“Crew”, the latest cinematic offering by director Rajesh A Krishnan, casts a refreshing look at a daring heist drama set against the backdrop of the aviation industry’s turbulence. Rated at a dynamic 3.5 out of 5, the film boasts an ensemble led by powerhouse performers Tabu, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Kriti Sanon, with Kapil Sharma and Diljit Dosanjh delivering strong supportive roles. Produced by the trio of Rhea Kapoor, Ekta Kapoor, and Anil Kapoor, “Crew” takes viewers on a high-flying adventure marked by both guts and guile.
The story introduces audiences to Geetu Sethi from Karnal (Tabu), Jasmine Bajwa (Kareena Kapoor Khan) from Jabalpur, and Divya Rana (Kriti Sanon) from a small town in Haryana. Each character is deftly crafted, with backgrounds that kindle relatability and aspirations that mirror existence at society’s edge—an edge that gleams with the luster of gold and the promise of escape from life’s dungeons.
Geetu grapples with her affluent family’s fall from grace, staying hitched to her husband Arun Sethi (Kapil Sharma). Divya’s eyes, once fixated on the azure beyond as a pilot, now reflect the struggle of being ensnared in debt as an air hostess. The unabashedly bold Jasmine, on the other hand, splurges on luxuries and gets entangled in her cravings for a lavish lifestyle—at any cost.
The plot ascends rapidly when the trio stumbles upon gold bars on an employee in the galley, coinciding with their employer, Kohinoor Airlines, spiraling into bankruptcy. The shadow of the real-life debacle of Kingfisher Airlines and its infamous fugitive chairman, Vijay Mallya, looms over this narrative, adding a layer of harsh reality to the cinematic escapade.
As the airline chairman Vijay Walia (Saswata Chatterjee) becomes a ‘bhagoda billionaire’ and the prospect of a grounded existence stares bitterly, Jasmine rallies the crew with a proposition: to embark on a path paved with gold, literally. What unfolds is a heist that accelerates with the velocity of an aircraft at takeoff, packed with thrilling moments of wit, tension, and outright fun.
Despite some instances that surrender to cliché, the film doesn’t allow viewers to unbuckle their seatbelts, thanks to the spirited trio commanding the screen. The men in their lives, like the endearing customs officer Jaiveer (Diljit Dosanjh) and the lamentably besotted Arun, shine but firmly in supporting capacity.
Tabu, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Kriti Sanon deliver performances of unmatched caliber. Tabu, as the seasoned member of the crew, dispenses humor with her trademark finesse. Kareena Kapoor Khan, embodying Jasmine’s hedonistic zest for affluence, is both hilarious and unrestrained. Kriti Sanon stands shoulder to shoulder with these established actors, bringing to life her character with sincerity and passion.
The film’s prowess lies in its ability to capture the essence of its characters—three women, unapologetic about their ages, desires, or flaws, who navigate through the heist with wit and charm. Each scene bears testament to their individual and collective strength, all while they dance to the rhythm of remixed classic Hindi songs, reflecting the cultural heartbeats that underscore their daring deeds.
“Crew” culminates as a high-octane portrait of audacity and empowerment, championed by three protagonists who are as relatable as they are remarkable. It is a film that challengingly cruises through predictability yet emerges victorious because of its triumphant central performances.
In a bold reflection of our times, where crimes unfold with cinematic flamboyance but bear the imprints of real societal pulses, “Crew” takes audiences on a flight that promises just the right blend of defiance, humor, and intrigue—a flight that’s certain to make a lasting impression long after its landing. Watch the trailer and buckle up for this fearless journey.
