Known as the best action hero of Hindi films, Akshay Kumar has always been appreciated by the lovers of Hindi films. But, through his latest released film ‘Airlift’, Akshay Kumar has given a memorable performance, in the role of Ranjit Katiyar, the main character of the realistic film ‘Airlift’. Based on the real event of invasion of Kuwait by Iraq’s Saddam Hussain in 1990, the film has shown, how a brave Indian businessman, saved the lives of 1 One lakh 70 thousand Indians settled in Kuwait, for their jobs. With the interesting sequence of events, presented in the film, the film gives a very realistic look, to this rescue drama.
Produced by Nikhil Advani, T Series and others, ‘Airlift’ is directed by Raja Krishna Menon. The film opens in Kuwait (Aug 1990) with Indian businessman Ranjit Katiyal clinching a business deal with the Emir of Kuwait. Otherwise, a callous businessman, who will go to any extent to make a profit, Mr. katiyal is well connected in Kuwait and Iraq. Always proud to call himself a Kuwaiti, he is generally cynical towards Indians, which is noticed through his communication with his driver Nair. Ranjit lives in his posh mansion in Kuwait, along with his wife Amrita( Nimrat Kaur) and his sweet little daughter Simu.
One night Iraq attacks Kuwait and target Kuwaiti citizens. When Katiyal along with his driver Nair drive to the Indian Embassy. They are stopped by angry Iraqi soldiers and when Nair begins plead in Arabic, he is shot dead. Katiyal, somehow manages to reach the Embassy. The consul, a friend of Katiyal, explains that the Kuwaiti government (the Emir family and others) have fled and Kuwaiti money becoming worthless. The One lakh seventy thousand Indians in Kuwait, thus turn refugees, waiting for the Indian Government to take a policy decision on their return to India. But, in the meanwhile, the atrocities of Iraqi soldiers increase .
How Ranjit katiyal seeks some help from the Iraqi Major, who is fond of Hindi films and how he convinces one of the secretaries in External affairs’ Ministry of India, is what the film is about. Through this film, the director has cleverly shown the attitudes of different people, with whom Ranjit interacts during the rescue operation. It shows his concern for the helpless Indians trapped there and his timely decisions and daring steps in rescue operation, carried out by him, on his journey from Kuwait to Jordan, for onward journey back to India.
Akshay Kumar is at his best in this film and this should be one of his memorable roles in films. In the role of his wife Nimrat Kaur has done a good job,though she has only few important scenes to her share. Among the supporting artistes, Prakash Belawadi as George Kutty, Kumud Mishra as Sanjiv Kohli & Inaamulhaq as Major Khalaf bin Zayd. Since, this is a story based film, music has very less scope in the film, but Amaal malik and Ankit Tiwari have done a good job. Good work is also noticed from Cinematography by Priya Seth and editor Hemant Sarkar. A must watch film for all those, who love to watch real stories.
Rating (****)