Star Cast: Akshay Kumar, Veer Pahariya, Sara Ali Khan, Nimrat Kaur
Directors: Sandeep Kewlani, Abhishek Anil Kapur
Language: Hindi
Available On: Theatrical Release
Runtime: 125 minutes
What’s Good: Strong performances, especially by Akshay Kumar and Veer Pahariya, with a well-portrayed camaraderie between their characters. The second half builds interest, and some combat sequences are impressively shot. The tribute to real-life officers is heartfelt.
What’s Bad: Some dialogues and scenes feel overly preachy, emotional moments don’t resonate deeply, Sara Ali Khan’s character is underutilized, and the chemistry among IAF officers could have been better. The songs fail to connect.
Loo Break: A misplaced dance number in the first half makes for a good time to take a break.
Watch or Not?: Akshay Kumar’s fans might enjoy this one, but it could easily have been an OTT release.
Review:
“Sky Force,” directed by Sandeep Kewlani and Abhishek Anil Kapur, is an earnest effort to honor the Indian Air Force, celebrating the bravery, sacrifice, and patriotism of the armed forces. Despite the strong premise, the film struggles to avoid the pitfalls of preachiness, with some dialogues and scenes feeling forced, and the overarching “Deshbhakti” theme veering into jingoism at times.
The movie is based on the real-life events of the 1965 Indo-Pak war, centering around the Tiger Squadron’s airstrike on the Pakistan Air Force in Sargodha. Akshay Kumar plays Squadron Leader Kumar Om Ahuja, a no-nonsense officer who acts as both mentor and elder brother to a younger IAF officer, TK Vijaya (Veer Pahariya). However, when Tabby defies orders to embark on a dangerous mission and goes missing, Ahuja embarks on a mission to find him.
While the storyline holds promise, it is let down by its preachy tone and underdeveloped character arcs. Akshay Kumar’s Ahuja, though delivering a solid performance, brings little that feels new or innovative compared to his previous patriotic roles. Veer Pahariya shines in his debut, capturing both intensity and vulnerability, while Sara Ali Khan is reduced to playing the worried wife with little scope for growth. The camaraderie between the squadron members could have been explored more deeply.
The second half picks up as the mystery around Tabby’s disappearance unfolds, adding some intrigue, but the conclusion becomes predictable. Sharad Kelkar’s role as a prisoner of war feels underwritten, leaving potential unexplored.
Star Performances:
Akshay Kumar delivers a commendable performance but feels like a repeat of his past patriotic roles. Veer Pahariya, making his debut, brings intensity and depth to his role, standing out as one of the highlights of the film. Sara Ali Khan’s character is underutilized, and Nimrat Kaur makes a brief but solid cameo appearance.
Direction & Music:
The aerial combat scenes are well-executed, and the research into military aircraft is evident, showcasing the technical side of the IAF. The background score complements the action, but the songs fail to make an impact and feel repetitive from other similar-themed films.
The Last Word:
“Sky Force” had the potential to make a lasting impact, but its preachy tone and predictable storyline hold it back. However, Veer Pahariya’s strong debut performance is worth noting. If you’re a fan of Akshay Kumar, you might find some enjoyment here, but overall, the film falls short of its potential.
