FIRST LOOK: AIRLIFT - Akki, Nimrat get intimate

Their evacuation drama kicked off in a grand mansion in a Mumbai studio.
The Raja Menon-directed Airlift went on floors on Saturday in a suburban stu dio in Mumbai. A grand mansion, complete with Arabic carpets and interiors resembling an affluent Middle-Eastern household, was created for the shoot.
For the leading lady, Nimrat Kaur, whose last outing on a Hindi movie set was in the indie drama, The Lunchbox, being part of a mega budget, mainstream Bollywood production is a `first-time' experience.And the actress agrees that the stakes are “much higher".
READ: Akshay Kumar: lesser known facts
In contrast to Ila, a lonely housewife yearning for her husband's attention, Nimrat's character in Airlift is a much-loved woman enjoying a privileged life in an opulent mansion. Amrita is married to billionaire Ranjit Dayal, a Kuwaitibusinessman of Indian origin who goes on to strategise and execute the evacuation of Indians trapped in the Gulf-nation after neighboring Iraq, led by Saddam Hussein, declared war in the early 90s.
The actress admits she was a little nervous about working with Akshay Kumar. “He's a huge star and I'm only starting out," she reasons. “I've been watching his movies for two decades now. But despite the stardom, he's a lovely, down-toearth person.“ Day 1 with Khiladi Kumar was long but for Nimrat, time just flew by. “We shot some intimate scenes but it wasn't awkward at all thanks to Akshay who kept cracking jokes to keep the mood light,“ reveals the actress whose wardrobe is also dramatically different from those dull salwar-kurtas she wore in her debut film. “This film is set in the '90s and the costume designer has come up with a wardrobe for Amrita which resembles that of Kuwait's richest. I never imagined shooting this film would be so much fun and it's only the first day." Her co-star was equally excited about the project. “Rarely does one come across a story that has such a unique yet universal appeal," he pointed out. The period-drama is produced by Bhushan Kumar, alongwith Nikhil Advani and Vikram Malhotra.
It details the world's largest civilian evacuation, master minded and spear headed by Kuwaiti billionaire, Ranjit Katyal who used the national carrier Air India, to evacuate over 170,000 Indians.
He led the endeavour at the cost of a great person al sacrifice.
The film which is targeting a January 22, 2016, release will move to Ras Al Khaimah and Bhuj next, amongst other locations carefully chosen to replicate the topography of Kuwait and Baghdad in the early '90s.
For the latest in Bollywood news, like us on Facebook >>> TOIEntertain
For latest Bollywood updates follow us on Twitter >>> @TOIEntertain
WATCH: Nimrat Kaur to play Akshay Kumar’s wife - TOI