Siddharth Anand’s recent directorial venture, “Fighter,” featuring Hrithik Roshan as an Indian Air Force (IAF) officer, faced a lukewarm response at the box office on its opening day. In a candid interview with Galatta Plus, Anand delved into the reasons behind the film’s moderate performance, attributing it to the uncharted territory for Indian viewers, where 90% of the population hasn’t experienced air travel.
The film, which hit theaters on January 25, showcases a new elite unit called Air Dragons, commissioned by the Air Headquarters to counteract militant activities in the Srinagar Valley. Despite its patriotic theme and Hrithik Roshan’s star power, “Fighter” struggled to meet the opening day expectations.
Anand acknowledged that “Fighter” represents a significant leap in filmmaking within the country, given its unique genre and lack of reference points for the audience. He expressed, “It’s a space that is unexplored and absolutely new. It has no reference point for the audience.” Anand emphasized the challenge in presenting such content to an audience unfamiliar with air travel, stating, “I am like, is this my film? I don’t know this. How do you expect them to know what’s happening in the air when a significant percentage of our country hasn’t flown in planes or been to an airport?”
Describing the film’s genre as a new and unfamiliar territory, Anand pointed out the initial disconnect felt by the audience, stating, “They felt like this is a little alien. There’s a certain initial disconnect like ‘Mujhe nahi pata ye kya hai (I do not know what is happening).'”
Despite the initial hesitation, Anand believes that once audiences step into the auditorium, they will recognize the film’s core as a basic, emotional, and quintessentially Indian story. He emphasized that “Fighter” appeals to the lowest common denominator with its emotional narrative, and the unfamiliarity with the genre was likely the cause of the initial hesitance.
“Fighter” is touted as a tribute to the sacrifice and patriotism of the Indian armed forces, providing a unique perspective on the challenges faced by a new elite unit. As the film continues its run in theaters, it remains to be seen whether Anand’s explanation sheds light on its performance, and if the Indian audience warms up to the unexplored realm of airborne action.
Sources By Agencies
