India and Pakistan have a long history of political, military, and cultural rivalry, which has often been reflected in the cinema of both countries. However, in recent years, some Indian filmmakers have resorted to making movies that depict Pakistan and its people in a negative and hostile light, hoping to cash in on the patriotic sentiments of the Indian audience. But this strategy seems to have backfired, as many of these movies have failed to impress the critics or the viewers, and have faced legal challenges and controversies.
One such movie is ‘Fighter’, a romantic action thriller starring Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone as Indian Air Force officers who fall in love while fighting against Pakistani terrorists. The movie, directed by Siddharth Anand and produced by Yash Raj Films, was released on January 25th, 2024, to coincide with India’s 75th Republic Day celebrations. However, the movie received mixed reviews from the critics, who criticized the weak plot, poor execution, and unrealistic portrayal of the Indian Air Force. The movie also faced a legal notice from an Indian Air Force officer, Soumya Deep Das, who alleged that the movie demeaned and negatively impacted the Indian Air Force and its officers, by showing unethical scenes among them that tarnished the image of the institution. Das also argued that the movie insulted the Indian Air Force and undermined the sacrifices of the Indian officers, by creating a wrongful perception globally.
The movie also failed to attract a significant audience, as it was overshadowed by other releases and faced competition from the Pakistani film industry, which has been producing quality movies that appeal to the masses. According to the box office reports, ‘Fighter’ only managed to earn around Rs. 50 crore in India, and Rs. 10 crore overseas, making it a flop. The movie also faced a ban in Pakistan, due to its anti-Pakistan theme and content.
This is not the first time that an Indian movie against Pakistan has backfired at the box office. In the past, movies like ‘Phantom’, ‘Tiger Zinda Hai’, ‘Uri: The Surgical Strike’, and ‘Raazi’ have also faced similar issues, such as legal troubles, bans, protests, and poor performance. These movies have been accused of promoting Islamophobia, distorting history, glorifying violence, and spreading propaganda. Some critics have also pointed out that these movies lack originality, creativity, and diversity, and rely on stereotypes, cliches, and jingoism.
It seems that the Indian filmmakers need to rethink their strategy of making movies against Pakistan, and focus on more realistic, nuanced, and balanced stories that can resonate with the audience and the critics. Instead of exploiting the India-Pakistan conflict for commercial gains, they should explore the human aspects of the relationship, and the potential for peace and cooperation. Such movies can not only be more entertaining and engaging, but also more meaningful and impactful.