There is no dearth of nationalistic films in Bollywood and the latest addition to this category is Sandeep Kewlani and Abhishek Anil Kapur’s Sky Force. Based on real events, the film stars Akshay Kumar as Wing Commander K O Ahuja, who is on a quest to uncover the fate of his mission pilot, T Vijaya (played by debutant Veer Pahariya). While Sky Force fits within this genre, it stands out for several reasons. We list down some of the reasons that set Sky Force apart and make it a must-watch.
An Untold Story of a Brave Pilot
We have seen films depicting the heroism of the Indian Army but there aren’t many based on the valour of the Indian Air Force pilots. Sky Force sheds light on the bravery of one of our lesser-known heroes, Ajjamada Boppayya Devayya (the inspiration for T. Vijaya, played by Veer). Set against the backdrop of the 1965 Indo-Pakistan War, the film tells the story of how the Indian Air Force targets Pakistan’s Sargodha base. T Vijaya, a skillful yet rule defying pilot, goes against the orders of his superiors and flies to the battle field to protect his fellow pilots. Tragically, he goes missing in action. The film shows how his mentor and superior Ahuja leaves no stone unturned to uncover what happened to him.
Patriotism sans jingoism
Striking the right balance between patriotism and chest-thumping nationalism is a delicate task and the makers of Sky Force have navigated it well. The film captures the fervour of nationalism without resorting to jingoism. The film’s beauty lues in the human portrayal of all soldiers, regardless of which side of the border they are on. Pakistani pilot Amjad Hussain (Sharad Kelkar) plays an important role in helping India uncover the truth about Vijaya’s disappearance, showing that there can be dignity and respect even in rivalry. Indians and Pakistanis don’t have to be at each other’s throats all the time and Sky Force reminds us that.
Akshay Kumar in His Element
Who doesn’t enjoy seeing Mr Khiladi in action?
Yes, this is not the first time we are seeing Akshay Kumar in a patriotic film standing up for his nation but every time he is on screen, you are glued to the screen. He delivers a powerful performance. He will go to any lengths to protect his team and some of the moments are whistle-worthy.
Aerial combat
It might not be on par with action and combat scenes shown in Hollywood but the aerial combat scenes in Sky Force are thrilling. You feel the anxiety of the pilots and their victory as well. The scenes keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
Veer’s impressive debut
The list would be incomplete without a mention of Veer Pahariya who makes his debut with this film. Sky Force revolves around his character T Vijaya and his internal and external struggles. Any flaw in his portrayal could have broken the connect with the audience, but he successfully captures the audience’s attention and makes them feel empathy for him. Additionally, his scenes with Sara Ali Khan who plays his wife, too strike a chord.
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