In the much-acclaimed movie Airlift, Akshay Kumar as Ranjit Katyal had helped evacuate 1,70,000 Indians from a war-ravaged Kuwait.
Ranjit Katyal was one Mathunny Mathews in real life, who breathed his last at his home in Qadisiya, Kuwait last night. He had orchestrated the mass evacuation of a number of Indians from Kuwait when the country was attacked by the Iraqi army over failed trade-related talks between the emir of Kuwait and Iraq’s President, Saddam Hussein.
The producer of Airlift, Nikkhil Advani, took to Twitter to express his sincere condolences over his demise.
The real #RanjitKatiyal lost his battle with ALS last night. 1,70,000 families pray for you. #RIPSunnyMathew @akshaykumar @RajaMenon pic.twitter.com/Q5FfezzeFq
— Nikkhil Advani (@nikkhiladvani) May 21, 2017
Soon, Akshay Kumar retweeted him.
Extremely sad news, was an honour to portray him onscreen. Thoughts and prayers with his family ?? #RIPSunnyMathew https://t.co/WtrMvvRlRN
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) May 21, 2017
Akshay’s character in the movie was said to be a combination of Mathunny Mathews and an Indian businessman Harbhajan Singh Bedi, by the film’s makers.
Airlift was a critical and commercial success at the box office and got Akshay much appreciation for his acting.
