Sky Force Movie Review: Akshay Kumar's impressive performance and Veer Pahariya's excellent debut make this patriotic film a must watch

Movie's Plot

Sky Force begins with India capturing a Pakistani pilot named Ahmed (Sharad Kelkar) in 1971 when the Indian air base is suddenly attacked by Pakistani Air Force.

India Air Force's Group Captain K O Ahuja, played by Akshay Kumar (whose character is based on O.P. Taneja Veer Chakra), is informed about the capture of Pakistani pilot Ahmed. He arrives to interrogate the captured Pakistani pilot, and during the interrogation he comes to know that Ahmed was awarded for assassinating an Indian Air Force officer during the 1965 Sargodha attack.

The story then shifts to a flashback set in 1965, where Squadron Wing Commandar Ahuja is stationed at the Adampur airbase, accompanied by his team, including youngster T Vijaya (a fictionalised portrayal of Ajjamada Boppayya Devayya Mahavir Chakra, played by debutant Veer Pahariya) and others.

T. K. Vijaya, aka Tabby, is always called out by seniors for breaking protocols, but he is a very sharp pilot and a diehard patriotic. Tabby, who is always ready to sacrifice his life for his country, says, 'Desh ke liye jaan jati bhi hai toh shadat kehlati hai, suicide nahi.'

Ashok shares a brotherly bond with Tabby, seeing in him a reflection of his late brother Monu. In turn, Tabby regards Ashok Ahuja as a mentor and holds him in high regard.

Ashok is informed by his Commanding Officer David Lawrence (played by Manish Chaudhari) that Pakistan has 12 Starstriker Airplanes gifted to the neighboring country by the US, and that has made the Pakistani Air Force very powerful. As a result, India stands a minimal chance in front of them.

David asks Ashok Ahuja to conduct a recce with another officer from his squadron, flying their fighter planes, as Pakistan appears to be preparing for something significant. Ashok then asks Lawrence if they can cross the border to assess the situation.

During the recce, Ashok Ahuja and Tabby spot weapons and artillery along the Pakistan border. Though they come under attack by Pakistani forces, Tabby successfully manages to take pictures of the weapons.

Ashok shares the pictures with his senior and asks him to allow them to launch an air strike on Pakistan, but he is asked to stay on standby as India is a peaceloving nation. But by evening, Pakistan Air Force launches an air strike on Adampur base, killing many IAF officers and destroying our planes. That's when the Indian government decides to retaliate and attack Pakistan.

Ashok Ahuja then suggests attacking Sargodha air base in Pakistan, as it is in the central part of Pakistan and its most secure air base. They name the mission Sky Force.Though Lawrence sees it as a risky mission, Ahuja manages to convince him with the strategy, and they plan to go ahead with their air strikes.

Ahuja forms four teams for the mission, but David orders Pilot Tabby to be kept on standby. The mission is completed successfully, and all the officers return to their bases. However, Ahuja soon realizes that Tabby, who had stayed behind, did something significant that ultimately led to the success of the mission.

Tabby goes missing in action, and Ashok embarks on a new mission to uncover Tabby’s crucial contribution to India's first airstrike. And it becomes his mission to find out about Tabby's whereabouts. He also wants to know: did Tabby play a key role in India’s retaliatory attack on Pakistan’s Sargodha airbase? To find out, you'll need to watch Sky Force on the big screen.

What works for SkyForce

The storyline and tight performances of its lead actors—Akshay Kumar and newcomer Veer Pahariya. Akshay Kumar shines as Group Captain Ahuja, delivering a stellar performance that showcases his action hero chops and vulnerability.

Veer Pahariya as Sqdn Ldr T Vijaya makes a promising debut, holding his own alongside superstar and seasoned actor Akshay Kumar.

The film's aerial sequences are breathtaking, with cinematographer Santhana Krishnan Ravichandran capturing the intensity and danger of fights.

The sound design and music by Tanishk Bagchi perfectly complement the action, amplifying the tension and emotional impact. B Parak's soul-stirring song 'Maaye' makes you emotional, and it is a perfect addition to your list of patriotic songs.

Balancing act 

Director Sandeep Kewlani and Abhishek Anil Kapur balance action and drama seamlessly, exploring themes of patriotism, sacrifice, and loyalty.

The film's attention to historical detail and research is impressive, making it a must-watch for fans of war dramas.

Performances by female leads Nimrat Kaur and Sara Ali Khan, along with actor Sharad Kelkar, add depth to the narrative.

Final Verdict

Overall, Sky Force is a gripping and inspiring film that will leave you feeling patriotic and emotional ahead of our Republic Day.

With its impressive action sequences, strong performances, and historical significance, it's a must-watch for fans of Akshay Kumar and war dramas.

Sky Force is produced by Dinesh Vijan and Amar Kaushik under Maddock Films, and Jyoti Deshpande under Jio Studios.

Rating: 4/5 stars