The Premise
Crew is the delightfully entertaining heist comedy that Bollywood has been craving. Written by Nidhi Mehra and Mehul Suri, it’s a breezy, lighthearted story that soars high on the charismatic performances of its leading ladies – Tabu, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Kriti Sanon.
The Opening
The film opens in medias res, with customs officials interrogating Geeta, Jasmine, and Divya about a stash of missing illegal gold. We’re then taken back through an extended flashback that lays out exactly how these three unassuming airline employees found themselves embroiled in an audacious smuggling operation.
The Characters
Geeta (Tabu) is a devoted housewife and mother yearning for more financial freedom to provide for her family. Jasmine (Kareena) is a glamorous, high-maintenance fashionista who wants to indulge in life’s finest luxuries. And Divya (Kriti Sanon) is a perpetual liar just trying to finally make her parents proud. Despite putting in long, grueling hours serving passengers, their dreams never quite take flight thanks to the stagnant salaries at Kohinoor Airlines.
The Smuggling Scheme
When the sleazy airline chairman Vijay Walia (Saswata Chatterjee) makes moves to cut costs by firing thousands of employees, it’s the final indignity that pushes the trio over the edge. In a spur-of-the-moment decision, they hatch a scheme to smuggle gold on their international flights and secure their financial futures.
The First Half Delights
The first half of Crew is an utter delight as we become invested in the backstories and motivations of the three protagonists. Director Rajesh Krishnan deftly balances humor and heartache, allowing us to empathize with their desperate situations without ever judging their unethical actions. The flashbacks detailing the origins of the smuggling operation are filled with riotous comedic moments that will have you doubled over laughing.
The Ensemble Shines
But it’s the crackling chemistry between Tabu, Kareena, and Kriti that makes this comedy truly soar. All three inhabit their roles with such relatable authenticity and infectious vivacity. Tabu masterfully walks the tightrope between Geeta’s unflagging ambition and her deep-rooted middle-class modesty. Kareena epitomizes glamorous selfishness as the unapologetically materialistic Jasmine. And Kriti shines as the morally conflicted Divya, delivering yet another luminous performance.
Reveling in Wish Fulfillment
As the three find themselves able to finally live their dreams thanks to the spoils of smuggling, Crew maintains a deliriously giddy and joyful tone. Even when the stakes ratchet higher in the second half, Krishnan keeps the laughs coming at a consistent clip. He’s not interested in judging or moralizing – this is purely a vehicle for enormously entertaining and freeing wish-fulfillment.
The Musical Highlights
The musical numbers only add to Crew’s effervescent charm. “Ghagra” is an instant standout, capturing the unrestrained exuberance of the women unabashedly reveling in their newfound wealth and freedom. A playful remix of the classic “Sona Kitna Sona” elevates an already hilarious sequence to comedic heights.
The Supporting Cast Shines Bolstered by scene-stealing supporting turns from Diljit Dosanjh and Kapil Sharma, Crew manages to stick the landing through sheer force of its indomitable charisma.
The Empowered Finale
As the crescendoing final act reaches outrageous heights of lunacy, you’ll find yourself cheering on these working-class heroines in their pursuit of financial liberation and the lives they’ve been unjustly denied.
A Cheerful Amorality
While some may take issue with the ethics explored, it’s hard to resist the infectious joie de vivre and Crew’s cheerfully amoral rejection of typical feminine archetypes. Geeta, Jasmine, and Divya aren’t damsels in distress nor ruthless crooks – they’re wonderfully human, unapologetically flawed working women who seize their destinies by any means necessary. You can’t help but be swept up in their empowered escapades.
The Verdict
By the time the credits roll, you’ll leave the theater with a big smile plastered across your face. Crew is honestly just a downright blast from beginning to end. With sparkling performances, riotous humor, and an uplifting celebration of friendship and fearlessness, it’s precisely the sort of effervescent crowdpleaser that reminds you why you fell in love with Bollywood in the first place. Do not miss this take on the heist comedy that wholly soars on the talents of its ensemble. No baggage fees, just unbridled fun!
