Siddharth Anand Calls for Respect, Defying Fighter and Top Gun Comparisons
Siddharth Anand Urges Audiences to Respect ‘Fighter,’ Dismisses Unfair Comparisons with Top Gun
As the highly anticipated film “Fighter,” starring Hrithik Roshan as an Indian Air Force (IAF) officer, gears up for its theatrical release on January 25, director Siddharth Anand finds himself addressing comparisons with the Hollywood blockbuster franchise, Top Gun, featuring Tom Cruise. The unveiling of “Fighter’s” first look triggered a wave of reactions drawing parallels between the two aviation-centric films. In a recent interview with Zoom, Siddharth Anand acknowledged the inevitability of such comparisons, emphasizing the need for audiences to accord more respect to Indian cinema.
Siddharth Anand, addressing the comparisons, shared, “I think it is inevitable. As a filmmaker, you have to be prepared that if you make a film on planes they will call it Top Gun because they have no reference point, so they believe that we are not so creative, that we will do things that are a rip-off. We need to start looking at our films with a little bit more respect and not constantly believe that things are being ripped off. People do get inspired, even in the West, by content that is created in the East.”
The director highlighted the tendency to label Indian films as imitations and stressed the importance of altering this perception. The creative process involves inspiration, and Siddharth Anand urged audiences to appreciate the uniqueness that Indian cinema brings to the table.
Navigating the Complexity of Comparisons
Delving deeper into the comparisons, Siddharth Anand shared insights into the challenges of creating action sequences, acknowledging overlaps that occur in the global film landscape. He drew attention to instances where films he had worked on in the past bore similarities to later Western releases. However, he clarified that this doesn’t imply direct copying but rather a shared pool of action possibilities.
“I have many instances where… lately also where I did some sequences, and those sequences were similar to a film that came out later, a very, very big franchise film in the West. I am not saying they copied us. There’s no way they would copy us, so let’s be real. There are only that many things you can do in action, and there will be overlaps. You just got to do it with an X factor that makes it different. The Top Gun comparisons will be beaten to dust in the first 5 minutes,” Siddharth Anand emphasized.
“Fighter”: A Tribute to Indian Armed Forces
“Fighter” unfolds as a tribute to the sacrifice and patriotism of the Indian armed forces. The narrative revolves around a newly commissioned elite unit, Air Dragons, responding to militant activities in the Srinagar Valley. Positioned as a film with a profound theme, “Fighter” seeks to honor the valor of the armed forces while bringing a fresh perspective to the action genre.
As Siddharth Anand addresses comparisons with Top Gun, he not only underscores the inevitability of such associations but also encourages a shift in mindset. Indian cinema, he suggests, deserves a more respectful and nuanced evaluation that acknowledges the unique contributions it makes to the global cinematic landscape. As “Fighter” takes flight, the director invites audiences to experience the film’s distinctiveness and embrace the creative spirit that sets it apart.
At its core, “Fighter” goes beyond being a mere action film. Positioned as a tribute to the sacrifice and patriotism of the Indian armed forces, the narrative unfolds with the introduction of Air Dragons, a new elite unit responding to challenges in the Srinagar Valley. The film, produced in collaboration with Viacom18 Studios and Marflix Pictures, encapsulates a profound theme that sets it apart in the action genre.
As the director dismisses Top Gun comparisons, he reinforces that “Fighter” possesses an X factor that distinguishes it within the first five minutes. Anand invites audiences to witness the film’s unique storytelling, urging them to embrace the distinctiveness that Indian cinema brings to the table.
In the evolving landscape of Indian cinema, Siddharth Anand emerges not just as a filmmaker but as a visionary advocate for the respect and recognition of indigenous creative expressions. “Fighter” becomes a canvas for Anand’s vision, transcending comparisons and inviting audiences to appreciate the cinematic journey unfolding on January 25.
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