Film: Mission Raniganj: The Great Bharat Rescue

Cast: Akshay Kumar, Kumud Mishra, Ravi Kishen, Pawan Malhotra, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Parineeti Chopra and ensemble

Director: Tinu Desai

Platform: Theatrical

Rating: 4 Moons

When it's Akshay Kumar, you can trust him with any subject and he will ensure a satisfactory product. Similarly, with Mission Raniganj: The Great Bharat Rescue, he revisits the heroic bravery of Mining Engineer Jaswant Singh Gill who risked his life to save around 65 miners trapped inside a flooded coal mine in Raniganj, West Bengal. Set in the late '80s, the Tinu Suresh Desai directorial serves as a good watch with its respective highs and lows. 

Without much ado, Mission Raniganj: The Great Bharat Rescue develops an atmosphere of tension and eagerness. Wrapping itself with realistic topics like work-life politics, good vs evil and curiosity as to what is in store for the audience. While 90% of the film orbits around the rescue mission, Jaswant Singh Gill (Akshay Kumar) and his wife Nirdosh (Parineeti Chopra)’s mature love story acts as a soft touch to an otherwise grim yet engaging watch. Yes, the writers leave no stone unturned in infusing humour where needed and in just the right amount. 

Mission Raniganj doesn't just remain on the surface; it digs deep into the socio-political scenario but not in a preachy way. The film makes the effort to understand the mentality of the miners who are scared for their lives. The arguments that they have reflect the trauma and worry they are experiencing. Director Tinu scores well in the portions that highlight the miners and their problems. However, the film has its share of flaws. Jaswant and Nirdosh's love story is sweet and adorable, but there was no need to glorify it. Tinu gets into the standard storytelling template and this time, with Parineeti. 

Akshay's screen presence and ability to pull off any character with ease is what makes Mission Raniganj a special and good watch. Being the central person in the biopic, he serves his fans enough heroic moments. Be it risking his life or making a comeback from the flooded coal mine, he provides ample seeti maaro moments. 

With Mission Raniganj, Tinu Desai who had collaborated with Akshay on Rustom, gets the heart of the film in place but the post-production fails at times. The dubbing issue is prominent. Lip sync is out of order. But Akshay carries the film on his shoulder and that's a treat for fans. Parineeti Chopra is restricted to somewhat a special appearance. Ravi Kishen does well when it comes to the dialect which is natural to him. Dibyendu Bhattacharya does a good job at being the baddie. Kumud Mishra is wasted in a film that just requires him to smoke throughout. Pawan Malhotra is also good; wish there was more of him to display his true talent. Mission Raniganj is a good attempt at telling an important and inspiring story.