Runway 34 Review: Ajay Devgn, Amitabh Bachchan & Rakul Preet Singh take us through a turbulence of emotions and thrill

By Tanmayi Savadi

on April 28, 2022 05:34:19 PM

Film: Runway 34

Cast: Ajay Devgn, Amitabh Bachchan, Rakul Preet Singh, Boman Irani, Akanksha Singh, Angira Dhar

Director: Ajay Devgn

Rating: 4 Moons

Most of us have experienced turbulence during flights. Sometimes, due to poor weather; sometimes, because of a minor thing like a bird hit. Turbulence is scary. But what if your pilot takes a dangerous route, assuring a safe landing? Well, it’s a situation that’s explored in the new Ajay Devgn, Amitabh Bachchan and Rakul Preet Singh thriller Runway 34.

Making his directorial comeback, Ajay features in the principal role of Captain Vikrant Khanna, an ace pilot who deals with the toughest of situations with ease. His flying skills are once again put to test when he is travelling from Dubai to Cochin with around 150 passengers. His co-pilot is Tanya Albuquerque (Rakul Preet Singh). While Tanya is dedicated and diligent, Vikrant is all about experience and swag.

While the journey begins on a smooth note, the flight goes through bad weather conditions in South India. Vikrant and Tanya have to take immediate and appropriate decisions to ensure the safety of the passengers. Despite a warning from the ATS, Vikrant decides to divert the aircraft to Trivandrum instead of Bengaluru. Unfortunately, this choice puts them in grave trouble.

Despite a safe landing at Trivandrum’s dangerous Runway 34, Vikrant and Tanya are interrogated by Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau officer Narayan Vedant (Amitabh Bachchan). During the interrogation, facts and secrets are exposed. Will Vikrant and Tanya face the consequences for landing the aircraft on the wrong runway? Runway 34 will help you decode this.

The film, which is approximately 2 hours and 28 minutes long, doesn’t bore you. Keeping you on the edge of the seat, the aviation drama excels in holding your attention even when the narrative dips in the second half. Ajay’s direction skills must be appreciated as he manages to translate his vision of providing 100% entertainment on the big screen. Be it the close-up shots, cockpit sequences or the trauma of the passengers on board, Ajay tells a thrilling, exciting and entertaining story through his eyes.

There can be no better Captain Vikrant Khanna than Ajay. Bringing the character alive with his expressive eyes and swag, he does justice to the film as well as the graph of his role. While Vikrant or Vicky is the coolest man around, his emotional side and vulnerabilities are highlighted beautifully in the turbulence segments especially. He sucks us into the world of Runway 34 as an actor and director too.

Mr. Bachchan takes over Runway 34 in the second half. Once again, we see him interrogate his on-screen co-star. As Narayan Vedant, the veteran actor uses his towering presence, baritone and expressive intense eyes to steal your attention. Those who are a fan of his Hindi will be in for a treat. The face-offs between Mr. Bachchan and Ajay are wonderfully executed.

Rakul as Tanya is lovable. Though she holds her own ground in front of the veterans, we would have loved to see her in a longer, richer role. Boman Irani, the head honcho of the airlines for which Vikrant and Tanya work, is wasted. The purpose behind the role is still not clear. Akanksha Singh as Ajay’s wife gets very little to do. Angira Dhar is also wasted in an insignificant role.

The visual effects of Runway 34 will make many jaws drop. It feels as if you are on the flight, experiencing each and every horror that’s happening. The cinematography is equally good. The background music lends support to enhance the beauty of the film.

Runway 34 is a clear winner. However, it doesn’t come without flaws. The first half of the film is excellent and almost perfect, however, the second half could have been tighter rather than talkative. Surely, the climax will surprise you.