Viacom18 to back India's first aerial action film, Fighter, starring Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone

Viacom18 has come on board the Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone-starrer Fighter (2022), directed by Siddharth Anand. The feature, touted to be India's first aerial action film, is due to be released in theatres in 2022.

Viacom18 COO Ajit Andhare announced its latest acquisition on Thursday, as the company completed a decade in the movie business.

The studio is already producing some of the keenly anticipated features — Laal Singh Chaddha, starring Aamir Khan, and Shabaash Mithu, starring Taapsee Pannu. This week, the company also unveiled another co-production, the multi-starrer, Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani, starring Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan and Shabana Azmi.

The desire to create something new has fuelled what I do: Viacom18 COO Ajit Andhare

In a Times of India online report, Andhare stated, “As a Top Gun fan, it’s been a dream to develop a true-blue aerial action film of our own. We have been looking for scripts on this subject for years and always envisaged Hrithik featuring in the cockpit while Deepika brings a new dimension to the story. I am excited to partner with Siddharth in building this franchise, as he brings the correct blend of craft and pulse of this genre. We have a tradition of taking bold steps to redefine Indian Cinema, and this will be a landmark film in that journey.”

Fighter was announced earlier this year on star Hrithik's birthday. This marks the first time that Hrithik and Padukone will be paired together. The action film is also Siddharth Anand's first as producer under his banner Marflix.

Anand said, “Fighter is my most ambitious film yet and I am glad to have someone with Ajit’s vision and passion to be partnering this film with me. This film is our attempt to create not only the first aerial action franchise in India but also put Indian films on the map for action-loving global theatrical audiences.”

Hrithik has already worked with Anand on Bang Bang! (2014) and War (2019), while Padukone is said to be cast with Shah Rukh Khan and John Abraham on Anand’s other project Pathan, which hasn’t yet been officially announced by Yash Raj Films.

According to trade reports, Fighter will salute “the valour, sacrifice, patriotism of our armed forces” and is meant for a global audience. The 2022 film is expected to be shot across the world soon.