Hrithik-Deepika ‘Fighter’ Already Flying High

It looks like the sky is the limit for the upcoming aerial flick ‘Fighter’. The highly-anticipated action thriller, which marks the first on-screening pairing of Deepika Padukone and Hrithik Roshan, has already set something of a record. Yes, this Siddharth Anand movie has sold over one lakh tickets in advance bookings. In so doing, it has already grossed Rs. 3.66 Cr. But it still has to take in nearly Rs. 247 Cr. more just to break even. However, profits are expected to soar - just like the film's protagonist.

Capitalising on India’s 75th Republic Day fervour, Fighter is all set to release on Thursday, Jan 25th with Viacom 18 Studios having ensnared the distribution rights. As of Tuesday, Jan 22, cash registers are ringing out loud, with 1,13,110 tickets having been snapped up for opening day shows. Majority of the buyers are from Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Delhi. TV channels and internet websites have been awash with tantalising trailers of the flick, while fans at home and abroad await with bated breath.

Contributing to the pre-release hype of Fighter is its scrutiny by the censors. Apparently, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) took exception to four “objectionable” aspects of the film. Accordingly, the CBFC unleashed its scissors upon an offensive word in the 53rd and 78th minutes as well as “sexually-suggestive visuals” lasting 8 seconds. The Board also called for the trimming of a TV news clip and insisted an anti-smoking message be displayed, before it provided a U/A certificate. In an added touch of controversy however, all Arab countries have banned the movie except for the UAE.

Fighter signifies the first collaborative effort between the two stars and film-maker Anand, who had previously directed Padukone in Bachna Ae Hasina (2008) and 2023’s Pathaan. Deepika, who plays an elite fighter pilot in the imminent release, couldn’t be flying higher – thanks to her all-time-blockbuster hit last year.

But Hrithik badly needs a fillip to his career as he hasn’t had a big hit since 2019’s War, which incidentally was also directed by Anand. Hrithik’s last film Vikram Vedha, which released in late 2022, didn’t perform particularly well at the box office. Fighter’s supporting cast includes Karan Singh Grover, Akshay Oberoi and veteran Anil Kapoor. Is this explosive flick geared to keep viewers teetering on the edge of their seats from an emotional and skyward ride? That, and perhaps more, remains to be “seen”.