By Vishnu Sharma
Director: Sandeep Kewlani, Abhishek Anil Kapur Star Cast: Akshay Kumar, Veer Pahariya, Nimrat Kaur, Sara Ali Khan, Varun Badola, Sharad Kelkar, and others Where to Watch: In Theaters Rating: 4
On this Republic Day, book your tickets for one of the most-awaited releases opening in cinemas this year – Sky Force – igniting patriotic spirit on this special occasion. The film tells the story of an unsung hero of the Indian Air Force, who had been missing for 23 long years, and when he is found, stood tall as a hero not just for the force, but for the entire country.
Based on a true event, the screenplay moves smoothly taking the viewer ahead in the epic journey, however, leaving behind a few glitches. In the film, Akshay Kumar plays Wing Commander Kumar Om Ahuja leading the Tiger Force, named Group Captain Ahuja. Beside him is DK. Vijaya (played by AB Devaiya), his junior pilot, who often finds himself in the spotlight for pushing his limits in the name of patriotism. This role is portrayed by debutant actor Veer Pahariya.
About Sky Force
We saw in Sunny Deol-starrer iconic film ‘Border’ set in the 1965 war plot, how towards the climax, a unit of the Indian Air Force, led by Jackie Shroff, unexpectedly arrives to help the Indian Army. It also showed how India had a tip-off about a Pakistani airstrike. In Alia Bhatt’s Raazi, the story continues along similar lines. However, in Sky Force, it is shown that Pakistani airstrikes also disrupted and destroyed several planes, leading to a pilot’s death.
Following this, Captain Ahuja’s team plans an attack on the Pakistani airbase in Sargodha, Punjab, which is known as India’s first airstrike. There, they destroy 11 state-of-the-art American fighter jets, crippling Pakistan’s air attack capabilities. Despite Vijaya not being present in the airstrike, his remarkable feat forces America’s top war experts to write and study it. However, in India’s eyes, he is seen as a reckless officer who mysteriously disappears.
Debutant Vir Pahadiya Deserves Praise For His Performance
The story emotionally progresses with his wife Geeta (Sara Ali Khan) waiting for him and Ahuja (Akshay Kumar) searching for him. Besides patriotism, the two strongest points of the movie are its emotional depth and some excellent air combat scenes. The music and lyrics add more emotions to the narrative. Talking about Vir Pahadiya, the newcomer has left a lasting impression. Despite being new, his acting shows depth. Watching his work, you can say that he’s a long-distance runner who has impressed right from his debut film. The most important point is that Vir Pahadiya worked alongside several big stars but delivered his role with sincerity and earned well-deserved praise.
Music and Screenplay
Tanishk Bagchi’s music, with lyrics by Manoj Muntashir and Irshad Kamil, emotionally connects the audience to the story. The screenplay also deserves praise, as it masterfully decides when and how much to reveal, when to delve into flashbacks, and how to maintain suspense, making it a crucial strategic element of the film.
Akshay, Veer, and Sara Deserve Praise
The director plays a significant role in bringing these characters together, but the performances of the star cast including Akshay, Veer, and Sara are commendable. Nimrat Kaur, playing Akshay’s wife, also does not disappoint. Sharad Kelkar, portraying the Pakistani officer, is exceptional as always. The dialogue and scenes between Sara and Akshay also drive the film forward. However, the most crucial aspect was bringing the story of the unsung hero to the screen—the first braveheart of the Air Force, who was awarded the Mahavir Chakra 23 years after his death.
Why You Should Watch It
This is a great opportunity to watch the story of an unsung hero on the big screen with your family on this Republic Day, amidst the patriotic atmosphere. Some may compare it to Hrithik and Deepika’s ‘Fighter’ from last year, but this film stands on its own.