Siddharth Anand Defends Fighter's Mediocre Box Office Performance
Filmmaker Siddharth Anand, known for blockbuster action films like War and Pathaan, has spoken out about the underwhelming box office performance of his 2024 release, Fighter. Starring Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone, the film was highly anticipated but failed to meet commercial expectations. In a recent interview, Anand defended the project, stating it was crafted for a niche audience rather than as a typical commercial war film.
Anand's Perspective on Fighter's Legacy
Reflecting on his filmography, Siddharth Anand expressed pride in Fighter, ranking it among his top three works. He emphasized the quality and effort that went into the production, noting his amazement at how the film shaped up. "I still see Fighter as being one of my best films. If I have made nine films, including King, it'll be in the top three films of my filmography. I'm very proud of it," he told Variety India.
Impact of Pathaan's Success on Expectations
Anand highlighted how the massive success of Pathaan in 2023, which marked Shah Rukh Khan's comeback, altered box office benchmarks. This led to unfair comparisons for Fighter. "The nature of the box office changed post-Pathaan. And once you give a film like Pathaan, the box office of Fighter does seem like 'Oh, it didn't perform to that level.' But each film has its own destiny," he explained. He argued that Fighter appeals to a smaller audience segment compared to the broader appeal of Pathaan.
Fighter's Niche Genre and Audience Appeal
Contrary to perceptions, Anand clarified that Fighter is not a commercial war film but focuses on the Air Force's lifestyle and personal journeys. "It's about the Air Force and their lifestyle, their journey and what they do in their downtime, how they react, how they are in their dorm, how they are in their backyard at home, and how they prepare themselves to be fighters," he said. He believes the film resonated with a limited audience, and within that context, its business performance of Rs 358.83 crore worldwide against a Rs 250 crore budget is remarkable.
Box Office Figures and Critical Reception
According to Sacnilk, Fighter collected Rs 358.83 crore globally, while facing criticism for weak VFX and a flimsy storyline. In contrast, Pathaan grossed Rs 1055 crore worldwide, becoming a post-pandemic blockbuster. Anand's defense underscores his view that Fighter achieved its intended impact within its target demographic, despite not matching the commercial heights of his other hits.
