Abhishek Anil Kapur, the director of ‘Sky Force,’ has addressed the comparisons between his film and Siddharth Anand’s ‘Fighter,’ expressing admiration for Anand’s work and emphasizing the distinctiveness of each film’s narrative.
In a recent interview with the Free Press Journal, Kapur acknowledged the parallels drawn by audiences due to both films’ focus on the Indian Air Force. He stated, “I take great pride in it. I really look up to Siddharth Anand—he has delivered ‘Pathaan’ and ‘Fighter.’ He is one of the most sought-after directors in the country; he is one of India’s biggest filmmakers. So, for a debutant director to be compared to someone of his calibre, I feel immensely proud.”
Despite the comparisons, Kapur emphasized the unique aspects of ‘Sky Force,’ noting, “But I would say that it is not right to compare two films just because they are based on the Air Force. ‘Fighter’ is completely different, and our film is completely different. Ours is a story set in 1965, while his film is based on Balakot but told in a different way.”
He further expressed his admiration for ‘Fighter,’ stating, “But yes, if people are drawing comparisons, I take pride in it. ‘Fighter’ is a superhit film—I have seen it three times. I love Hrithik Roshan, and I love Siddharth Anand. So, if you’re comparing me to my idols, then thank you—that’s great.”
‘Fighter,’ directed by Siddharth Anand, features Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone, and Anil Kapoor in lead roles. The film is a fictionalized retelling of a series of military events between India and Pakistan in 2019, including the Pulwama attack, Balakot airstrike, and India–Pakistan border skirmishes. It garnered mixed critical reviews but achieved significant box office success, grossing ₹358 crore worldwide.
In contrast, ‘Sky Force,’ directed by Abhishek Anil Kapur and Sandeep Kewlani, tells the story of India’s first airstrike—the Sargodha airbase attack in Pakistan during the Indo-Pak Air War of 1965. The film stars Akshay Kumar and marks the Bollywood debut of Veer Pahariya. It also features Sara Ali Khan and Nimrat Kaur in supporting roles. According to the makers, the film surpassed the ₹100-crore mark within just eight days of release.
The discussion around these films intensified following a cryptic post by Siddharth Anand on social media, which some interpreted as a response to the comparisons between ‘Sky Force’ and ‘Fighter.’ Anand wrote, “Hahahaha!! Insecurity hits new lows! I feel so important today! Have faith in your own self! Come on yo!! An old saying – Blowing off another candle won’t make yours burn brighter! But alas…” This post sparked speculation and debate among fans and industry observers.
Despite the debates and comparisons, both ‘Sky Force’ and ‘Fighter’ have contributed significantly to the genre of aerial action films in Indian cinema, each offering a unique perspective and storytelling approach.
