PremiumNot Akshay Kumar, Irrfan Khan was the first choice for Raja Menon's Airlift; here's why he refused to do it
Airlift producer Nikkhil Advani recently revealed that Irrfan Khan was the first choice for his film. However, the late actor refused to do the 2016 film.
Last Updated: 01.36 PM, Jan 07, 2025
Irrfan Khan was one of the most talented actors in Indian cinema. The actor delivered several successful and memorable films in his acting career. His last theatrical release was Angrezi Medium with Radhika Madan. Although he is no longer with us, Irrfan's legacy lives on. In a recent interview, producer Nikkhil Advani remembered Irrfan and revealed he was the first choice for his 2016 film Airlift.
Irrfan Khan was the FIRST choice for Airlift
In an interview with Galatta Plus, Nikkhil revealed director Raja Menon wanted to make Airlift with Irrfan. The producer was fine with his choice because the actor was already working on his directorial venture, D-Day.
"I told them I would set up the meeting with Irrfan, and Irrfan overheard me. He told me, ‘Boss, mere sath mat kar ye picture (Don’t do this film with me). It is a fantastic film but don’t do it with me because you will not get the budget. Go to Akshay. You know Akshay," he revealed.
As Irrfan suggested Akshay's name, Nikkhil met the actor but narrated another film. After Kumar called it 'rubbish', Advani narrated Airlift and informed him that Irrfan didn't wish to do the movie. Nikkhil told Akshay that he couldn't do Airlift because it was a serious film and the director wanted workshops to be done.
"He told me that he wanted to do it. I told him Raja doesn’t want you, but Akshay did the film. He sat for workshops after workshops," recalled Nikkhil. Akshay eventually did the 2016 film and it opened to positive feedback from the audiences and critics.
More about Airlift
Starring Akshay Kumar and Nimrat Kaur in lead roles, Airlift followed the story of a businessman who carried out the evacuation of Indians based in Kuwait during the invasion of Kuwait. In this film, Akshay played the role of a Kuwait-based businessman Ranjit Katyal whereas Nimrat was seen as Amrita Katyal.
If you missed watching Airlift on the big screen, you can revisit the film by streaming it on JioCinema and OTTplay Premium.