CAST: Kriti Sanon, Tabu, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Diljit Dosanjh, Kapil Sharma, Trupti Khamkar

DIRECTOR: Rajesh A. Krishnan

In the film Crew, a mischievous and greedy ensemble of flight attendants takes the lead in a crime comedy that ultimately struggles to maintain momentum. Despite a smooth takeoff, the movie encounters turbulence shortly after, marked by inconsistent pacing and noticeable fluctuations in engagement.

Starting with the highlights, there indeed are some noteworthy performances. Kareena Kapoor shines brightly, effortlessly bringing her character to life with a spirited performance that reminds us of her versatility. Similarly, Tabu excels, standing out even when her character’s development feels incomplete, bearing the narrative’s substantial weight with grace.

In an era where certain Bollywood productions are criticized for disseminating selective historical narratives or divisive content, Crew emerges as a refreshing diversion. It’s an unabashed tale of societal retribution, where the affluent are outwitted by those they’ve undervalued without resorting to preaching or adopting a specific agenda. This aspect alone merits recognition for its straightforward entertainment value.

However, a lack of inventive flair hinders the film’s potential for greater enjoyment. The ambition is to strike gold with a blend of humor and heist. Yet, it falls short of igniting a consistent spark of engagement.

The script, crafted by Nidhi Mehra and Mehul Suri, aims for comedic gold but occasionally hits the mark, resulting in laughter that feels too infrequent and subdued. The narrative strives for humor but often fails to fully distract from the movie’s shortcomings, leaving an impression of a journey that could have been significantly more rewarding with just a bit more polish and originality.

The movie is propelled by three determined women who aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo for their own benefit. Yet, they do not overtly preach empowerment or gender equality; instead, they embody these principles through their actions and achievements. Their battle is twofold: against the airline they work for, which has failed to pay them for six months, and against the circumstances of their own lives.

When an unexpected event happens mid-flight — their supervisor suddenly dies at 35,000 feet — these air hostesses see a golden opportunity and seize it eagerly, only to find that the quest for financial security is fraught with unexpected challenges.

Tabu’s character, Geeta Sethi, once crowned Miss Karnal, is a contentedly married woman whose days are overshadowed by the stress of unpaid salaries and escalating debts. Kareena Kapoor plays Jasmine Kohli, brought up by her maternal grandfather (portrayed by Kulbhushan Kharbhanda), who, amidst financial struggles, aspires to become a beauty products entrepreneur, living by the creed of always having a backup plan.

Kriti Sanon portrays Divya Rana, a former academic achiever from a small town in Haryana with an unused airstrip who dreams of flying planes. However, the aviation industry’s slump forces her to work as a cabin crew member, a reality she hides from her parents to spare them disappointment.

Geeta, Jasmine, and Divya, closely bonded yet often challenged in their friendship, embrace the opportunity to change their fortunes without hesitation. However, they must contend with the persistent efforts of a Customs official, Sub-Inspector Mala (portrayed compellingly by Trupti Khamkar, who notably outshines the trio at times), who stands in their way.

Following a confidential tip, the sub-inspector initiates an exhaustive search of the plane carrying Geeta, Jasmine, and Divya. The trio is compelled to disembark, suspected of smuggling gold from Mumbai to a fictional country in the Middle East. This moment marks the beginning of Crew, and the narrative revisits this pivotal scene at the halfway point. The film’s momentum noticeably falters in the latter half as the attempts by the protagonists to rectify their situation unfold without any unexpected twists—except for one.

A glimmer of hope arrives in the form of Customs official Jaiveer Singh (Diljit Dosanjh in a cameo role), injecting a brief spark of excitement into the storyline. Divya, who has had a fleeting past encounter with him over a beer, wonders if he might come to their aid for the sake of old acquaintances.

Crew is Rajesh A. Krishnan’s first foray into cinema, following his debut with the vibrant Lootcase on a streaming platform in 2020. Despite their contrasting scope and aspirations, both films share a common thread of absurd humor and a sympathetic portrayal of those ensnared by an economic system that favors the affluent and leaves the less fortunate to cling to their unfulfilled dreams.

The lead characters in Crew are not ones to consider themselves victims. The men in their lives are supportive and kind-hearted. Geeta’s husband (played by Kapil Sharma in a special role) is a constant pillar of support, unwavering in his loyalty to her. Jasmine’s grandfather serves as both a friend and guardian, offering a blend of companionship and protection. As for Divya, the charming Jaiveer, who casually enters and exits her life, has a natural charisma so potent he could easily win over anyone with minimal effort.

The trio in Crew seeks a fairer shake from life, and the wealthy elite pulls the strings. Tired of inauthentic lives and superficial charades, exemplified by Jasmine’s act of swiping a Louis Vuitton bag for a selfie, they are now poised to challenge those who have taken advantage of them, regardless of the fallout. This storyline brims with untapped potential that the film fails to explore fully.

Crew is akin to a flight that never quite achieves its cruising altitude, running out of momentum just as it should soar. Trapped in a narrative holding pattern cluttered with predictable trivialities, the film’s visual appeal, enhanced by the glamour and boldness of its three leading women, is undeniable. Yet, the surface-level beauty fails to mask the lack of depth beneath.

In Theaters.