Directed by Raja Krishna Menon, the much awaited film of the year is finally here…
Is Akshay Kumar Bollywood’s answer to Ben Affleck ? Well, going by the choices he’s making, clearly the actor’s Khiladi Kumar days seem over. Well, Airlift is no Argo, and thank god for that, who wants to watch a washed down version of a successful and critically acclaimed Hollywood film? In fact Airlift revolves around a situation and crises that is ten times dire and worse than the one in Argo.
What’s it about:
The real life air evacuation, the largest operation undertaken in the world during the Kuwait invasion of Iraq where over a lakh and a half Indians were rescued by the efforts of a single man wanting to make a difference is what Airlift is all about. Akshay Kumar plays Ranjit Katiyal an Indian now settled in Kuwait whose desi roots are long forgotten. His wife Amrita (Nimrat Kaur) doesn’t get his new found love for a foreign country but has no other choice than to toe his line. Things take a sinister U turn when one night Iraqi president Saddam Hussein decides to invade his oil rich neighbour Kuwait. Over night Ranjit’s life is turned upside down, the very people who would salute him are now gunning for his head. But he isn’t the only one. Over a lakh and a half Indians are stranded in no man’s land when the situation worsens and neither America or India comes ahead for help. The film chronicles the journey from the first day of invasion to the final climax where a timely Airlift by civil aircraft saves many lives. Even though the plot is one dimensional, there are multiple subplots that keep you engaged through the film.
What’s hot
Raja Krishna Menon makes a honest effort to give the film a docu drama feel in the first half. A lot of work has gone into making Oman look like Kuwait (which isn’t that tough a task given the similar landscapes), but full marks to the research team for creating the period. Everything from the props to the clothes to the visuals remind you of the 90′s when the attack happened. The supporting cast is excellent, especially Prakash Belwadi who plays the cynical George and is a character that will stay with you till the very end. He is that annoying person you might bump into anywhere who asks you those uncomfortable questions you want to slyly evade. Nimrat Kaur shines in a scene where she confronts George and gives him a dressing down for questioning her husbands motives. Akshay is completely at ease and shows remarkable versatility in being able to go from being a rick cocky Kuwaiti to a helpless Indian trying to save his family. There are several edge of the seat moments in Airlift that work, mainly because you are rooting and hoping that these people return home safe. The camera work capturing the barren landscapes paints a striking canvas. Fortunately the climax works, maybe cause you see the Indian flag fluttering in the frame for a few minutes with a teary eyed Akshay in the background. If this doesn’t give you the goosebumps, what will ?
What’s not
Airlift takes a while to make that lift! It somehow drags lazily into the interval before finally making that steep lift in the second. A big reason for this is the forceful addition of songs that aren’t required or necessary to the plot line. Here’s a serious situation of Indians fighting for their life stuck in a no man’s land, and Akshay Kumar breaks into a celebratory Punjabi song pre interval. Like why did you have to sell out ? Today’s audience is aching and starving for an experience that doesn’t compromise on their sensibilities. The Iraqi Army General who takes over Kuwait and has multiple scenes with Akshay is a complete miscast! Right from the first frame there’s nothing menacing or remotely funny (if that was the intention) about him. In fact he’s more annoying than those songs that keep popping. Also what’s with his strange accent ? I am sorry but he sounded like a Russel Peter impersonator (I am sure there is one!). Scenes of the temporary camp set up in the school where we see random characters bonding and trying to create parallel storylines are too distracting and unnecessary.
What to do:
Watch Airlift coz it tells a very important story that never got a mention in our history books. And also because the attempt to try out such subjects and storylines is applause worthy. Only if there were less songs and an editor who could tighten the length, Airlift would be soaring newer heights.
Rating: out of 5
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