As Hrithik Roshan-Deepika Padukone starrer Fighter is all set to release on January 25, we spoke to trade experts to find out what are their views on the film and their opening day predictions.
Trade veteran Taran Adarsh said, “The advance is good enough and from the initial trends, the buzz seems positive. Also, January 26 is a national holiday. Hence, Fighter will have the advantage not just on the release day – January 25 – but also on January 26. Hence, it’ll be a healthy opening weekend.”
He added, “The trailer for me was a turning point in a very positive way. The dialogues are directly aimed at the masses who love such patriotic flicks. That’ll be a big advantage.”
Raj Bansal, the owner of Entertainment Paradise in Jaipur and a distributor in North India, listed out factors that have worked in Fighter’s favour, “Firstly, the makers have given the film a patriotic flavour. Secondly, Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone together are looking very good. Thirdly, the Pakistan dialogues are over the top but will work by looking at the mood of the nation. The Sania Mirza episode has only strengthened the anti-Pakistani sentiment.”
Taran Adarsh further said, “An aerial action film of this kind has not been witnessed before in Bollywood. There have been films on Air Force before; I am not denying that. Tejas was released recently. But this film’s scale is massive. And Siddharth Anand is an out-and-out commercial filmmaker.”
He also talked highly of the much-awaited collaboration of Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone on screen for the first time, “It is like sone pe suhaga. A pairing like that complimented by Anil Kapoor in a pivotal role enhances the craze for the film.”
Girish Johar, producer and film business analyst, however, stated, “The buzz is below par, considering that it stars Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone. Nevertheless, it’ll get a flying start.” He continued, “The songs have not become chartbusters. Had the songs been talked about, then things would have been different for Fighter. Apart from that, I don’t think there’s anything else (that has gone wrong). The trailer has been well-received.”
Vishek Chauhan owner of Roopbani Cinema in Purnia, Bihar, agreed, “Advances theek thaak hai. It’s not as much as we had expected, especially since it stars Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone and is Siddharth Anand’s next after Pathaan. The scale is also there in the film. But the kind of sales that was there for Jawan, Pathaan, Gadar 2 and Animal are missing.”
When asked why the advance booking isn’t that encouraging, he opined, “Fighter is based on the defence forces. There was an old film, Haqeeqat (1964), based on the Indo-China war of 1962. Border (1997), which created mass hysteria, was based on the Battle of Longewala of 1971. Uri – The Surgical Strike (2019) was also successful, and it was about the surgical strike. So, when you base such films on an actual incident rather than a fictionalized event, it resonates more as the audience has a reference point. Otherwise, the film can suffer. For example, Sunny Deol’s Maa Tujhe Salaam (2002) and Akshay Kumar-Amitabh Bachchan-Bobby Deol’s Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo (2004). I totally get what Siddharth Anand is trying to do though with Fighter. But people need to know what the film is about before they step into the theatre.”
He even emphasized, “Also, Fighter is not a sequel or part of any franchise. Lastly, it’s been a while since Hrithik did a full-on commercial film. His last such film was War (2019). Except for this film and Bang Bang (2014), everything else he did was niche and urban. That cinema is pretty much dead. Even Aamir Khan felt the pinch with Laal Singh Chaddha (2022) and the same applies to Akshay Kumar and Ayushmann Khurrana.”
Vishek then said, “The ‘India occupied Pakistan’ is a great line but hasn’t translated as intended as Hrithik doesn’t have that massy image. He has never been seen in such a zone. Agar yehi line Sunny Deol ya Salman Khan ne bola hota, toh aag lag gayi hoti.”
Vishek Chauhan also groused that Siddharth Anand’s films are getting repetitive, “All his films will have a song between the hero and heroine on a beach, be it Bang Bang, War, Pathaan or Fighter. They have even been shot in a similar manner. The same happens with his dance numbers. All these factors have been holding the film from opening with a bang. But if Fighter turns out to be a solid entertainer, the collections will skyrocket on January 26.”
Trade analyst Atul Mohan didn’t mince words as he said, “The advance is not much. The trailer’s response is okay. Usually, songs in Siddharth Anand’s are chartbusters. But Fighter’s songs haven’t worked.”
He even said, “The marketing team got lazy. It seems like they felt that ‘Film mein Hrithik Roshan aur Siddharth Anand hai. Toh apna toh kuch kaam hi nahin hai abhi. Apne aap picture garam ho jaayegi’.” Atul then remarked, “The Ram Mandir inauguration will also impact as the enthusiasm for it will go on for a week. It won’t subside so easily.”
Impact of 3D IMAX formats
Many Hindi biggies in recent times have been released in the IMAX format like Pathaan, Jawan, Animal etc. Fighter is no exception and moreover, it also has a 3D version. When asked whether that would benefit, Taran Adarsh answered, “It has its advantages. As far as IMAX is concerned, it’s a big-screen entertainer (and hence, it works well for the film). But as far as 3D is concerned, we need to see the film to ascertain whether it warrants a 3D version. In the past, certain films didn’t require a 3D version and yet, were converted into 3D. Hence, let’s wait. In case of Fighter, if they have taken the decision to release it in 3D, they must have thought about it.”
Vishek Chauhan agreed, “Audience prefers 3D. If I play a show in 3D and also in 2D, 70% of the audience would prefer the former. Also, 3D means more money and hence, even exhibitors prefer the format.”
Atul Mohan disagreed, “I don’t think it benefits much as a lot will people are not comfortable with the format as it strains their eyes.”
Girish Johar noted, “It’s more of a premium format offering. It appeals more in the top 10 cities. In tier 2 and 3 cities, I doubt 3D version will release widely. Even if it does, the impact might not be huge due to the lack of maintenance. Again, it all depends on the film. If the youth and kids love it, then it can benefit the film by 10%.”
Raj Bansal opined, “The only 3D Hindi film which had an added advantage was Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior (2020). Otherwise, 3D doesn’t help most of the Hindi films. People prefer 2D mostly. With 3D, one tends to drift from the main story.”
More Pages: Fighter Box Office Collection , Fighter Movie Review
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