‘
Airlift
’ released in 2016, is one of the most loved films of
Akshay Kumar
. Directed by
Raja Krishna Menon
, the film is a historical drama based on the real-life events of the evacuation of Indians from
Kuwait
during the Iraqi invasion in 1990. However, did you know that the film was earlier offered to
Irrfan Khan
?
Yes, you read it right! Recently, the producer of ‘Airlift’ told Galatta Plus that the director had earlier planned to make the film with Irrfan.
He revealed that it was the late actor, who suggested Akshay’s name, believing that the team might get a bigger budget to make the film if Akshay starred in it. He also revealed that the director was initially reluctant to cast Akshay Kumar and wanted Irrfan Khan to play the lead role. Though Irrfan thought it was a ‘fantastic film’, he wanted them to go ahead with Akshay thinking about how the film would fare if it was the latter.
ETimes rated the film 4 out of 5 and our review read, “Airlift has one of Akshay Kumar’s best performances – along with other sterling acts. Rich Indian-origin businessman Ranjit Katyal (Akshay) loves profits and dislikes the idea of India. But Ranjit’s golden life in the desert crumbles when Iraqi forces invade Kuwait. Suddenly, people are savagely shot in the streets, houses looted, buildings blown up, tanks taking over, choppers hovering maliciously amidst minarets.”
I Regret Not Spending More Time With Irrfan Khan: Radhikka Madan
Meanwhile, on the other hand, Akshay Kumar will be next seen in ‘Khel Khel Mein’.
