Ashwini Kumar, New Delhi: Why do you watch Akshay Kumar’s films, because the comedy in them is great, the action is amazing and there is definitely emotion. But in the last few years, with films like Air-Lift, Rustom, Padman, Kesari, Akshay has started telling the story of the unsung heroes of the country, which has now reached Mission Raniganj with Oh My God 1 and 2. Akshay is moving towards the title of Bharat Kumar.
Mission Raniganj is the story of the 1989 Raniganj Coalfield disaster, in which a blast inside the mine at midnight caused water to erupt, trapping around 65 miners. To save them, engineer Jaswant Gill made a plan, which became the world’s largest and most successful miner rescue mission. For this, Jaswant Gill also received a bravery award from the President.
This story of Jaswant Gill’s bravery came into limelight through newspapers, but just as the world forgets everything, it also forgot this story.
Pooja Films took the initiative to depict this story of Jaswant Gill and cast Akshay Kumar in the main role and Parineeti Chopra in the role of innocent Kaur Gill. The command was handed over to Tinu Suresh Desai, the writer-director who had won the National Award for making Akshay first by making Rustom.
The film of 2 hours 14 minutes does not waste any time in gaining momentum. Just an introductory scene, which showcases the courage of Jaswant Gill and his connection with his wife, and also a song – Jalsa, which sets the mood of the film, after which the story goes into 5th gear, then the climax. Till then you are tied to your seat.
Do you know what is most interesting in the story of Mission Raniganj, that there is neither comedy nor action in the film? This film runs on a plan, that the lives of 65 miners are at stake approximately 140 feet below the ground. To get them out safely, Jaswant Gill is using a technology, which has not been used before anywhere in the world.
On the other hand, to prove the failure of the General Manager of Coal India, a team is trying to stop this work. Thirdly, a crowd of thousands is standing with anger and disappointment with their eyes fixed on this rescue operation.
However, there are two more angles to this story, one is Jaswant Gill’s wife Nishod Kaur, who is pregnant and even then becomes her husband’s biggest support in the dangerous mission. Secondly, you, who watch the film with bated breath in the theatre, despite already knowing the climax of the film. This is the biggest victory of Mission Raniganj.
Yes, there are shortcomings in the film. For instance, from depicting the beginning of the rescue operation to the major accident in the coal mine – the VFX did not do that good. This is the only drawback of this film. But, the story is so interesting that you ignore even the bland visual graphics.
In terms of performance, Akshay Kumar has once again proved that this rescue operation pattern is his favorite domain. You have seen glimpses of it in Baby, Holiday, Air-Lift, his work in Mission Raniganj goes beyond all these.
Parineeti Chopra is on screen for barely a minute, but whenever she comes on screen looking innocent, the atmosphere changes. You hate Dibendu Bhattacharya intensely in the film, and this is the triumph of his character and acting. The work of Kumud Mishra, Varun Badola, Ravi Kishan, Jamil Khan, Sudhir Pandey and Omkar Das Manikpuri is brilliant and lively.
Go see Mission Mangal Raniganj, because only then you will know that there is no dearth of heroes in India.
3.5 stars to Mission Raniganj.
