'Sky Force' takes off: Akshay Kumar's career finds new wings with blockbuster opening
'Sky Force' hits theatres: Akshay Kumar has finally found a silver lining in his career with the successful release of 'Sky Force'. The film opened to impressive double-digit earnings, collecting Rs 11.25 crore (net) on its first day, as reported by Sacnilk. Produced on a modest budget of Rs 160 crore, the film’s performance has brought much-needed relief for the Bollywood superstar.
The actor's last significant solo hit was 'Sooryavanshi' (2021), helmed by Rohit Shetty. That film, also made with a budget of Rs 160 crore, amassed Rs 293 crore globally. Since then, Kumar has faced a string of underwhelming box office performances with titles like 'Khel Khel Mein', 'Sarfira', 'Mission Raniganj', 'Selfiee', and 'Samrat Prithviraj', among others.
Though he had brief successes in cameo roles, such as in 'Singham Again' and 'Stree 2'—both of which grossed significantly globally—the star was in need of a solo hit to reclaim his standing. With 'Sky Force', it appears he has done just that.
Set against the backdrop of the 1965 India-Pakistan War, 'Sky Force' narrates the story of India's first and deadliest airstrike. The film features Kumar as IAF officer KO Ahuja, who embarks on a dangerous mission to locate his missing colleague, T Vijaya, played by debutant Veer Pahariya. Nimrat Kaur and Sara Ali Khan also star in pivotal roles, adding depth to this war drama.
The movie, directed by Sandeep Kelwani and Abhishek Kapur, has been compared to Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone’s 'Fighter', which released around Republic Day last year. Fighter, with a Rs 250 crore budget, had earned Rs 22.5 crore on its first day and went on to gross Rs 358.83 crore worldwide.
With its patriotic theme and high-octane storyline, 'Sky Force' has successfully captured the audience's imagination, making it one of Kumar’s most promising releases in recent years.
- With inputs from agencies
