Sky Force (2025): A Stirring Tribute to Unsung Heroes

Sky Force (2025: A Stirring Tribute to Unsung Heroes Under direction of Sandeep Kewlani and Abhishek Anil Kapur, Sky Force is an engaging battle drama exploring a less-known period of Indian military history. Filmed against the backdrop of the 1965 Indo-Pak conflict, it follows the Indian Air Force’s bold airstrike on Pakistan’s Sargodha airbase, therefore representing India’s first aerial intervention against its neighbour. Apart from its technical mastery and emotional essence, Sky Force excels in piqueing interest on military history of India. It not only serves as a reminder of national pride and sacrifice but also highlights actual heroes who are sometimes overlooked in daily life.

This interwoven narrative lends long-lasting effect. Akshay Kumar’s Wing Commander K.O. Ahuja forms the core of the story. Played by debutant Veer Pahariya, Ahuja is a firm leader who guides the young and rebellious Squadron Leader T.K. ‘Tabby’. Ahuja sets off a persistent 19-year search to find Tabby lost on a solo mission, negotiating personal conflict and governmental obstacles along the way.

Delivering a subtle performance that captures the weight and emotional depth needed for the part is Akshay Kumar. His performance of Ahuja catches the inner struggle of a leader divided between obligation and personal grief. Though their relationship should have been developed further, Kumar’s chemistry with Nimrat Kaur, who portrays his supporting wife, gives the story some warmth.

As Tabby, Veer Pahariya makes a great debut adding vitality and charm to the part. It is reasonable and poignant how he changed from a headstrong pilot to a sacrifice icon. Pahariya is a remarkable actor who should be seen going forward.Strong performances by the supporting actors—Sara Ali Khan as Tabby’s pregnant wife and Sharad Kelkar as a Pakistani pilot—help to increase the emotional resonance of the film. While Kelkar accentuates common humanity beyond enemy lines, Khan captures the agony of a woman caught between hope and despair. Technically, Sky Force shines in capturing aerial combat.

Carefully planned, the dogfight scenes envelop spectators in the suspense and stakes of the missions. Sharp sound design and the visual effects help to improve the realism of the action. While editor A. Sreekar Prasad guarantees a strict narrative flow, cinematographer Santhana Krishnan Ravichandran catches the grandeur of the heavens.

The soundtrack of the movie, written by Tanishk Bagchi with Justin Varghese providing a background score, enhances the narrative quite successfully. Songs like “Maaye” and the inclusion of Lata Mangeshkar’s “Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon inspire patriotism and nostalgia, hence improving the emotional effect of the movie. The movie reminds us very movingly of the sacrifices made by people in uniform and by their families.

Although Sky Force is a great effort, it is not without faults. With a conventional approach devoid of the force of the later half, the first half of the movie finds difficult engagement. Some airborne sequences could arouse déjà vu, evocative of past war films.Certain character arcs—especially the supporting ones—could also have been delved into.Notwithstanding these flaws,Sky Force distinguishes itself for its fair representation of patriotism, free from overt sensationalism or animosity.It honours unsung heroes like Squadron Leader Ajjamada Boppayya Devayya, whose bravery reflects in Tabby’s character.

The movie reminds us very movingly of the sacrifices made by people in uniform and by their families. All things considered, Sky Force pays moving respect to the bravery and fortitude of India’s Air Force pilots. It’s a movie worth seeing with great performers, intense action scenes, and sincere narrative.

Sky Force:Review

Rating: 3.5/5

Source: The Times OF India