Sky Force is a war drama inspired by real events from the 1965 India-Pakistan war. Directed by Sandeep Kewlani and Abhishek Anil Kapur, the film combines historical details with fictionalized storytelling to deliver an emotional and action-packed experience. While it has its moments, the film struggles with consistency and balance.

• Ratings - 3/5
• Cast - Akshay Kumar, Veer Pahariya, Sara Ali Khan
• Director - Abhishek Anil Kapur, Sandeep Kewlani

Story and Themes

The story follows Squadron 1, India’s oldest Air Force squadron, as they undertake a daring mission to strike Pakistan’s airbase in Sargodha. The plot focuses on the mentor-protégé relationship between Om Ahuja (Akshay Kumar), a seasoned officer, and T. Krishna Vijaya (Veer Pahariya), a young and impulsive fighter pilot.

The movie explores themes of bravery, sacrifice, and the emotional toll of war on soldiers and their families. However, it often prioritizes loud action sequences over deeper character development.

Strengths

1. Second Half: The film picks up momentum in the second half, offering emotional depth as Ahuja searches for his lost protégé. This section also showcases the human cost of war more effectively.
2. Historical Context: The depiction of India's challenges in 1965, using older aircraft against Pakistan's superior fleet, adds authenticity to the narrative.
3. Short Runtime: At 125 minutes, the film avoids the excessive length typical of many war movies.

Weaknesses

1. First Half: The initial part of the movie is dominated by over-the-top CGI air battles, which feel repetitive and lack emotional weight.
2. Sound Design: The loud background score and poorly mixed audio make dialogues hard to follow.
3. Underdeveloped Characters: The families of the two pilots are given little screen time, which limits the film’s emotional impact.
4. Inconsistent Storytelling: The film shifts between war drama and investigative thriller but fails to blend the two smoothly.

Performances

Akshay Kumar carries the film as the determined Wing Commander Ahuja. Veer Pahariya makes a decent debut, portraying the eager but reckless Vijaya. However, the supporting cast, including Nimrat Kaur, has limited scope to shine.

Sky Force is a mixed bag. It has moments of brilliance, especially in the second half, but falls short of being a truly great war movie. The film ends on a strong note, emphasizing the honor and dignity of soldiers, but its uneven pacing and lack of focus detract from the overall experience.