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Irrfan Khan Was the First Choice for 'Airlift': Here's Why He Declined

Irrfan Khan was one of the most talented actors of Indian cinema. The actor has given many successful and memorable films in his acting career.

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By Bollyy
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Irrfan Khan Was the First Choice for 'Airlift' Here's Why He Declined
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Irrfan Khan was one of the most talented actors of Indian cinema. The actor has given many successful and memorable films in his acting career. His last release was Angrezi Medium opposite Radhika Madan. Although he is no longer among us, Irrfan's legacy lives on. In a recent interview, producer Nikkhil Advani remembered Irrfan and revealed that he was the first choice for his 2016 film Airlift. Irrfan Khan was the first choice for Airlift 

wanted to make Airlift with Irrfan

A Life in Movie': New book to offer compelling account of Irrfan Khan's iconic life - The Economic TimesAirlift: Amazon.in: Akshay Kumar, Nimrat Kaur, Lena, Purab Kohli, Raja Krishna Menon, Akshay Kumar, Nimrat Kaur: Movies & TV Shows

In an interview, Nikhil revealed that director Raja Menon wanted to make Airlift with Irrfan. The producer was happy with his choice as the actor was already working on his directorial venture D-Day. "I told him that I will fix a meeting with Irrfan, and Irrfan listened to me. He told me, 'Boss, don't do this picture with me, it's a great film, but don't do it with me because you won't get the budget. Go to Akshay. You know Akshay,'" he revealed.

Film review: 'Airlift' soars on its own merits but remains a flight of fantasy

As soon as Irrfan suggested Akshay's name, Nikkhil met the actor but narrated another film. After Kumar called it 'rubbish', Advani narrated Airlift and told him that Irrfan did not want to do the film. Nikkhil told Akshay that he could not do Airlift as it was a serious film and the director wanted workshops to be held. "He told me he wanted to do the film. I told him Raja doesn't want you, but Akshay did the film. He sat in several workshops continuously," Nikkhil recalled. Akshay finally did the film in 2016 and it received a positive response from audiences and critics.

More information about the airlift

A still from Airlift.

Airlift starring Akshay Kumar and Nimrat Kaur in the lead roles is based on the story of a businessman who evacuated Indians living in Kuwait during the invasion of Kuwait. In this film, Akshay played the role of Kuwaiti businessman Ranjit Katyal, while Nimrat was seen as Amrita Katyal. If you have missed watching Airlift on the big screen.

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