"This film is in complete conjunction with the IAF."
Siddharth Anand opened up about how he feels regarding the legal action that Fighter (2024) faced.
The objection arose from a notice apparently filed by Wing Commander Saumya Deep Das, an officer in the Indian Air Force.
The notice brought up a kissing scene between the two lead characters Shamsher ‘Patty’ Pathania (Hrithik Roshan) and Minal ‘Minni’ Rathore (Deepika Padukone).
According to Bollywood Hungama, Siddharth Anand clarified that the film was made in collaboration and was reviewed in detail by the IAF.
The filmmaker also highlighted that Fighter received no cuts or hurdles from the censor board of Indian cinema. Siddharth explained:
“I am glad to answer this question. This film is in complete conjunction with the IAF.
“IAF has been a co-collaborator on the film and has been a huge associate partner on our film.
“This film has gone through meticulous procedures with the IAF, right from the submission of the script to the production planning, viewing the film before the censor saw it on the censor board, watching it again at the IAF, reviewing the film after the censor, and then giving us a physical copy of the NOC No Objection Certificate.
“After that, we got the certificate. We got the censor certificate.
“Then, we showed the entire film to everyone in the Air Force, including the Air Force Chief, Mr. Chaudhary, and over 100 Air Marshals from across the country.
“We called them and hosted a screening for them one day before the film’s release in Delhi, and they gave us a standing ovation.”
The director’s words indicated an asymmetrical situation in which a particular officer seemingly objected to something that was passed by the entire Air Force.
The notice, allegedly by Das, read:
“By utilising this sacred symbol for a scene promoting personal romantic entanglements, the film grossly misrepresents its inherent dignity and devalues the profound sacrifices made by countless officers in service of our nation.
“Moreover, it normalises inappropriate behaviour in uniform, setting a dangerous precedent that undermines the moral and ethical standards expected from those entrusted with safeguarding our borders.
“Kissing in uniform, on a runway which comes under the purview of a technical area, while portrayed as romantic, is considered grossly inappropriate and unbecoming of an IAF officer.
“As it contradicts the high standards of discipline and decorum expected from them.”
Fighter was released on January 25, 2024. Although it was commended for its visual effects, the film received polarising reactions for its storyline.
The film has currently earned Rs. 302 crores (£29 million) worldwide. It has surprisingly been experiencing severe drops in collection in India.
Meanwhile, on the work front, Siddharth Anand reportedly will begin working on Tiger vs Pathaan, which reunites Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan onscreen.
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