The skies just got a lot funnier and more glamorous as ‘Crew,’ the highly anticipated comedy heist drama, landed in cinemas on March 29 to a roaring reception. Headlined by the powerhouse trio of Tabu, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Kriti Sanon, ‘Crew’ weaves a captivating tale of three unapologetically bold air hostesses steering through the turbulence of their lives with laughter and mischief. On its very first day, the film soared to a commendable Rs 8.75 crore box office collection, marking a solid opening amidst a season of festive releases.
Set amidst the backdrop of a floundering airline industry, ‘Crew’ juxtaposes the thematic weight with light-hearted humor, unraveling the story of three women whose lives are as intertwined as they are chaotic. The movie is directed with a flair for the comedic and an eye for style, ensuring that the audience is treated to a spectacle of wit and elegance from start to finish. With the full gamut of day-one shows, the film garnered an impressive 13.93% occupancy across the Hindi belt, with progressively higher attendance through afternoon (24.63%) and evening (28.18%) shows. The real crowd-puller, however, proved to be the night screenings, which saw a whopping 38.62% seats filled, as reported by Sacnilk.com.
In line with Kapoor’s penchant for producing movies with strong female leads and eclectic storylines, ‘Crew’ is no exception. Giving the metropolises of India a reason to flock to theaters, cities like Chennai (58.25% occupancy), Bengaluru (46.00%), Mumbai (31.50%), and Delhi NCR (26.50%) showed considerable enthusiasm for the film, setting the stage for a promising cinematic run.
The movie’s plot revolves around the misadventures of the trio as they morph from your everyday air hostesses into audacious bandits of hilarity and drama. Whether it’s the clever pilfering of peanut boxes or their grandiose plans to amass wealth, these ladies do it all with remarkable panache. Their journey, no less than a roller coaster, is inundated with unexpected turns and a web of deceit, revealing the depths of their daring spirits and their unshakeable bond.
‘Crew’ also enjoys the comedic genius of Diljit Dosanjh and the laugh-a-minute Kapil Sharma, who add their unique flavors to this zesty mix. To nail their roles as the high-flying main characters, Tabu, Kareena, and Kriti delved deep into the world of the cabin crew. As revealed by the screenwriting duo Mehul Suri and Nidhi Mehra, the actresses engaged in comprehensive training with former air hostesses to capture the nuances of their roles, pinpointing the importance of authenticity in their performances.
The spirit of creative collaboration behind the scenes was no less noteworthy, with the movie being a product of the combined efforts of Balaji Telefilms and Anil Kapoor Film & Communications Network. Initially set for a March 22 release, the producers strategically delayed ‘Crew’ to March 29 to avoid box office competition with ‘Madgaon Express’ and ‘Swatantra Veer Savarkar,’ thereby ensuring its triumphant debut.
Rhea Kapoor, no stranger to stories that celebrate the feminine ethos, with her prior successes like ‘Aisha,’ ‘Khoobsurat,’ ‘Veere Di Wedding,’ and ‘Thank You For Coming,’ continues to back the film with her seasoned insight into what makes a film resonate with audiences.
As ‘Crew’ takes flight with its stellar opening, the unique interplay of comedy, drama, and high fashion, coupled with its star-studded cast, is poised to keep the box office numbers climbing. This heist film promises to be a buoyant and stylish ride through the highs and lows of life, friendships, and the indomitable spirit of three women who refuse to buckle under pressure. The cinematic journey may be set against the somber canvas of the struggling airline industry, but the narrative arcs skyward with optimism, laughter, and an elegance that is quintessentially ‘Crew.’
