3 Stars
By Aditi Giri
There’s something so fascinating to see fighter planes soaring high up in the sky, with all the desi pride and power. Well, it amazes me to see how often Bollywood has brought these stories from the pages of history, mostly unheard, but definitely unsung by many.
This Republic Day, Akshay Kumar gifted his fans with a perfect patriotic watch ‘Skyforce’. Helmed by Abhishek Anil Kapoor, produced by Maddock Films, the aviation drama is a visual treat boasting all things momentous and patriotism, coupled with stunning aerial sequences and a heartfelt tribute to India’s Air Force warriors.
Set against the backdrop of India’s first airstrike during the 1965 Indo-Pak war, SkyForce centres around the Sargoda air base attack. The film also marked the debut of actor Veer Pahariya who essayed the role of Squadron Leader Ajjamada Boppayya Devayya MVC. Sara Ali Khan and Nimrat Kaur play pivotal roles in the film.
Veer does deliver a promising debut and brings in the right amount of charm, sensibility and rebelliousness, while Akshay Kumar, as always brings in a lot of depth and conviction with his part. Their onscreen brotherly bond and shared determination, is an absolute delight and they light up every frame with poise. Sara Ali Khan, stays true her self, and brings the innocence in her role. She is fragile, naive and definitely adds a good layer to the film. Nimrat Kaur, despite the short screen time, delivers her part with perfection. Even though she didn’t have much to contribute, there was something so nostalgic and comforting seeing her chemistry with Akshay Kumar as their pairing in Airlift was a complete win for the viewers.
All in all, SkyForce can be labelled as a pleasant patriotic film, and deserves to be a part of your Republic Day watchlist to revel in the glory of our nation’s pride and courage. The film ain’t too heavy on the head, and the short run time, and crisp writing, keeps the viewers on the edge.