A must-watch tale for every Indian!
Plot:
Ranjith Katyal, a well off NRI businessman sitting pretty in Kuwait. One unfortunate night the Iraq army successfully invades Kuwait and takes charge of the Kuwait city. The Iraq army demolishes properties and even loots the city. Overnight life changes for Ranjith, his family and about 1,70,000 Indians who are left stranded and homeless in Kuwait city. But what did this self-centered business man do to help his fellow Indians see the day of the light and how did India carry out the biggest evacuation mission in the history forms the rest of the story.
Performances:
Akshay Kumar: This Superstar once again makes movie buffs and his fans proud by choosing this film. He nailed the role of ‘Ranjith’, the unsung hero in the historic evacuation mission ever.
The rest of the cast including Nimrat Kaur, Purabh Kohli & others were equally instrumental in making this film a tugging thriller.
Music:
Songs by Amaal Malik & Ankit Tiwari don’t quite find enough space in this thriller but fortunately they don’t disturb the mood and momentum of the film. But the exceptional back ground score was indeed the heart of the film.
Analysis:
(For those who are not aware) Airlift is a film based on India’s mission of evacuating about 1 lakh 70 thousand homeless Indians stranded in Kuwait when Iraq invaded Kuwait city on August 1990. Amidst high tension, Government of India along with the help of local Indians, Air India & Indian Army successfully carried out an unprecedented massive evacuation operation for two months – a first of its kind heroic mission in history.
Now besides appreciating director Raja Krishna Menon for attempting something like Airlift the film seriously works. He keeps you at the edge of your seat, gives you goose bumps and might even tears in your eyes. Well what’s impressive about the film is that it is laced with realistic characters, scenarios, subtle emotions reasserting the fundamental facts and at the same time evoking the sleeping Indian in you – can’t ask for more!
On the brighter side, the film talks about human values, hope and perseverance during tyranny but we are not getting carried away. Unlike a fictitious edgy thriller of this genre, Airlift takes its time in the course of narration. However, the much awaited climax gives you goose bumps yet is still a bit hasty. Things end rather conveniently which makes it a good meal without a proper dessert (good if you are not habituated to desserts).
In a nutshell, Airlift is an engaging film that is worth your time and patience.
Others:
Production design was impressive befitting the backdrop of the film (set in 1990).
Verdict:
Airlift is an engaging and heartwarming tale of the most heroic mission ever carried in history – indeed must watch for every Indian. This isn’t conventional cinema but a patriotic film worth watching just to realize the value of our country and being an Indian.