Akshay Oberoi, who played a significant role in the Hrithik Roshan-led Fighter, recently shared his thoughts on the ongoing comparison between his film and Akshay Kumar’s Sky Force. Both films, which focus on the Indian Air Force, were released around the same time—Sky Force hitting theaters on Republic Day weekend in 2025, while Fighter premiered a year earlier in 2024. Naturally, the similarities between the two sparked numerous debates, particularly in the media.
Despite the buzz, Akshay Oberoi doesn’t mind these comparisons. “Both films revolve around the Air Force, so it’s natural for people to compare them,” he said in a recent interview. “There are only so many stories you can tell in this genre, and it all comes down to how you tell the story. I’m sure Sky Force and Fighter have very different screenplays.” Oberoi made it clear that while comparisons were inevitable, he believes each film has its own distinct identity.
However, a bigger debate raged on, not just about the films’ storytelling, but about their box office numbers. The competition in terms of earnings quickly became a focal point, leading to various opinions about how financial success defines the industry. Akshay Oberoi didn’t shy away from addressing the topic, stating that the Bollywood film industry is often more obsessed with money than talent. He pointed out that in today’s world, if a film makes a lot of money, the actor involved is automatically considered successful, regardless of their acting skills.
“The issue is, we live in a world where money rules everything,” he said. “You could be the worst actor, but if your films rake in huge amounts, you’ll get cast by the biggest directors. That’s how things work. We’ve built this world where profits are given more importance than real talent. So it’s no surprise that comparisons based on box office numbers happen.”
He went on to discuss the toxic culture of measuring success solely by numbers. “You see actors talking about how they made more money than others in recent years, or how their films are performing better. Money has become the yardstick for success, and this is a problem we’ve created. People will do anything to make money. If it means tearing someone else down to lift themselves up, that’s what happens.”
Akshay’s comments bring to light the unhealthy focus on commercial success in Bollywood, where box office earnings seem to take priority over an actor’s craft or the film’s artistic value. “In an ideal world, things would be different,” he continued. “But there’s no point in getting upset about it. This is the game, and this is how it’s played.”
Despite his honest take on the matter, Akshay Oberoi remains undeterred. He accepts the reality of the industry while continuing to focus on his own work. For him, the goal is to tell a great story, not to compete in a race driven by money alone.
The actor also reflected on the pressure and the expectations that come with being a part of high-profile films. With both Fighter and Sky Force revolving around the Air Force, the themes of patriotism and valor naturally attract a lot of attention. Yet, the emphasis on financial success overshadows everything else, according to Akshay.
As the debate over box office numbers continues to dominate discussions in Bollywood, Akshay Oberoi’s comments serve as a reminder that there is more to cinema than just profit. It’s about the passion, the craft, and the ability to tell a story that resonates with audiences.
In the end, while Sky Force and Fighter may have more in common than just their Air Force connection, it’s clear that Akshay Oberoi understands the bigger picture of the film industry. As the media frenzy around box office earnings persists, one thing remains certain—talent will always have its own place in Bollywood, even in a world that values numbers above all.
