Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsEmmysSan Diego Comic-ConSummer Watch GuideToronto Int'l Film FestivalSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

Airlift

  • 2016
  • Not Rated
  • 2h 10m
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
60K
YOUR RATING
Akshay Kumar and Nimrat Kaur in Airlift (2016)
Watch Official Trailer
Play trailer2:53
1 Video
82 Photos
Period DramaDramaHistory

When Iraq invades Kuwait in August 1990, a callous Indian businessman becomes the spokesperson for more than 170,000 stranded countrymen.When Iraq invades Kuwait in August 1990, a callous Indian businessman becomes the spokesperson for more than 170,000 stranded countrymen.When Iraq invades Kuwait in August 1990, a callous Indian businessman becomes the spokesperson for more than 170,000 stranded countrymen.

  • Director
    • Raja Menon
  • Writers
    • Raja Menon
    • Sonu Sinha
    • Ritesh Shah
  • Stars
    • Akshay Kumar
    • Nimrat Kaur
    • Kumud Mishra
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.9/10
    60K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Raja Menon
    • Writers
      • Raja Menon
      • Sonu Sinha
      • Ritesh Shah
    • Stars
      • Akshay Kumar
      • Nimrat Kaur
      • Kumud Mishra
    • 222User reviews
    • 43Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 18 nominations total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:53
    Official Trailer

    Photos82

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 76
    View Poster

    Top cast55

    Edit
    Akshay Kumar
    Akshay Kumar
    • Ranjit Katyal
    Nimrat Kaur
    Nimrat Kaur
    • Amrita Katyal
    Kumud Mishra
    Kumud Mishra
    • Sanjeev Kohli
    Prakash Belawadi
    Prakash Belawadi
    • George
    Inaamulhaq
    Inaamulhaq
    • Major Khalaf Bin Zayd
    Lenaa
    Lenaa
    • George's Wife
    • (as Lena Kumar)
    Nissar Khan
    Nissar Khan
    • Ashok
    Ninad Kamat
    Ninad Kamat
    • Kurien
    Kaizaad Kotwal
    • Poonawalla
    Feryna Wazheir
    • Tasneem
    Ajay Kumar
    Ajay Kumar
    • Joseph
    Purab Kohli
    Purab Kohli
    • Ibrahim Durrani
    Gunjan Malhotra
    Gunjan Malhotra
    • Meher Poonawala
    Pooja Nair
    • Preethi
    Taranjit Kaur
    Taranjit Kaur
    • Nair's Wife
    • (as Taranjeet Kaur)
    Ajay Arya
    Ajay Arya
    • Nair
    Avtar Gill
    Avtar Gill
    • Amrit Pal
    Pawan Chopra
    Pawan Chopra
    • Brij, Indian Ambassador
    • Director
      • Raja Menon
    • Writers
      • Raja Menon
      • Sonu Sinha
      • Ritesh Shah
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews222

    7.960.2K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    10ravi-mudgil1996

    A must Watch Movie For every Indian and its doesn't matter u r Hindu or Muslim but if u are a real Indian and go and watch awesome movie

    Guys a must watch movie for all peoples we are always watching Hollywood movie and think they are awesome and if u want a Indian heroism story so go and watch airlift best performance by akshay and nimrat and other star cast "Some stories *should* be told. #Airlift sheds light on the evacuation of Indians in Kuwait after the invasion by Iraq. Narrated BRILLIANTLY. #Airlift is taut, engrossing, leaves a hammer-strong impact. Raja Krishna Menon is a director to watch out for. Deserves brownie points. #Airlift is a must must watch. One of the finest films to come out of the Hindi film industry. Just do not miss this one
    10divash-rock22

    Every Indian must watch Airlift for once.2016 starts with bang. Akshay kumar nailed the role....

    Airlift is the best film of Akshay kumar till date. The story is all about a business man in Kuwait(Akshay) thinks that he is also a Kuwaiti. But when Iraq invades Kuwait he realizes that he is an Indian and helped all 170000 Indian. This movie give u goosebumps there is no boring scene in the movie. A perfect movie for Rebublic day. This movie is perfect for classy movie lovers who love this type of patriotic movies. All the star cast of the movie done a fantastic job. This time Akshay will surely get an award for Airlift. ...... Go with yours friends, family and watch AIRLIFT in theaters. U guys surely fell proud to be an Indian after watching this movie.
    9ketgup83

    Airlift is nail-biting, reality-based action thriller that is going to give you goose bumps. Brilliant !!

    Over the years Akshay Kumar's choice of selecting the films has certainly improved with significant examples being Holiday, Baby, Special Chabbis, Gabbar Is Back to name few. Move over commercial masala potboilers with item songs, hero smashing 10 guys with a single blow and typical song-dance routine – Raja Menon's Airlift will give you goosebumps with fast-paced gritting thrills and excitement.

    Based on a true story, Airlift speaks about the Ranjit Katyal (played by Akshay Kumar) who helps the Indian Government collaborate with Air India to help evacuate 1,70,000 Indians from Kuwait after Iraq raided the country.

    From the director of critical acclaimed films like Bas Yun Hi and Barah Aana, Raja Menon does a fantastic research about the feat that was even recorded in the Guinness Book of World Record and surprisingly people are unaware about it. Airlift will consume you right from the beginning especially when Akshay's family faces the issue of Iraqi raiding Kuwait. From here onward, there is no turning back as the movie gives you nice twist-n-turns with well- choreographed action scenes. Icing on the cake is the climax scenes which has been well executed. On the flip side, length of the movie could have been reduced little further. But brilliant screenplay, Art direction and cinematography is spellbinding. Background score gels well with the mood of the film. Dialogues are fine. The music of the film is doing well on the chartbuster. The soulful number such as 'Soch Na Sake' is already a superhit among the viewers. Besides, other tracks are catching up fast as well.

    It is Akshay Kumar's show all the way. A thumbs up to him for doing something different from his usual masala potboilers. After giving back-to-back hits in 2015 with Baby, Gabbar Is Back and Singh Is Bliing, Akshay Kumar is definitely on a roll. With Holiday, Baby and now Airlift, Akshay Kumar has managed to create a image of "Mera Bharat Mahaan" actor and fans will love him in new avatar. The fresh pairing of Akshay Kumar and Nimrat Kaur works well. Nimrat Kaur's realistic subtlety would harness Akshay Kumar's machismo and give us that perfect thriller

    Overall , Airlift is nail-biting, reality-based action thriller that is going to give you goose bumps. Brilliant 4.5/5
    9maulin5

    Airlift will surely touch all Indians by heart!

    As this year has been started well with Wazir, the good work of Bollywood is on the road with increasing the speed and performance. Yes, I'm talking about Akshay Kumar starer Airlift, directed by Raja Krishna Menon, and which is based on true events! Film starts in Kuwait. Rajiv Katyal (Akki) has been reached on the top level in business with his ability. He refers himself as a Kuwait citizen. But when the government leaves their citizens when Iraq attacks on Kuwait under the order of Saddam Hussain, the people becomes needless. Rajiv now feels that he is an Indian, and so along with other 1,70,000 people who are actually Indians but lives in Kuwait, he starts the mission to run from Kuwait as soon as possible. His tries, his communication to India for the help, and the officer's help from India - These things you can find out in this movie. Some factors, like emotions of love for the family, for the nation, for the coworkers and their relatives, for the people who are only belongs to the same nation, have been described very well. Many moments where we can feel patriotism. Raja has directed a superb film. Akshay has given a stunning performance as usual. I was comparing Baby film with this, but both are different. But if you ask for just one movie, than I'll go with this one. Nimrat Kaur is my favorite since The Lunchbox and Dairy Milk commercials. She has delivered a fine supportive job. She shines as a wife of a rich businessman and a caring mother. Kumud Mishra fits absolutely in the character of a government officer. Poorab Kohli has a small role. Supportive cast are fine, too. De Di and Soch Na Sake are very small songs. Perfectly situated. Tu Bhula Jise is the song to remember. Background score suits to the film. Dialogues are good. Nimrat's 3/4 minuets long conversation with a unsatisfied man of the camp who always complains, is a must! Cinematography is good. Some scenes give are shaky, those could have been shoot better. Editing is fine. Indian flag has been waved by an airport staff of Jordan and Akki is watching that, while Tu Bhula Jise song is playing - the scene has been brought so many whistles and shouts. And than one more, in which Air India plane is taking off, while Akki is watching that and in background Vande Mataram is playing - a truly emotional scene! It will surely gives you goosebumps! Overall, a must watch movie for every Indians, to know the largest human evacuation. Salute to all the real heroes! Jai Hind!
    7dineshprakash

    Uplifts Indian cinema standard

    Director Mr. Raja Krishna Menon work is superb. You feel yourself in to the screen. Story is inspired by real incident. It is OK. Screenplay makes its interesting by adding so many good and balanced plot, like introducing Kuwaiti girl and its culmination, one scene of secretary with his father, telling him about pain of migration, which triggers him to take the matters personally, track of irritating George etc. Credit goes to screenplay writers Ritesh Shah, Suresh Nair, Director himself and Rahul Nangia . Dialogues by Ritesh Shah, are real and impactful. Transformation of characters are very good, like a hardcore businessman to an extra emotional human being of main character. Productions design by Mustafa Staionwala needs to be applauded. Film looks so real and then great work by Director of photography, Priya Seth, to capture it perfectly. It could have been brutal but makers kept it very balanced. One scene where lead actor scuffles with Iraqi soldiers is a note above but its culmination again makes it worth clapping. Performance wise Akhshay Kumar is fantabulous. He is just amazing in every scene, especially in emotional ones. Nimraut Kaur as Amrita is OK. She had a good scene but it was just OK performance by her. Inaamul Haq as Iraqi Major Khalaf Bin Zayd, is first rate. He had gone deep into character that its hard to believe that he is an Indian. His balanced greed in eyes and accent make his character believable. Kumud Mishra as secretary Sanjeev Kohli is impressive. Purab Kohli as Abraham makes his presence felt. Ajay Arya Singh as Akshay kumar first driver is fine in his brief role. Feryana Wazheir as Kuwaiti girl, Tasneem looks innocent as the requirement of character. There was least scope for music but when it comes gives the much needed relief and boosts the pace. Credit goes to music directors Ankit Tiwari and Amaan Malik.

    More like this

    Rustom
    7.0
    Rustom
    Gabbar Is Back
    7.0
    Gabbar Is Back
    Toilet: A Love Story
    7.2
    Toilet: A Love Story
    Pad Man
    7.9
    Pad Man
    Kesari
    7.4
    Kesari
    Baby
    7.9
    Baby
    Mission Mangal
    6.6
    Mission Mangal
    Rowdy Rathore
    5.8
    Rowdy Rathore
    Jolly LLB
    7.5
    Jolly LLB
    Simmba
    5.5
    Simmba
    Singham
    6.8
    Singham
    Dil To Pagal Hai
    7.0
    Dil To Pagal Hai

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      After the real life mission was successful, Air India entered the Guinness Book of World Records for being a civil airline that helped evacuate the highest number of people ever.
    • Goofs
      In the movie, the characters are shown as drinking and eating from Al Manama Supermarket. In reality, Al Manama Supermarket only has branches in United Arab Emirates and India but not in Kuwait.
    • Quotes

      Ranjit Katyal: The only thing that sets us apart is that we are Indians and not Kuwaitis. If we are together, we matter. Otherwise, we mean nothing.

    • Crazy credits
      Before the end credits roll, cards stating the contributions of Mr. Mathunny Mathews and Mr. Vedi, on whose efforts this film is based, are shown.
    • Connections
      Featured in Housefull 3 (2016)
    • Soundtracks
      Soch Na Sake
      Written by : Kumaar

      Produced by: Amaal Mallik

      Performed by: Arijit Singh, Tulsi Kumar and Amaal Mallik

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    FAQ

    • How long is Airlift?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 22, 2016 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • India
    • Official sites
      • Airlift Movie
      • Flight Booking
    • Language
      • Hindi
    • Also known as
      • 撤離科威特
    • Filming locations
      • Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India
    • Production companies
      • Cape of Good Films
      • Emmay Entertainment
      • T-Series
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $4,400,000 (estimated)
    • Gross worldwide
      • $9,323,484
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 10 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Atmos
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.