film’s content, deeming it deeply unsettling.

A review by Film Companion provided a critical perspective on Siddharth Anand’s directorial choices, likening Fighter to Tom Cruise’s Top Gun franchise but deeming it inferior. The film was accused of embodying hyper-masculinity, homoeroticism, and warmongering, with the narrative allegedly lacking the swagger of its inspiration.

The review noted the film’s attempt to distinguish between nationless terrorists and the Pakistani people but criticised the execution, particularly citing off-putting dialogue related to Pakistan. “The film insists that its battle is with nationless terrorists and not with the Pakistani people, but threats that use phrases like ‘India-occupied Pakistan’ prove that this distinction is flimsy at best,” the review highlighted.

The critic grappled with categorising the film, noting that it cannot be labelled propaganda due to its loose inspiration from real events, and disclaimers declaring it a work of fiction prevent accusations of inaccuracy. Despite being positioned as a tribute, the review questioned the film’s entertainment value. The review read, “You can’t call it propaganda because it is loosely inspired by real events. You can’t call it inaccurate because the disclaimer says it’s a work of fiction. You can’t call it mediocre because it’s a tribute. You can’t call it post-truth because it’s Indian. You can’t even call it entertaining because war is no laughing matter.”

The Guardian’s review honed in on technical aspects, criticising the film’s excessive use of CGI, particularly in aerial combat scenes. Describing these sequences as “flat, lifeless, and utterly forgettable,” the review raised concerns about the film’s reliance on visual effects at the expense of storytelling.

The love story between Hrithik Roshan’s cocky squadron leader Patty and Deepika Padukone’s fiery fighter pilot Minni was deemed to suffer under the weight of sentimental speeches of patriotic allegiance. The review highlighted the challenges posed by the film’s attempt to balance a love story with a patriotic narrative, emphasizing the impact on the overall viewing experience.

The review stated, “CGI-ed to death, the much-hyped scenes of aerial combat are flat, lifeless and utterly forgettable. Sentimental speeches of patriotic allegiance weigh down the love story between Roshan’s cocky squadron leader Patty and Padukone’s fiery fighter pilot Minni.”

However, there were those that liked the film as well. One X user shared, “Fighter is surprisingly good. The emotion worked for me, the air combat sequences are composed in a way you feel the rush and chaos but are also very easy to follow and, more importantly, the film never forgets to create little moments. The emotional iteration of Hrithik Roshan’s ‘Please’ in the second half, which is such a classic way to create an emotional moment using a callback, is my favourite. Liked it a lot. P.S: Only Siddharth Anand can think of going from a patriotic song to a beach number in the end credits.”

Yet another X user stated, “I absolutely loved [Hrithik] in Fighter. To give such a fine, nuanced, powerful yet vulnerable performance where his eyes spoke so much, the range of emotions was so palpable. It’s not an easy feat to deliver this kind of performance in a hardcore masala entertainer but our man did it so effortlessly. Thank you for being you, for entertaining us, inspiring us. Your consistent great work is evidence of your hard work, discipline and work ethic.” The fan also claimed that the director “hit it out of the park again” with the film.

Fighter seems to have sparked controversy and divided opinions in its early reviews, with critics pointing out issues related to narrative choices, portrayal of history, and technical execution. As audiences flock to theatres, the film’s success and reception will likely be shaped by how viewers engage with its content and themes.