EXCLUSIVE: Sky Force co-director Sandeep Kewlani feels happy that Akshay Kumar's comeback at the box office happened through his film: "He was just waiting for that one Friday to bounce back; Khiladi ki pechaan yehi hoti hai ki woh josh ke saath wapis aata hai!"

Sandeep Kewlani, one of the directors of Sky Force, is on cloud nine as his debut directorial, starring Akshay Kumar, has emerged as a success. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, he spoke about Sky Force and a lot more.

Did you visit cinemas to see the audience's reaction?  On the day of the film’s release, I visited nearly 10 cinemas. It was overwhelming to see how emotional the audience got during the climax. I also had the chance to interact with them. In some places, I didn’t reveal that I was the director because I wanted to observe their genuine reactions, free from any bias.

It takes two to three years to make a film from the moment it gets greenlit, so we have to think ahead and ensure that the film we’re making today will still resonate with audiences years later. When I interacted with moviegoers, I was deeply moved to see that our hard work had truly paid off. The audience didn’t just enjoy the film; they also felt very emotional.

What was the most memorable feedback you received?  At one particular show, I finally informed the viewers that I had directed Sky Force and told them that this wasn’t just a movie—it was a tribute to our unsung heroes. I requested them to spread the word.

Suddenly, a 6'4" man came running toward me. For a moment, I feared I had said something that offended him. But then, he hugged me and, with tears in his eyes, said, “Sir, Sky Force is not just a great film, but also a tribute to my father. My father was a Naval officer who sacrificed his life in the 1971 war. He was one of the unsung heroes of our Armed Forces.” He then cried for five minutes while holding me.

What motivated you to make Sky Force? Often, we don’t hear about these stories because they aren’t part of our school or college curriculum. Cinema is a powerful medium that allows us to share such tales with a larger audience.

Besides A B Devayya and O P Taneja, there are countless other brave individuals who have done so much for our country, many even sacrificing their lives. Some were taken as prisoners of war, while others went missing in action. Their families never got closure. They still wonder, ‘Kya unka beta, pati, ya bhai aaj bhi zinda hai? Kya woh kabhi wapas aayenge?’ Sometimes, after years, they get answers. But in many cases, they never do. Bahut hi ajeeb dastan hoti hai aise soldiers ki families ke liye.

How did the families of A B Devayya and O P Taneja react after watching Sky Force?  A B Devayya’s daughter felt extremely proud after watching the film. Taneja’s son, Nikhil Taneja, messaged me to congratulate and appreciate the film.

We were initially apprehensive about whether we had unknowingly hurt anyone’s sentiments. Thankfully, the family members of both heroes were happy with the film. Nikhil even sent a message saying, “Our entire family has appreciated this movie. We are proud of our father, and portraying him authentically was so important. What amazes us is how you managed to do such a fantastic job without even knowing him personally.”

For me, that was the biggest award. Though we never met the late Shri Taneja sir or the late Shri Devayya sir, we did our best to do justice to their legacy.

Akshay Kumar plays a memorable role in Sky Force. The film marks his comeback after a series of flops, and you achieved this as a debut director. How does that feel?  Akshay Kumar has always been a superstar. We’ve seen him in films for over 30 years. He has experienced many ups and downs before. But he’s a Khiladi— Khiladi ki pechaan yehi hoti hai ki woh josh ke saath wapis aata hai!

He was just waiting for that one Friday to bounce back. Co-director Abhishek Anil Kapur and I are incredibly happy that his comeback happened through our movie.

There are many night scenes in Sky Force. Was it difficult to convince Akshay Kumar to shoot them?  Since the story required night attack sequences, we had to shoot at night. Akshay sir was completely fine with it. He was extremely cooperative and supported us debutant directors throughout the process.

How many days did he shoot for?  He shot for almost all the scheduled days. There were hardly any days when he wasn’t on set. In total, we filmed for about 58-60 days.

Tell us about your first interaction with Veer Pahariya and how he was signed… When I first met Veer in January 2022 for the narration of Sky Force, he was blown away by the story. During the climax, he was in tears, and so was I. That night, we had long discussions about how to bring Tabby’s character to life on screen. I saw a spark in his eyes. Today, the world calls him Tabby, and nothing could be more rewarding than that.

How about Sara Ali Khan, Nimrat Kaur and Sharad Kelkar? For the role of the wife, we wanted someone who had never portrayed such a character before. While exploring options, Sara’s name came up, and we felt she was the perfect fit.

Akshay Sir and Nimrat made a great pair in Airlift (2016) and were widely appreciated together. So, we thought of bringing them back for nostalgia.

For the Pakistani pilot role, I was clear from day one that I wanted Sharad Kelkar. His voice has a commanding presence and he speaks Urdu fluently, making him the ideal choice.

Was Sky Force a challenging film to make?  Absolutely. Shooting at real locations like an airbase, ensuring historical accuracy, designing period-appropriate costumes, and filming with a vintage fighter jet while adhering to Air Force regulations were all significant challenges.

As debutant directors, we were fortunate to have the guidance of veteran Air Force officers—Jasjit Singh Kler, Abhijit Gokhale, and Varlin Panwar who supported us at every step. They helped us understand the physics of the vintage fighter jet, which was crucial for authenticity.

Executing the film believably while staying true to the story was a massive challenge. But I’m grateful that my co-director Abhishek and I took on this project. If you truly desire something with all your heart, the entire universe conspires to help you achieve it.

I never seek easy films. I’m always drawn to challenging projects. And my next one is even more demanding (Smiles).

In a previous interview, you mentioned that 3 Idiots (2009) inspired you to pursue filmmaking. Did Rajkumar Hirani watch Sky Force?  I don’t know if he has watched it yet, but if not, I’d like to make a heartfelt request — Rajkumar Hirani Sir, please watch Sky Force! I’m eagerly waiting for your feedback.

He is my Guru Dronacharya, and I am his Eklavya. I have learned so much from him, even from a distance, and his films have shaped my journey as a storyteller. We also share a special bond—we’re both from Nagpur.

Today, as I step into direction, I carry his inspiration with me. It still feels surreal that I’ve had the privilege of working with legends like Amitabh Bachchan, Ajay Devgn, and Akshay Kumar. (Sandeep previously wrote Runway34 and Bholaa). If my film can make him proud, even in a small way, it would mean the world to me.

What’s next?  Just wait a few more days (smiles). This time, it’s going to be a big bang! I’m already in discussions with two A-list stars and a major production house. Everything will be revealed soon. Just wait for the right time!

Any final thoughts? I want to thank my producers, Dinesh Vijan, Amar Kaushik and Jyoti Deshpande, for believing in us and giving us this opportunity. A special shoutout to my cast and crew for their honest support throughout this memorable journey—firsts are always special!

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Sky Force co-director Abhishek Anil Kapur reveals that Akshay Kumar smoked herbal cigarettes: “Akshay sir ko hum asli mein kyun smoke karayenge? Neither do I smoke nor does he”

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