Sky Force Review: Thrilling Stance On Nationalism, But Fails Its Female Characters

Bollywood's previous year's Republic Day gift, Fighter, zoomed in and crossed off several patriotic movie boxes: brave Indian fighter pilots battling their favorite enemy, Pakistan, displaying solidarity and bravery. This year's film, Sky Force, shares many of the same elements. Still, it is a flimsy retelling of a true story from the Indo-Pak War in 1965 in which a squadron destroyed a fleet of modern American jets stationed at the Pakistani base Sargodha. Sky Force fictionalizes general details from military history to create maximum dramatic impact. The film, directed by Abhishek Anil Kapur and Sandeep Kewlani, only really shines in the second half.

In an operation dubbed 'Sky Force', a squadron destroyed a fleet of contemporary American jets stationed at the Pakistani base Sargodha during the 1965 Indo-Pak War. This is a thinly disguised version of the actual event. The film is based on a true story about a pilot on standby during a critical operation who defied his leader's orders by taking off in an unfit aircraft. His skill and daring were crucial in saving his brother pilots' lives.

Less Jingoism and More Dignity—Serving Both As a Strength And a Weakness Of the Movie

The war movie transitions into an investigative drama in which the main character travels the globe in search of information and hints. A new chapter is added to the tale of the Sargodha strike, and the case of a missing pilot who has been forgotten for almost twenty years is reopened. During the India-Pakistan war for Bangladesh's liberation, Sky Force debuted in December 1971. In Indian territory, Sharad Kelkar, a seasoned Pakistani fighter pilot, is shot down. The Geneva Conventions' provisions are applied, and the POW is given the highest respect. Wing Commander Ahuja asserts that "enmity exists among adversaries." We no longer hear these words in Bollywood war films. 

Sky Force emphasizes the dignity of warriors and humans, whether they are allies or enemies, in a time when violence is the norm rather than the exception, a little bit of conventional jingoism also makes an appearance. Although Kelkar may be an enemy, his understanding of the value of family values lends his character a hint of nobility. While most patriotic movies contain some political chest-thumping, this one subtly criticizes the government for allowing pilots to fight in antiquated aircraft and for dragging its bureaucratic feet when swift action was needed. 

One of Sky Force's strengths and weaknesses is its subtle nationalism, which avoids inciting viewers to react in a predetermined hate-the-enemy manner.

Female Characters Sidelined—Revealing Weak Plotlines and Narration 

In the first half, Sky Force frequently gets caught up in the minutiae. In an abundance of computer-generated air combat scenes, it becomes disoriented. It shows little understanding of what is crucial to the plot during this tiresome section. The majority of it is either too blustery or too blurry. The story focuses on the mentor-protégé relationship between an adventurous Indian Air Force officer named Om Ahuja (played by Akshay Kumar) and a youthful, eager fighter pilot named T. Krishna Vijaya (played by debutant Veer Pahariya), who tends to follow his instincts more than his superiors' orders. 

It doesn't go into great detail about the personality clash and the two opposing ways of answering the call of duty. It focuses on much less important things, like the two men's impacted swag, for example. Until the pregnant wife of one of the two fighter pilots encounters the human cost of war, the human story that revolves around their families is given minimal attention.

 Audio and outrage, reduced by the thrill, take up half of Sky Force's running time. Because it isn't adequately tempered with elements that could help the film cut deeply and sharpen the edges, the visceral thrust fails. Too much time is spent by Sky Force attempting to prove that adage beyond a reasonable doubt. Although that goal is accomplished, not much of what the characters say to one another is heard over the background noise.

Amid the bombast, it is revealed that Ahuja lost his pilot brother in battle and has a wife (Nimrat Kaur).The wife of Flying Officer Vijaya, Geeta (played by Sara Ali Khan), is expecting a child. The couple is certain that a girl will be born. The women here remain limited to their roles as wives, which together form the concept of domestication and family. If the women weren't so inconsequential, Sky Force would have turned out to be a better film.

Insignificant Character Depths: The pivotal Stance Is Only Given to Akshay Kumar

Cast as a tough and courageous IAF officer tasked with commanding Squadron 1, the oldest squadron in the force, Akshay Kumar transforms into a detective who is determined to learn the fate of the exceptionally talented and innovative pilot he trained and mentored. The quest and its conclusion give the movie much-needed emotional momentum. But it comes much too late, which detracts greatly from the overall impact of the film's big reveal at the end. 

Since the real story that inspired Sky Force is public knowledge, no revelation can surprise us. An improved build-up would have changed things. The acting is good, but Sky Force is inconsistent. This story of unwavering bravery in the face of certain death is not adequately depicted in the movie. Primarily because the film's protagonist, Akshay Kumar, always takes precedence over the valiant pilot T. Vijaya (real name AB Devayya), played by debutant Veer Pahariya, who should have been the protagonist of this story.


Views expressed are the author's own.