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Revealed - The true story that inspired Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone's Fighter

Here's a look at the true story that has inspired the plot of Siddharth Anand 's aerial action film, Fighter, which stars Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone in lead roles.

Reema Chhabda

Jan 27, 2024

Fighter

Fighter has become the talk of the town for several reasons. It is not only Deepika and Hrithik Roshan's first film together, but its patriotic theme seems to have struck a chord with audiences. But did you know that Fighter is based on a true story?

What's the plot of Fighter?

If you've watched Fighter in theatres, you may already be aware that the movie's narrative was inspired by the actual account of Pakistan's 2019 assaults on India. The movie centres on a group of elite IAF pilots who band together in the face of impending peril. The movie discusses how IAF pilots had the upper hand over terrorists and makes references to the 2019 Pulwama incident, the 2019 Balakot airstrike, and the 2019 India-Pakistan border conflicts.

The true events that inspired Fighter

The film's story is by writer and former army officer Ramon Chibb. As part of his preparation for the role, Hrithik Roshan spent time with pilots and cadets at the Air Force training academy in Telangana. Real-life Indian Air Force cadets contributed to the movie as well, providing information about the attacks, the Air Force squad, and how they operate.

Also read: Fighter box office collection Day 2 - Hrithik Roshan-Deepika Padukone’s action film witnesses a jump, earns ₹39 crore

The Pulwama Attacks

A suicide bombing took place on February 14, 2019, in Pulwama, the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir. More than 40 personnel of the Indian Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were killed when an Indian paramilitary convoy was targeted. The assailant was a member of the Pakistani extremist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), which took credit for the attack. The incident heightened tensions between Pakistan and India, prompting the Indian government to take firm action. Fighter's storyline heavily draws from the actual events of this tragedy.

The Balakot Airstrike

On February 26, 2019, India launched an airstrike against what it claimed to be a terrorist training camp in Balakot, Pakistan, in retaliation for the Pulwama assault. Claiming to have carried out a preemptive, non-military, anti-terrorism operation, the Indian Air Force claimed to have seriously damaged the JeM camp. This marked a significant escalation of tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. The plot of Hrithik Roshan's film Fighter is influenced by the genuine accounts of how Indian Air Force soldiers fought during these difficult times.

Border clashes between India and Pakistan

The military clashes between India and Pakistan following the Pulwama assault and the ensuing Balakot airstrike are referred to as the 2019 India-Pakistan border skirmishes. The de facto boundary in the disputed Kashmir area, the Line of Control (LoC), is where these skirmishes took place. On February 27, 2019, Pakistan launched airstrikes across the Line of Control in retaliation for the Balakot Airstrike. An Indian MiG-21 aircraft was shot down during the aerial combat, and Pakistani forces apprehended Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, the aircraft's pilot. Tensions between the two nations further increased as a result of this.

On March 1, 2019, as a show of goodwill, Pakistan freed the Indian pilot detained by them, which resulted in a decrease in the hostilities. Diplomatic tensions lingered between India and Pakistan even as the direct military hostilities subsided. Both nations persisted in accusing one another of aiding terrorists, and the Kashmir dispute remained a subject of contention.

Fighter review

From the moment its eye-catching trailer was released, Siddharth Anand's Fighter has been making waves in the film industry and enthralling audiences. The film has gained immense popularity because of its amazing aerial sequences, fantastic background score, and exceptional chemistry between the stars. Fighter is not just a visually stunning film but also a story to be known.

Also read: Fighter review: Aerial excellence in the Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone-starrer overcomes formulaic storytelling

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