Akshay Kumar’s is back on screen with his upcoming film ‘Airlift’ for which the actor learnt Arabic language reportedly. In the film directed by Raja Krishna Menon, actor Akshay Kumar plays the role of a Kuwait based businessman, Ranjit Katyal and Nimrat Kaur plays his wife Amrita Katyal in the film.

The story is based on the biggest and most successful operation carried out by India – ensuring the safe homecoming of its citizens stuck in war-torn Kuwait in 1990.

Real Story Behind Airlift Movie:

Iraq wanted Kuwait to reduce oil production, to create a scarcity of oil leading to increasing oil prices, thereby helping Iraq raise more money. But Kuwait refused, leaving Iraq furious.

On August 2nd 1990, Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait (part of the first Gulf War). The Iraqi army took over the city within a few hours. The Kuwaiti royal family managed to escape to Saudi Arabia, leaving the state rudderless. The city was looted and the general population subjugated and made to suffer great tragedies in the hands of the Iraqi army.

Kuwait was home to almost 170,000 Indians, all of who had suddenly become moneyless and homeless. The Government of India, with the help of the Indian Army and Air India, initiated the heroic operation which would go down in history.

After the military aircraft faced difficulties in air-space clearances, it was decided that civilian aircraft would be used. The operation commenced on 14th August, 1990, and continued for almost 2 months after finally coming to an end on 11th October.

Indian government airlifted over 1,70,000 Indians from Kuwait, using 488 flights in just 59 days.

After this mission was successful, Air India entered the Guinness Book of World Records for being a civil airline that helped evacuate the maximum number of people ever!

>>> Watch Airlift Movie Trailer Here <<<

This gripping tale is all set to hit the theaters on January 22. Produced under the banner of T-Series the film also stars Puarb Kohli.