Sky Force, starring Akshay Kumar and Veer Pahariya, officially hit theatres on January 24. However, the film’s release was preceded by a cryptic post from Fighter director Siddharth Anand, leading to speculation that it may be directed at Sky Force and its comparisons to Fighter.
On January 23, Siddharth Anand shared a post on X (formerly Twitter) about ‘insecurities hitting new lows,’ which many interpreted as a subtle jab at Akshay Kumar’s latest film. Anand wrote, “Hahahaha!! Insecurity hits new lows! I feel so important today! Have faith in your own self! Come on, yo!! An old saying – Blowing off another candle won’t make yours burn brighter! But alas…”
While Anand did not directly mention Sky Force or its lead actor, the timing of the post and its content led to widespread speculation. Twitter users quickly linked the post to the ongoing comparisons between Fighter and Sky Force, both of which depict the Indian Air Force, albeit with different storylines. One review of Sky Force even remarked that it was ‘not another Fighter,’ a statement that some believe may have triggered Anand’s cryptic message.
Several Twitter users weighed in on the situation, with one comment reading, “Who will win the final battle? Fighter or Sky Force? Let’s wait for the lifetime BO.” Another comment likened Sky Force to other films, saying, “After watching the trailer, just felt like a copy of Ajay Devgan’s Bhuj and Hrithik’s Fighter!”
Many users deemed Anand’s post as an ‘unwarranted’ attack. One tweet read, “There’s bound to be a comparison when two movies share the same background. If one movie gets better reviews, have a big heart and appreciate it. Why be insecure?”
About Fighter
Siddharth Anand’s Fighter, which stars Deepika Padukone, Hrithik Roshan, and Anil Kapoor, opened to a lukewarm response but proved to be a box-office hit, grossing ₹358 crore worldwide. The fictionalized aerial action film centres around a rescue mission involving the Indian Air Force.
About Sky Force
Sky Force tells the untold story of bravery, honour, and patriotism, set against the backdrop of the 1965 Indo-Pakistan war. The film focuses on India’s retaliatory strike on Pakistan’s Sargodha airbase, marking India’s first and most significant airstrike. Directed by Abhishek Anil Kapur and Sandeep Kewlani, the film also stars Veer Pahariya in his acting debut, with Nimrat Kaur and Sara Ali Khan playing key roles. The movie is set to capture an important chapter in India’s military history.