Mission Mangal Review {3.5}: Akshay Kumar showcases the real women power
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MISSION MANGAL gives us an excellent opportunity to applaud the real ‘stars’ behind the successful launch of Mars orbiter, Mangalyaan, in 2014.
5…4…3…2..1…with a thunderous blast this indigenously made spacecraft, Mangalyaan, soars up towards the sky lifting along spirits and efforts of an extremely intelligent and hardworking ISRO staff. After jubilant clapping and cheering, the exhausted staff gives a triumphant look with a knowing smile to their colleagues….who seem to recall those tiring late nights, innumerable disagreements, struggle to manage home and work, early failures and finally that well-coordinated lets-do-it attitude sums up behind -the- glass lab scenes.
Apart from its research benefits, one can easily say that with this all-important launch, India had almost gate crashed into the elite space club of the world. The real life Mars orbiter was made on a modest budget of 450 crs, much lesser than the budget of Hollywood sci-fi blockbuster, GRAVITY!!!!
Technically, every Indian knows the beginning and end of Mangalyaan launch but the film MISSION MANGAL fills the gaps by letting us know the how and what happened in- between the two ends. Director, Jagan Shakti’s noble intention to highlight the coming off the (space) age of India, seems an enjoyable cinema made to cash on the popular desh-prem sentiment. It is a human story at heart with gamut of emotions and hence should not be compared to Hollywood’s APOLLO 11 & 13. The film’s budgetary constraints and tight deadlines are visible through modest production scale.
Also, the films reads like a lesson from ‘Bal Bharti’ textbook, an extremely basic level storytelling with oversimplified scientific facts…. just like rocket science explained via frying of Purees 😊
But still one must rejoice and give due credit to superstar AK for at least making meaningful films and making common people aware of national victories and social issues.
Naturally, Akshay Kumar, the self-styled messiah of infotainment (information of social causes via entertainment), had to don a lab coat and rimless glasses to slip into the role of a scientist, Rakesh Dhawan. After cheering for Heroes-in-uniform, it’s time to celebrate our Sheros-in-lab coats…..a team of women scientists working under Rakesh Dhawan. Tapsee Pannu , Kirti Kulhari, Nithya Menon and Sonakshi Sinha are part of She- heroes. But most of the action centres around powerhouse of talent, Vidya Balan who essays the role of a project director as she successfully battles the inevitable comparison between ISRO and NASA, the all-American space centre.
Message of women empowerment is very clear….even women in gajras, sarees and bindis are capable of carving out space for themselves in traditionally male bastion.
On serious level it is advisable to watch Discovery channel if one wants to dig-into technical know-how because MISSION MANGAL is made for mass entertainment with fictionalised version tugging at your emotions rather than challenging your IQ.
Departing from his regular one-man show dictate, AK makes an exception in MISSION MANGAL by giving equal screen space to the four actresses. Like all other films, here too Akshay is more concerned about driving home the point of space success rather than getting into needless ‘acting’. That department is handled completely by womaniya gang. Though as a cerebral bi-spectacled professor, he is every inch of a dream-man for women from 16 to 60 years of age 😊
If you are pained at every struggle of Vidya Balan and heaved a sigh of relief at her small achievements than probably you have got swayed by her sincere acting skills. Making most of every role offered to her, Vidya does complete justice to not-very-major role in comparison to her other films.
Tapsee Pannu is another shining star grabbing every subject-oriented film in her kitty. Her character is part of an ensemble cast but she makes her presence felt.
Sonakshi Sinha is a NASA- returned aeronautical engineer and understandably has doubts about ISRO capabilities. Her small role chops her chances to go all out.
After PINK, Kirti Kulhari has not had a good run at the Box Office but she tries her best to give 200% to the film. Her character, is the story of every working woman.
Computer effects are good if not great. Musical score is average since it actually has no place in this short film.
For all the errors and loopholes in MISSION MANGAL, the film deserves a pat on the back for bringing across extraordinary work done by ordinary citizens of India.
