Movies like Airlift are not generally made in Bollywood and that’s really a pity. If this is a harbinger of things to come, 2016 couldn’t have started on a better note (let’s just forget about Wazir for the moment). While its not perfect, Airlift sets the bar really high. More so, it pays a grand tribute to an epic story, that most would never have known had it not been made.
There are two main reasons why Airlift succeeds – one, due to its powerful storyline which is inspired by real events and two, because of the wonderfully understated yet deeply intense performance of Akshay Kumar. In fact, it’s the second of these that will get you to overlook some of the flaws in direction – the unconvincing transformation of Akshay’s character, the hurried build up to the sequence of events that play out and even the over-dramatization of the hero towards the climax. I wouldn’t be overstating the case to say that this is probably Akshay Kumar’s best performance till date.
Playing his better half is Nimrat Kaur who is surprisingly a bit of a mixed bag. The dolled up look doesn’t suit her and for someone so naturally beautiful it is the second half where she isn’t wearing that much make up that she is much more appealing. Her performance also has a similar trajectory and it is her acidic monologue in the second half that gets you to sit up and take notice. The side act isn’t really for her and she should take more and more central roles – she seems most comfortable and convincing in those. The side acts are solid as well – Purab Kohli, Kumud Mishra, Inaamul Haq (a tad unconvincing in comparison to his natural act in Filmistaan previously) and Prakash Belawadi (as the particularly well delivered obnoxious Malyali) all bring credence to the script.
Unlike Baby, which harped too much on the mission and action, Airlift is about human emotions and you can feel for the trials and tribulations of every person you see on the screen. There are other gems as well – the good production design, wonderful camerawork and mostly tight and deft direction which keeps your interest going in the events of Airlift pretty much throughout its runtime. There are some special touches too – scenes where no words are spoken and yet everything is said, the aforementioned monologue, Purab Kohli’s understated character and his story arc. I should probably stop here..lest I spoil your fun.
Its not all a smooth ride though. There is the obvious turbulence with completely avoidable songs – which do nothing to help the tense nature of the plotline and seek to provide unnecessary relief. Thankfully they are cut short and we go back to the events before they can become more tiresome. There is a distinct focus on keeping things real and balanced rather than making them sensational, that is truly the hallmark of the film and takes the script to greater heights. This has been the bane of most Bollywood commercial entertainers and while it almost teeters on the edge, Airlift doesn’t succumb to that trap.
Instead Airlift gives wings to a tight script and makes a near perfect lift off the runway giving us a flight that is truly worthy to remember and a great start to 2016
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