The much-awaited movie of the month, Fighter was released in theaters on January 25, 2024. Directed by Siddharth Anand, Fighter is the story of an Indian Air Force Squadron assembled to carry out almost next-to-impossible missions. Apart from the patriotic storyline, Fighter has been getting praise on social media due to its stellar starcast. Talking about Fighter's character's guide, the movie features Hrithik Roshan as Squadron Leader Shamsher "Patty" Pathania, Deepika Padukone as Squadron Leader Minal "Minni" Rathore, Anil Kapoor as Group Captain Rakesh "Rocky" Jai Singh, Karan Singh Grover as Squadron Leader Sartaj "Taj" Gill, Akshay Oberoi as Squadron Leader Basheer "Bash" Khan, Rishabh Sawhney as Azhar Akhtar, Sanjeeda Sheikh as Saanchi Gill, Taj's wife and more in the leading roles. Since you have landed on this page, True Scoop News assumes that you have already watched the movie in theaters and are wondering about IAF officer Sartaj "Taj" Gill who was held captive by the Pakistani Army. Below is everything you need to know about Fighter True Story or 'real life' inspiration behind Sartaj "Taj" Gill-
Is Fighter a true story?
The answer is yes and no at the same time. Fighter is an original story written by Siddharth Anand and Ramon Chibb that uses real-life references in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attacks. Fighter trailer mentions India launching airstrikes in POK and destroying terror launchpads in Balakot in response to Pakistan's terror attack in Pulwama that martyred at least 40 Indian Army personnel. Notably, the trailer further showcases, Pakistan's response the next day by their American-made F-16 jets and India's response to it.
Since you have watched the movie, the character of Karan Singh Grover- Sartaj "Taj" Gill may have amped up your curiosity. As the movie uses real-life references, it can be said that Sartaj "Taj" Gill's character may be inspired by Indian Air Force Pilot Abhinandan who was held captive by the Pakistani forces after he crash-landed in the POK during on-air combat against the Pakistani Air Force pilot.
For the unversed, the 2019 Balakot airstrike was a bombing raid conducted by Indian warplanes on 26 February 2019 in Balakot, Pakistan, against a terrorist training camp. The following day, Pakistan launched an air attack on India, but the F-16s were answered by IAF's quick response team.
Seeing IAF's response team coming to engage, the Pakistani fighter jets turned back to their nation. As a result, an aerial dogfight took place in which one of the Pakistani F-16 jets was shot down. However, IAF pilot & Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman entered Pakistan while tailing the Pakistani jets. As a result, MIG-21 Bison was shot down by the Pakistani forces and Abhinandan Varthaman was captured in Pakistan. However, India's diplomacy was such that Pakistan was forced to release Abhinandan Varthaman with all due respect.
Multiple Pakistani MPs have accepted in the Parliament that India was almost ready to launch missile attacks if they had not released Abhinandan. In one of the books released in India, it is said that then Pakistan PM Imran Khan tried to talk to PM Modi over the telephone but he refused saying that New Delhi would only have a dialogue after Abhinandan was released.
Therefore, if you have not watched Fighter in theaters, Hrithik Roshan starrer movie can be perfect for you.