Akshay Kumar's Airlift is the story of the biggest-ever human evacuation in the history of mankind. Directed by Raja Menon, Airlift is about those 1,70,000 Indians stranded in Kuwait when Saddam Hussein invaded the country in 1990, and kick-started the Gulf War.

At the Delhi press conference of the film, Akshay Kumar had a snippet or two to share about his latest patriotic venture, Airlift. Talking about the ideology behind the film, Akshay told reporters, "Is film ka nazariya yeh hai ki hum dikahana chahte hai - dikhana kya, yeh hakikat mein hai - India is the greatest country in the world. This is a real story of what happened to 1,70,000 Indians who were in Kuwait when Saddam Hussein had attacked the country in 1990. They didn't know where to go, what to do and had only one hope: calling out to their nation for help. And aapko yeh jaanke khushi hogi ki hamare jo Air India ke pilots hai unhone uss time risk uthaya and 488 flights (Kuwait ke) andar lekar gaye aur sabko bachake le aaye. This is why I chose to do this film."

Akshay's film has often been compared to Ben Affleck's Oscar-winning film Argo. The 2012 film chronicles the life-or-death covert operation to rescue six Americans, which unfolded behind the scenes of the Iran hostage crisis (November 4, 1979, to January 20, 1981). And on this, the Brothers actor said, "It's an insult if you compare Airlift with Argo because they saved only six people and we saved 1,70,000 people. How can Airlift be a copy of Argo when the Kuwait incident is a true story? It is not a copy. It is something which you should be proud of. It is the story of the biggest-ever human evacuation in the history of mankind."

Elaborating on the point, director Raja Menon said that there was no similarity between his film and Argo, and it's just that the two films share a common theme of evacuation. "There is absolutely no connection in between these two films. The only faint link is that some people were saved in a covert operation. Everything else is different. It is only a similar genre. Our film is about the single greatest achievement of independent India. Argo is not in that space. It's like saying that every romantic film is the same or every thriller is the same," said Menon at the press conference.

Akshay also revealed that he was unaware of the whole Kuwait incident and came to know about it, thanks to his director. He continued, "I was shocked ki aisa bhi kuch hua tha, that's why I chose to do this film and then we decided that I should produce the film too. Agar aap dekhein toh, back in 1990, sirf ek hi article tha jisne yeh cover kiya tha. India ne itna chup chap ye kaam kar diya. It is not a matter of joke. The government did it so silently. I have met those people (who were rescued and brought back to the country) and they cry when they recall the whole incident. I was deeply inspired by the story."

Akshay will be seen playing the role of a rich businessman Ranjit Katyal, who managed to survive the Iraqi invasion, and against all odds started a mission to save all the Indians stuck in Kuwait. Apart from Akshay, the film also stars Nimrat Kaur in the lead role. The Lunchbox actor will play Ranjit's wife Amrita and reflecting on her and Akshay's character, Kaur said, "Amrita knows of him as a shrewd businessman who will do anything to make sure that he gets what he wants. And here, he is making a large move as a civilian to rescue 1,70,000 people eventually. He is putting his life and his family's life on the line. She doesn't understand him initially, but later on she managed to support him when he was falling apart."

Nimrat and Akshay in Delhi for the promotions of Airlift. Pic Credits: Yogen Shah Nimrat and Akshay in Delhi for the promotions of Airlift. Pic Credits: Yogen Shah

During the media interaction, Akshay was asked how he managed to do intense films like Baby and Holiday and then switched to doing commercial films like Singh Is Bliing. "I keep on challenging myself all the time. I want to be in my comfort zone and then try some roles which are challenging for me. Singh is Bliing and Housefull 3 are in my comfort zone, but this one is not; Baby was not," said the Gabbar Is Back actor.

Akshay also revealed that before the film hit the screens, he will be releasing a video of those people who went through this traumatic experience. "If you go through the Guinness Book Of World Records, the biggest air evacuation was done by our country, India. And this is why I wanted to bring it in front of everybody," said the 48-year-old actor.

Kumar said that he would require the Indian Government's help for making such films and show what the nation has done for the benefit of their countrymen. He also added, "America mein 100 films banti hai and they all show America is a great country and a saviour of every attack. Kuch bhi ho, even an alien attack, toh bhi America will save the whole world. Then why can't India? We should also make films like America does and let people know the greatness of our country. And I would like to make a film where Indians save the Americans."

Directed by Raja Menon, Airlift will hit the screens on January 22 this year.