Airlift

This week opened with two movies catering to different genres – Kya Kool Hain Hum 3 and Airlift. More on KKHH3 later. Airlift is one classic movie directed by director Raja Krishna Menon who brings to life the real life story about the evacuation of Indians in Kuwait after the invasion by Iraq in 1990. Some stories should be told and this is one beautiful story that was waiting to explode on screen which also has a mention in the Guinness Book of World Records about the biggest and most historic air evacuation in the world history.

Ranjit Katyal (Akshay Kumar) is a Indian born Kuwaiti businessman who likes enjoying the high society life of the desert country. His wife Amrita Katyal (Nimrat Kaur) is happy in her own world with their little daughter. On August 2nd 1990, their world is turned upside down as Iraq invades Kuwait. Circumstances get the best or worst out of people. Ranjit who is a selfish businessman turns a new leaf as he watches his driver murdered in front of his own eyes. He along with a group of rich friends organises a camp for 1, 70, 000 Indians. The subsequent days are a glorious account of his powerful negotiating skills with enemies as well as friends to bring back the Indians to their homeland.

Menon does a brilliant job with writing as well as directing. He has the making of a great filmmaker and coming days will prove my words. The screenplay is gripping and the dialogues are applause worthy.

Akshay Kumar has given one of his career best performances with Airlift. He lives the character of Ranjit Katyal and his performance is flawless. Nimrat Kaur proves again that she is no flash in the pan actress and gives a career defining performance as Amrita Katyal. Few of her scenes are wonderful especially the scene where she is seen confronting the character of Prakash Belawadi. The supporting cast of Prakash Belawadi, Kumud Mishra, Purab Kohli and Inamulhaq is brilliant.

The background score is the second hero of the movie. Although Airlift is not a musical, the score is quite soothing and nice especially songs like Tu Bhoola Jise and Soch Na Sake. The editing by Hemanti Sarkar and cinematography by Priya Seth is very good.

On the whole, Airlift is a BRILLIANT movie coming out of Bollywood and it will make its place amongst the top classics. A must watch!

My Verdict: ****

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