Airlift.... Review on Airlift

The film is based on the real-life conflict and bloodshed that took place twenty five years back in Kuwait, and the way it is done—with a sense of urgency and immediacy, bringing alive a city over-run and under siege—sends out a crucial message to star-driven-yet-drivel-producing Bollywood. That given the backing of an A-list star, anything is possible: well done, Akshay Kumar, for donning the producer-with-conviction hat to create a crackling film. An overall engaging watch with a few gritty moments, Airlift does stumble a few times as well. Blame it on the Bollywood audience but the filmmakers couldn’t seem to let go of the masala and song-dance paraphernalia that goes with a moolah-raking star in a lead role. An ‘Arabic’ number is also thrown in for good measure. But in a film that hinges on realism, the songs are jarring.

Akshay impresses with his acting prowess, backed by an ensemble support cast including Prakash Belawadi, Inaamulhaq and Purab Kohli. Be it Prakash Belawadi who comes in the form of a cynical, old man who is simply not ready to acknowledge the Katiyal’s efforts or Inaamulhaq’s Iraqi soldier who enjoys the sudden turning of power equations or Purab Kohli’s ever-dedicated and silent character - they all make Airlift a far more relatable affair.However, Nimrat Kaur disappoints as his wife. Having seen her as the endearing housewife longing for love in The Lunchbox, her appearance as a decked-up bahu, straight out of TV soap opera with a penchant for cribbing looks superficial. It is only in one scene that we see the actor we know - her face-off with Belawadi.

Turbulence aside, Airlift is an engaging movie that keeps it real, emotional and dramatic.The soundtrack of'Airlift' starts with composer Amaal Mallik and singers Arijit Singh and Tulsi Kumar coming together for'Soch Na Sake'. The song is adapted from Hardy Sandhu's'Soch'. There is a solo version of this duet with Arijit's vocals that is equally enchanting. The tempo switches from romantic to fun with'Dil Cheez Tujhe Dedi'. Some Arabic flourishes and electronic beats kick off this Ankit Tiwari composition. The hook brings 90s pop song'Didi' by Khaled to mind while the rest is retro Bollywood. Arijit Singh takes a turn from his usual mellow and romantic numbers for this masaledar gaana.'Mera Nachan Nu' is a situational song with a strong Punjabi tadka by Amaal. Divya Kumar and Brijesh Shandilya rise to the occasion with their vocals. Amaal gets behind the mike with K.K. for patriotic number'Tu Bhoola Jise'. It is the kind of gaana that could be patriotic and romantic, for the country or for a loved one in a tough time. A mix of different styles in one package. such nice movie .thanx to all the team make this movie.