Airlift
When Iraq invades Kuwait in August, 1990, a callous Indian businessman becomes the spokesperson for more than 170,000 stranded countrymen.
Despite its limited budget of $4.5M, Airlift became a massive hit, earning $32.0M worldwide—a remarkable 611% return. The film's compelling narrative attracted moviegoers, confirming that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Airlift (2016) reveals precise narrative architecture, characteristic of Raja Menon's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 6 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Ranjit Katyal
Amrita Katyal
Sanjiv Kohli
Ibrahim Durrani
George Misra
Main Cast & Characters
Ranjit Katyal
Played by Akshay Kumar
A wealthy Kuwaiti-Indian businessman who transforms from self-interested entrepreneur to selfless leader during the 1990 Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, orchestrating the evacuation of 170,000 Indians.
Amrita Katyal
Played by Nimrat Kaur
Ranjit's supportive wife who remains strong during the crisis and helps organize the Indian community during the evacuation effort.
Sanjiv Kohli
Played by Kumud Mishra
A pragmatic Indian official who works closely with Ranjit to coordinate the massive evacuation operation and navigate bureaucratic challenges.
Ibrahim Durrani
Played by Inaamulhaq
An Iraqi military officer who becomes a dangerous obstacle during the evacuation, representing the threat of the occupying forces.
George Misra
Played by Prakash Belawadi
A loyal employee and friend of Ranjit who helps coordinate the evacuation efforts and supports the community throughout the crisis.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (2% through the runtime) establishes Ranjit Katyal, a wealthy Kuwait-based businessman, lives a privileged life with his family. He is detached from his Indian identity, focused solely on his business empire and luxury lifestyle.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when August 2, 1990: Iraqi forces invade Kuwait. Ranjit and his family wake to the sound of explosions and gunfire. The invasion shatters their world, turning their safe haven into a war zone overnight.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 29 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 23% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Ranjit makes the active choice to help evacuate all Indians from Kuwait. After seeing desperate families and being moved by their plight, he decides to use his connections and resources to organize the evacuation, putting himself at great risk., moving from reaction to action.
At 61 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 48% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat False victory: Ranjit successfully negotiates with Iraqi officers and secures initial approval for evacuation flights. The first group of Indians boards flights to safety. It seems the plan will work, but the stakes are about to intensify., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 92 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Iraqi forces crack down violently, killing civilians and threatening to stop all evacuations. Ranjit is captured and interrogated by Iraqi intelligence. His life is threatened, and it appears the evacuation will fail, leaving thousands stranded., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 100 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Ranjit receives word that the Indian government has committed Air India's entire fleet to the evacuation. This external support, combined with his renewed determination and the trust of his community, gives him the solution: one final massive coordinated evacuation., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Airlift's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Airlift against these established plot points, we can identify how Raja Menon utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Airlift within the drama genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Ranjit Katyal, a wealthy Kuwait-based businessman, lives a privileged life with his family. He is detached from his Indian identity, focused solely on his business empire and luxury lifestyle.
Theme
A character tells Ranjit, "You may have forgotten where you came from, but your people haven't forgotten you." The theme of identity, responsibility, and what it means to be part of a community is introduced.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Ranjit's world in Kuwait: his successful business, his relationship with his wife Amrita and daughter, his social circle of wealthy Indians and Kuwaitis, and his apolitical stance. The comfortable expatriate community is shown.
Disruption
August 2, 1990: Iraqi forces invade Kuwait. Ranjit and his family wake to the sound of explosions and gunfire. The invasion shatters their world, turning their safe haven into a war zone overnight.
Resistance
Ranjit initially plans to flee with just his family. He debates staying versus leaving, attempts to navigate the chaos, and witnesses the Indian embassy's inability to help. He resists taking responsibility for the 170,000 Indians stranded in Kuwait.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Ranjit makes the active choice to help evacuate all Indians from Kuwait. After seeing desperate families and being moved by their plight, he decides to use his connections and resources to organize the evacuation, putting himself at great risk.
Mirror World
Ranjit's relationship with his wife Amrita deepens as she becomes his moral compass. She represents selflessness and community values, teaching him what true leadership means. The bond with fellow Indians also forms, creating a collective identity.
Premise
Ranjit navigates the occupied city, using his business connections and negotiation skills to secure safe passage. He organizes the Indian community, establishes communication with Indian officials, and begins planning the massive evacuation logistics.
Midpoint
False victory: Ranjit successfully negotiates with Iraqi officers and secures initial approval for evacuation flights. The first group of Indians boards flights to safety. It seems the plan will work, but the stakes are about to intensify.
Opposition
Iraqi forces tighten control, making evacuation increasingly dangerous. Ranjit faces betrayal, bureaucratic obstacles from both Indian and Iraqi sides, supply shortages, and growing desperation among refugees. Each successful evacuation becomes harder than the last.
Collapse
Iraqi forces crack down violently, killing civilians and threatening to stop all evacuations. Ranjit is captured and interrogated by Iraqi intelligence. His life is threatened, and it appears the evacuation will fail, leaving thousands stranded.
Crisis
Ranjit, physically and emotionally broken, contemplates giving up. He processes the weight of responsibility for thousands of lives. In his darkest moment, he must find the strength to continue despite overwhelming odds.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Ranjit receives word that the Indian government has committed Air India's entire fleet to the evacuation. This external support, combined with his renewed determination and the trust of his community, gives him the solution: one final massive coordinated evacuation.
Synthesis
Ranjit orchestrates the largest civilian evacuation in history. He uses everything he's learned—negotiation, leadership, courage, and community trust—to move 170,000 Indians to safety over 59 days. The finale shows the last flights departing.
Transformation
Ranjit, now the last to leave, boards the final flight. He looks back at Kuwait one last time, transformed from a selfish businessman into a selfless leader. He has found his identity and purpose through service to his community.