Fighter director Siddharth Anand reacts to his film’s ‘Anti-Pakistan’ criticism, asks critics to watch film in theatres

Indian film Fighter, starring Deepika Padukone, Hrithik Roshan, and Anil Kapoor, is scheduled for a theatrical release on January 25, 2024. In a media interaction, director Siddharth Anand responded to the film’s criticism over the trailer and content being called ‘anti-Pakistan.’

Siddharth Anand (left) directed Hrithik Roshan (right), Deepika Padukone, Anil Kapoor and an ensemble cast in Fighter. Photo credit: Siddharth Anand/X.
Fighter director Siddharth Anand (left) with actor Hrithik Roshan. Photo credit: Siddharth Anand/X

Anand said, “When it comes to the trailer, you do put out a few lines. You cannot play out the whole film. Then why will you go to the theatre? You do raise some questions, some sparks so that people can come and watch the film. Hence, our trailer has serviced exactly that motive.

“In a way, I am happy it’s done that. It’s made them inquisitive, and I would tell them to come to theatres, and all your questions would be answered. You will understand the content and emotions behind it,” he said.

Further, Anand said that Fighter fights against terrorism and they have emphasised the same through the film. He said that he would call Fighter more nationalistic than jingoistic.

“Some things are just being taken out of context. I would say it again that watch the film first. I don’t want to spur a lot of unnecessary controversies. Fighter is a happy Indian film. Bharat ki film hai (It is India’s film). It’s a patriotic film,” he concluded.

(The article is published under a mutual content partnership arrangement between The Free Press Journal and Connected to India)