One of the best known comedies in American film history is Airplane! (1980). Akarsh Khurana's latest High Jack trailer captures a glimpse of a similar madcap adventure unfolding on an unfortunate plane from Goa.
Directed by Khurana, and produced by Viu India and Phantom Films, High Jack is set to be released on 20 April 2018.
The trailer begins with the sight of three employees convincing their boss Mantra Mugdh (previously RJ Mantra) to hijack a plan to get hold of a gold shipment. The plan is laid out, but it soon meets a complication. The unwitting hijackers do not anticipate the foolishness that often unfolds on an Indian flight.
From a DJ moonlighting as a drug mule (Sumeet Vyas) to a PJ cracking uncle (Kumud Mishra) and completely baffled ATC operators (Nipun Dharmadhikari and Amey Wagh), the trailer is a laugh riot.
I have the potential to do more, says actor Kumud Mishra
The film is being promoted as India's first 'stoner comedy', and rightly so. The trailer is hyped up by the presence of a very strong contingent of online stars. From Sumeet Vyas and RJ Mantra to Nipun Dharmadhikari and Amey Wagh, there are enough familiar faces to make this project a hit on the internet. Even Abish Matthew makes an appearance in the middle of a rave party.
But the magic lies in the writing. Snappy wit, comebacks are contrasted by bad jokes and puns that give it a downright 'Airplane!' feel. Add to this the ridiculous incidents of the hijackers being drugged by the druggie, and you have comedy gold.
Sumeet Vyas and RJ Mantra look good in their roles, and Kumud Mishra brings his own flair for dry wit to the trailer. But it is the ensemble cast and writing that really stands out.
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High Jack is set to be released in theatres on 20 April.