Renowned Bollywood luminary Hrithik Roshan has conveyed a profound sense of “responsibility and fortitude” upon donning the attire portraying an Indian Air Force officer in his upcoming film, “Fighter,” directed by his frequent collaborator Siddharth Anand.

Alongside co-stars Deepika Padukone and Anil Kapoor, the film is positioned as a tribute to the sacrifices and patriotism exhibited by the Indian armed forces, scheduled for a nationwide theatrical release on Thursday.

Within the cinematic realm of “Fighter,” Hrithik assumes the role of Squadron Leader Shamsher Pathania, distinguished by the aviator call sign “Patty.”

In a group interview, the 50-year-old artist articulated, “The uniform possesses an inherent magic. Throughout my career, I’ve adorned three distinctive costumes. Similar to the cape and costume in the superhero epic ‘Krrish,’ it evoked a sense of strength. In ‘Lakshya,’ donning the uniform of an Indian Army officer instilled strength. And in ‘Fighter,’ wearing the uniform instigated a profound sense of responsibility, gravity, and strength. The authority emanating from a uniform is elusive to replicate. It’s a surreal experience. It operates, and you genuinely sense the potency.”

Siddharth Anand is set to release “Fighter” on the first anniversary of his previous directorial venture, “Pathaan.” Judging from the trailer, the film exudes a blend of high-octane action and fervent patriotism, drawing inspiration loosely from the Balakot airstrikes following the Pulwama attack in 2019.

Despite comparisons to the Tom Cruise-starrer “Top Gun” franchise due to abundant aerial shots, Hrithik staunchly rejects the notion.

“In my perspective, these two films are fundamentally dissimilar. In ‘Top Gun,’ he embodies a rebel without a cause. That’s intrinsic to his character,” he asserted.

While welcoming comparisons between “Fighter” and “Top Gun,” Anand emphasized that any similarities are confined to the inclusion of aircraft.

“I view it as a commendation when a film crafted in our nation, operating on a fraction of the budget compared to global productions, draws parallels. They produce in English, with global accessibility and substantial budgets.

“‘Fighter’ bears no correlation to ‘Top Gun,’ aside from the shared presence of aircraft. The resemblance concludes with those planes,” he added.

The collaboration between Hrithik and Anand commenced with the 2014 film “Bang Bang!”—coincidentally, an official remake of Cruise’s “Knight and Day.” Subsequently, they joined forces for “War,” an integral component of Yash Raj Films’ spy universe.

Commending the director’s unwavering pursuit of perfection, the actor affirmed the remarkable success of their partnership.

“His diligence concerning Hindi cinema and global cinematography… His unyielding nature, persisting until the final moments to attain perfection.

“He persists, and that alignment is where I find resonance because I am aware he will not concede. This collaboration has been exceptionally fruitful, witnessing his growth across these cinematic ventures,” he added.

Fresh from the triumph of two blockbuster hits, “Pathaan” and “Jawan,” Deepika anticipates a triumphant streak with “Fighter,” where she embodies Squadron Leader Minal “Minni” Rathore.

Her upcoming projects, “Kalki 2898 AD” and “Singham Again,” are also opulent productions. Despite this, the actor emphasized that budget never dictates her choice of roles.

Drawing examples from mid-budget films like “Finding Fanny” and “Gehraiyaan,” Deepika argued that there is room for diverse film categories, with the responsibility resting on the writers.

Post the COVID era, she observed a collective unease permeating the industry, attributing it to a new experience.

“We made several assumptions about our trajectory. Evolutions have transpired, yes. However, prematurely jumping to conclusions about what’s effective, what’s not, big-budget…” she added.

Ultimately, actors are servants to the script and director, according to Deepika.

“You need to be true to the process… Invest in stories, characters, people, and the journey. Whether it’s a Rs 25 crore or Rs 50 crore budget movie, I’m more than willing to be a part of it,” she said.

Anil Kapoor, essaying the role of Group Captain Rakesh Jai “Rocky” Singh in “Fighter,” showered accolades on co-star Hrithik.

“I’ve worked with the best globally, and I would rate him (Hrithik) among all the phenomenal actors I’ve collaborated with. Sincere, honest, and an actor to the core…

“If you aspire to work for a limited period, there’s a separate trajectory. But if longevity is your goal—working for 50 years or until the end—then you must emulate Hrithik Roshan,” he declared.

In the interview, Anand reflected on the unprecedented success of “Pathaan,” released on January 25, 2023.

Marking Shah Rukh Khan’s big-screen return after five years, the film emerged as the first Hindi blockbuster release of the previous year, amassing over Rs 1,000 crore at the global box office.

According to the filmmaker, such “tremendous success” cannot be meticulously planned.

“You can dream, but there’s no meticulous planning involved. It’s a blend of luck and love, coupled with substantial effort. The entire team was taken aback; no one anticipated it. We aspired for a gradual reintegration of Hindi cinema into the audience’s hearts. However, they wholeheartedly embraced us,” he added.

Similar to “Pathaan,” Anand aspires for “Fighter” to carve its own unique niche.

“We are anticipating not just numerical success but love from the audience. Despite its stylized nature, it remains a rooted desi film. We are earnestly hoping for affection; the numbers will ensue,” he expressed.