Film is based on mass evacuation of Indians from Kuwait in 1990.
By Sreekanth A Nair
Akshay Kumar and Nimrat Kaur-starrer ‘Airlift’ has become the first movie of 2016 to gross above one billion Indian Rupees ($14.73 million). The film earned 19.26 crore ($2.8 million) in the second weekend to earn a total of 102.7 crores ($15.1 million).
Airlift had earned 83.5 crores ($12.3 million) in its first week.
“’Airlift’ is now in the Rs.100 crore club with its box office collection crossing the Rs.100 crore figure on Sunday. It has met our expectations of being in the Rs.100 crore club and we are sure that with the Uttar Pradesh government making it tax-free, in the second week the movie will do much better business,” Prashant Tiwari, chairman, Prateek Entertainments, which has released the film, said in a statement.
“#Airlift has a FANTASTIC Sunday. Crosses 100 cr mark. [Week 2] Fri 4.50 cr, Sat 6.50 cr, Sun 8.26 cr. Total: 102.76 cr. India biz,” film critic Taran Adarsh tweeted.
Directed by Raja Krishna Menon, Airlift features the evacuation of 170000 Indians from Kuwait in 1990 when Iraq invaded the country.
The film revolves around Ranjit Katyal, a well-known businessman based in Kuwait. Being a successful business tycoon, money was the only consideration for Katyal.
But watching and experiencing the agonies a refugee community turns him into a savior. A man, whose first priority was to escape himself and his family from the country which was in turmoil, becomes the rescuer of 170000 people.
Showing the emotions of people who face the horrors of war and the attitude of governments and bureaucracy towards the refugees, the supporting cast of Prakash Belawadi, Inaamulhaq, Purab Kohli and Kumud Mishra also did their part well.
#Airlift keeps flying higher and higher! We are so proud and happy! Thank you all very much!Akshay Kumar #NimratKaur Abundantia Entertainment T-Series T-Series Films
Posted by Airlift on Monday, February 1, 2016
#Airlift keeps flying higher and higher! We are so proud and happy! Thank you all very much! pic.twitter.com/yK06YldFXV
— Airlift (@AirliftFilm) February 1, 2016