Fri Jan 24 14:05:39 UTC 2025: ## Bollywood’s “Sky Force” Takes Flight, But Stumbles in the Execution
**CHENNAI, INDIA (January 24, 2025)** – The new Bollywood film “Sky Force,” a retelling of a pivotal 1965 Indo-Pakistan war air battle, has premiered to mixed reviews. While lauded for highlighting the largely unsung heroism of Squadron Leader Ajjmanda B Devaiah (fictionalised as Krishna Vijayan), the film is criticized for overshadowing its central protagonist with the star power of Akshay Kumar.
The film recreates the Sargodha air strike, India’s first air strike inside Pakistan, focusing on Devaiah’s crucial role in downing a superior Pakistani Starfighter with his Mystere jet. While the narrative mirrors the real-life obscurity of Devaiah’s contribution, which was only recognized decades later, the film’s execution is deemed uneven.
Akshay Kumar, playing Wing Commander O.P. Taneja (fictionalised as Kumar Om Ahuja), dominates the screen, overshadowing newcomer Veer Pahariya, who plays Devaiah. This imbalance, critics argue, diminishes the impact of Devaiah’s story and reduces the supporting characters, including the Pakistani pilot, to mere footnotes. The female characters also lack depth and screen time.
While the film’s visual effects, particularly the aerial combat sequences, are praised in parts, the repetitive nature of some scenes and the overwhelming focus on Akshay Kumar detract from the emotional core of the story. Although the final act, showcasing Devaiah’s bravery, is effective, it comes too late to fully compensate for the prior imbalance.
Despite its flaws, “Sky Force” is considered a welcome addition to the genre of nationalistic narratives, offering a glimpse into the courage and skill of the Indian Air Force during the 1965 war. However, the film’s uneven execution and overreliance on star power leave it ultimately less impactful than it could have been. “Sky Force” is currently playing in theaters.
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