Akshay Kumar’s Sky Force Slammed By Karnataka’s Kodava Community

Akshay Kumar’s recently released film, Sky Force, which is based on India’s first airstrike during the 1965 war with Pakistan, has come under fire from Karnataka’s Kodava community. The community has alleged that Squadron Leader Ajjamada Boppayya Devayya, a renowned war hero, has been misrepresented in the film.

Sky Force, released on January 24, 2025, has newcomer Veer Pahariya essaying the role of Squadron Leader Ajjamada Boppayya Devayya. Meanwhile, the film has received rave reviews for its gripping storyline and sincere performances.

However, the film has attracted ire from the Kodava community in Karnataka. Several people from the community have taken to social media to express their disappointment at Sky Force makers for portraying Squadron Leader Ajjamada Boppayya Devayya as a Tamilian instead of accurately showing him as an officer from the Kodava community in Karnataka’s Coorg or Kodagu.

Tanya Appachu Kaul, a Jabalpur-based lawyer from the Kodava community, posted a video on Instagram questioning the makers of Sky Force for inaccurately depicting Devayya’s community, especially when the film claims to have been inspired by his life. She also slammed the filmmakers for marketing the film in the name of a real person, yet distorting the entire lineage of a person.

Sky Force also stars Sara Ali Khan, Nimrat Kaur, Sharad Kelkar, Mohit Chauhan, and Varun Badola in key roles and is currently running in theaters.

 

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