Airlift (2016) Movie Details, Cast, Crew, Story, Release Date & Latest Updates
Airlift (2016) Movie Details, Cast, Crew, Story, Release Date & Latest Updates
Airlift (2016) is one of the most awaited Drama, Thriller, History films in Hindi cinema, bringing together a talented cast and crew under the Hindi banner. The film has sparked widespread discussion among Hindi cinema fans for its bold premise, its choice of genre, and the calibre of talent involved in front of and behind the camera. From its story to its theatrical release plans, here is everything Bbbollywood fans need to know about this hotly anticipated production. With director Raja Menon at the helm, the film is set to make a significant mark on the Hindi film industry this year.
Quick Facts
| Release Date | 22 January 2016 |
| Genre | Drama, Thriller, History |
| Language | Hindi |
| Runtime | 2h 6m |
| Certification | UA |
| Director | Raja Menon |
| Producer | Bhushan Kumar |
| Writer | Ritesh Shah |
| Editor | Hemanti Sarkar |
Story & Plot
Airlift is a 2016 Indian Hindi-language political thriller film directed by Raja Krishna Menon starring Akshay Kumar and Nimrat Kaur, that follows Ranjit Katyal, a Kuwait-based businessman as he carries out the evacuation of Indians based in Kuwait during the Invasion of Kuwait by Saddam Hussein's Iraq which led to the beginning of the Gulf War. The film was jointly produced by Abundantia Entertainment, Cape of Good Films, Emmay Entertainment and T-Series on a total budget of ₹320 million. The plot is adapted from the real life story of Kuwait-based Indian businessmen such as Mathunny Mathews from Kerala, Harbhajan Singh Vedi etc.
Cast & Crew
Airlift is helmed by Raja Menon and produced by Bhushan Kumar, with Nimrat Kaur, Inaamulhaq, Prakash Belawadi, Kumud Mishra, Feryna Wazheir, Purab Kohli leading the film. Nimrat Kaur headlines the cast alongside a carefully chosen supporting ensemble drawn from Bbbollywood's growing and versatile talent pool. Each cast member brings their unique strengths and experience to the project, creating a dynamic ensemble that promises powerful on-screen performances. The chemistry between the lead actors has been a talking point in promotional discussions, and audiences can expect nuanced, layered portrayals from every member of the cast.
Lead Cast
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Nimrat Kaur | Amrita Katyal |
| Inaamulhaq | Major Khalaf Bin Zayd |
| Prakash Belawadi | George Kutty |
| Kumud Mishra | Sanjeev Kohli |
| Feryna Wazheir | Tasneem |
| Purab Kohli | Ibrahim Durrani |
| Lenaa | Deepti Jayarajan |
| Ninad Kamat | Kurien |
| Gunjan Malhotra | Meher |
| Sameer Ali Khan | Prince |
| Nissar Khan | Ashok |
| Pawan Chopra | Indian Ambassador Brij |
| Kaizaad Kotwal | Poonawalla |
| Avtar Gill | Actor |
| Surendra Pal | External Affairs Minister |
| Arun Bali | Bauji |
| Bachchan Pachera | Old Indian |
| Ritika Badiani | George's Daughter |
| Akshay Kumar | Ranjit Katyal |
| Raja Menon | Director |
| Bhushan Kumar | Producer |
| Nikkhil Advani | Producer |
| Monisha Advani | Producer |
| Shivaji Dasgupta | Producer |
| Hemanti Sarkar | Editor |
| Ritesh Shah | Writer |
| Suresh Nair | Writer |
| Ritesh Shah | Dialogue |
| Raja Menon | Story |
Key Crew
See the full crew breakdown in Quick Facts above, including director, producer, music direction, writing, cinematography, and editing credits.
Director's Vision
Raja Menon brings a distinct and considered vision to Airlift, shaping its drama, thriller, history narrative with a sharp eye for authentic Hindi storytelling. Known for meticulous attention to production detail, the director has assembled a technical crew that reflects the ambition of this project — from the cinematography and production design to the editing and sound design. The visual language of Airlift is expected to reflect the emotional texture of its story, using lighting, framing, and location choices to build a vivid and immersive world for the audience.
Music & Soundtrack
Music plays a central and irreplaceable role in Hindi cinema, and Airlift is expected to feature a soundtrack that perfectly complements its drama, thriller, history tone and emotional arc. Full album details, song titles, and composer credits will be updated as they are officially released by the production team. Fans can expect a mix of melodious and peppy tracks that reflect the spirit of the film and the cultural heartbeat of India.
Official Trailer
Box Office Collection
| Total Collection | ₹221.67 Cr |
Where to Watch
Moviegoers across India can catch Airlift in theatres, with screenings planned across Delhi, Pune, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Mumbai. The Cinema Verse strongly encourages Hindi cinema fans to experience this film on the big screen — the theatrical experience, with its immersive visuals, surround sound, and shared audience energy, brings the story of Airlift to life in a way that no home viewing can replicate. Supporting Hindi films in cinemas also directly helps the Bbbollywood industry grow and produce more high-quality content for audiences everywhere.
Why Watch Airlift?
With its promising cast, strong creative team, and a story that taps into the pulse of Hindi society, Airlift has generated significant buzz and anticipation among Hindi cinema audiences. Fans of drama, thriller, history films in particular have reason to look forward to this one, given the quality of talent assembled and the ambition of the production. Social media has been buzzing with discussions about the film's trailer, posters, and music — all of which point to a major release that could define this season for Bbbollywood. Box office observers are closely watching Airlift as a potential standout film of the year.
