Directed by Ajay Devgn himself, Runway 34 is a fantastic thriller thrived on such an off-beat concept that distinguishes it from other B’wood regulars. There is not a single boring minute in the film while it also brings out the story with impact!

Inspired by true events, Runway 34 is the story of how an arrogantly flamboyant yet very experienced and professional pilot who calls a Mayday when all their judgements fail due to weather conditions. A risky and deadly decision, he still successfully lands a flight carrying 150 passengers without loss of life.

This story is made extremely thrilling by a very able direction by Ajay Devgn. He has grown as a director and how. After U Me Aur Hum and Shivaay, this is his third directorial feature. Firstly, the concept is very unlike what the usual Bollywood commercial thrillers are like. The first half is entirely shot inside closed walls of a plane and the entire second half in the closed walls of an investigation room. To be able to thrill despite these constraints and to be able to keep the audiences hooked for the entire runtime, is extremely commendable. Runway 34 doesn’t have a single boring moment.

His focus on the VFX, the production design and attention to detail is very strong. The VFX is a very important aspect of the film and never do you feel that it is animated or overdone. While the film is produced by Ajay Devgn Films, the VFX is handled by NY VFXvala which is also his own VFX company.

Not only this, Ajay Devgn’s grip on the narrative and his command on the entire ensemble is amazing. He knows his co-actor’s strengths and brings the best out of Rakul Preet, Amitabh Bachchan and Boman Irani. While Boman Irani doesn’t have much of a room, Rakul Preet brings out her emotions fantastically on screen. And Amitabh Bachchan pulls off another courtroom sequence exceptionally. The others in the cast including, Aakanksha Singh, Angira Dhar and Ajey Nagar (Carry Minati) who have cameo equivalent roles, perform nicely.

Coming to the Producer-Director Ajay Devgn’s performance, he is in the best of form, here as well. He pulls of the character of an arrogant, flamboyant, filled with pride pilot, Captain Vikrant Khanna with ease and excellence. His dialogue delivery, personality and the heroic entry and flight sequences are well portrayed. While initially, his character is purposely written to make you hate him but eventually as the movie progresses, you end up empathizing and supporting the protagonist, the hero!

The dialogues are written nicely, but in a very single screen way. It doesn’t feel organic but you still enjoy the so many one liners and punch lines. And it is hard to digest how these punch lines also make sense! There isn’t one normal dialogue in the film. “Jalaya Toh Nahi Na!”, “Kabhi Uss Jagah Nahi Jana, Jaha Tumhari Soch Tumse Pehle Na Pohoch Jaye”, “I have a photographic memory”, “Pani Ko Itna Ghumao Ki Machliya Dar Jaye”, and so many more. Most of these are given out in the trailer itself.

The cinematography is outstanding and increases the appeal that the production design and visuals already add. Also, the editing is appropriate with no glitches and keeping the length of the film just right. The first half is so engaging that you don’t even realize when it is half time. The BGM is pulsating too.

Summing up, Runway 34 is an exceptional film. Stories like these need to be made more often in Bollywood where so much focus is always on larger-than-life storytelling but seldom on stories inspired by events that actually happen in ordinary people’s lives. A flight turbulence due to weather conditions is the most common thing to happen in our day-to-day lives. And stories like these are nor only relatable, but also make you understand what goes in the lives of a pilot and how the entire system is largely and equally involved in these incidences. If you take a lot of flights frequently or even occasionally, you will relate a lot to Runway 34 and will also have goosebumps. It is not only a must watch for this, but also the thrill and entertainment quotient!

You can watch the trailer here: