Top 5 'Airlift' Reviews: What do critics think of this heroic mission film?

Film: Airlift
Cast: Akshay Kumar, Nimrat Kaur, Purab Kohli, Lena
Director: Raja Menon

Read DNA review here:

The film is set in the early 90s and the director does a fair job recreating the era – even the detailing in costumes and backdrops is noteworthy. The war invasion scenes may not be massive in terms of scale but still give you a decent description of the havoc caused. Overall, the film has a stark look and feel, which works in its favour to quite an extent. Akshay Kumar’s stellar performance is the film’s backbone. In almost every frame of the film, he doesn’t let his grip loose even once. Easily one of his most effective and restrained acts in recent times. Read the full review here.

Firstpost : Airlift review: With great camerawork, performances, this is Akshay Kumar's Chak De India

"There is no unnecessary dramatic build up of any kind of commercial heroism, despite a few seconds of Kumar breaking into both Bollywood dance steps as well as a tiny fight sequence. It’s not just about the way Kumar performs and keeps it subtle and silent. It’s also about the way Menon reveals his character without going overboard. The very tone of Airlift is devoid of any drama, right till the last frame. The music supports the subtext, the camera is unobtrusive and the film simply lets the story flow. Right into your heart and your conscience. If the Indian flag in Chak De India arouses tearful emotions of joy, pride and redemption, the same flag seen in Jordan, at a certain point in Airlift, is bound to bring a similar lump to the throat. And it’s not just the big moments that are poignant. It’s a given that the main story based on the historic incident of rescue evacuation of Indians from Kuwait during Hussein’s attack in 1990, has all the makings of the most inspiring piece of cinema. But the script’s charm lies in the smaller stories within the larger picture."

Hindustan Times: Airlift review: Akshay makes this a touching, heart-wrenching affair

"Menon peels back the layers to Ranjit’s personality. Though of Indian origin, Ranjit detests being identified as an Indian. Also as one of Kuwait’s richest businessmen, he is full of himself and money is all that seems to matter. The context established, Menon wastes no more time and 10 minutes into Airlift, the plot is already racing. Soon enough all hell breaks loose with blood-thirsty Iraqi soldiers wreaking havoc and Ranjit becomes an unlikely saviour for the 1,70,000 other Indians stranded in Kuwait, including his family. Though an action-packed story, Airlift’s strength lies in the turbulent emotions of people at the mercy of each other’s generosity and self-preservation. Ranjit is suddenly acutely aware of the people around him including hundreds of his employees. Touching scenes like the interaction between Ranjit and his family, and with government officials are tightly edited to capture the pathos of the situation."

Read the full review here

Financial Express : Movie review: Airlift; Akshay Kumar excels in thriller, but screenplay tops

"Airlift may well have Akshay Kumar as the lead actor, but the real star of this riveting and rousing thriller is the near-perfect screenplay by Raja Krishna Menon. Based on true events masterminded by an unsung hero, Akshay Kumar starrer Airlift tells, with controlled flair, the story of the biggest human evacuation in history. Airlift remains a thoroughly real and believable story all the way through. It is helped along by the quality of Akshay Kumar’s impressive star turn. The lead actor receives outstanding support from the rest of the cast, especially from Nimrat, who delivers a phenomenally impactful performance. Airlift is particularly special because it is not a typical chest-thumping tribute to the valour of the great Indians who pulled off the impossible in the face of great adversity."

Read the full review here 

India Today: Airlift movie review: Akshay Kumar, Nimrat Kaur's spectacular tale of heroism

"Raja Krishna Menon's tale of the largest evacuation in the history of the world is gritty, edge-of-the-seat and heart-stopping. There are moments in the film which actually catch you so off guard, you have your heart in your mouth. The research that has gone in into the creation of Airlift is visible in every frame. Menon resurrects the Kuwait of 1990 and how! However, despite all the brilliance, the last bit of the film looks hurried. It is almost like the filmmaker too couldn't wait to finish the film and get home, just like all those Kuwaiti-Indian refugees. In all, Airlift is the story of unparalleled courage and unsung heroes. From unknown names in the Ministry of External Affairs in Delhi to people who had their Indianness rearing its head from within just when it was required, Airlift is un-miss-able. Go watch it."

Read the full review here

Indian Express : Airlift movie review: Akshay Kumar film is well executed and well-acted 

"This is a deftly done film, which does slide a little in the second half, but never abandons its mission: to tell a tale. Akshay Kumar leads from the front, but shares space when it is needed: Nimrat Kaur, in her second Hindi film after The Lunchbox, keeps pace with her co-star ; Inaamulhaq (so enjoyable in Filmistaan), as Saddam’s man-in-Kuwait, is suitably menacing, Belawadi as the annoying refugee really does make you want to slap him, Kohli is kohl-eyed and restrained and makes us feel for him, Mishra as the Dilli babu, disinterested at first, then taking charge, fits right in. Airlift is a good film, solidly plotted, well executed and well-acted. Just lose the songs, and the occasional underlined background music the next time, okay? "

Read the full review here