Mission Mangal was the right movie, on the right day.
What better way to celebrate India’s Independence Day, than by saluting the team of scientists at ISRO, mainly women, who were responsible for India being the first country in the world to reach Martian orbit?
Sure, Mission Mangal may not be the best-made movie and maybe a few facts are distorted. But it is a feel-good film, made with the best intentions and the audience as a whole, in a quiet, dark theatre in Abu Dhabi, stood up and clapped heartily, as the credits rolled.
While Akshay Kumar is thoda-too-much filmy, but still sweet, it is Vidya Balan who impresses. I confess that I was not a fan of her over-the-top, giggly performance in Tumhari Sullu, but in Mission Mangal, she is real, strong, believable and so natural, as the passionate scientist, who juggles several roles — mom, wife of a nagging husband and who finds inspiration from pooris being fried in the kitchen!
Nithya Menon, Sonakshi Sinh, Kirti Kulhari and Tapsee Panu, make up the strong female team, each of them with their own story lines.
Watch Mission Mangal, to remember ISRO’s achievement and applaud the women scientists who were an integral part of the team.
Despite its many flaws, Mission Mangal made me happy!
Jai Hind!
Mission Mangal (2019). Director: Jagan Shakti. Writers: R. Balki and Riturraj Tripathii. Players: Akshay Kumar, Vidya Balan, Sonakshi Sinha, Taapsee Pannu, Nithya Menen and Sharman Joshi. Music: Amit Trivedi; Tanishk Bagchi. Theatrical release: Cape of Good Films, Fox STAR Studios and Hope Pictures.
Uma Kaushik is an aspiring writer and blog-wati with a passion for the world of movies. The only thing better than the cinematic experience, she says, is the pleasure of foisting opinions on an unsuspecting public!
