Mission Raniganj Movie Review: Akshay Kumar's Survival Thriller is Drowned By Its Chaotic Editing and Overdramatic Storytelling (LatestLY Exclusive)

Mission Raniganj - The Great Bharat Rescue Movie Review: Tinu Suresh Desai's Mission Raniganj is based on the heroic actions of a real-life figure, Jaswant Singh Gill, affectionately known as 'Capsule Gill,' who saved 65 trapped miners in 1989. Akshay Kumar portrays him in this survival thriller, which recreates the accident and the subsequent rescue mission while adding fictional elements to the narrative. Unfortunately, it's these fictional elements, combined with some questionable technical aspects, that ultimately detract from the overall impact of Mission Raniganj - with the odd tagline 'The Great Bharat Rescue', why the need to add a nationalist tag to everything? Interestingly there is a scene where Akshay Kumar's character is seen mouthing 'India' but 'Bharat' is dubbed over it. Ajeeb fakeeri this! Akshay Kumar Deletes 'Mission Raniganj' Post Mentioning 'India' And Reshares It With 'Bharat', Is It 'India vs Bharat' Debate Impact?.

When the movie begins, Jaswant Gill is a General Manager in one of the mines in Raniganj, dedicated to his work yet cherishing his pregnant wife (Parineeti Chopra). Since Akshay plays the lead, we are treated to a comically heroic entrance followed by a wedding dance song (not to mention, a clearly fake beard). Thankfully, the film soon discards these distractions and moves swiftly to the real subject, where miners are on the brink of a terrible disaster.

Gill springs into action upon learning that a freak accident has flooded one of the neighbouring mines, trapping approximately 70 miners inside. While authorities fear the worst, Gill remains steadfast in his belief that hope should not be abandoned until verified. The film chronicles his efforts to rescue the trapped miners using available resources and dedicated individuals while navigating obstacles posed by corrupt bureaucrats and the forces of nature.

Watch the Trailer of Mission Raniganj:

The real-life account of Jaswant Gill's ingenious rescue mission is a story worth sharing. It doesn't demand a lavish budget but rather requires creative thinking and commitment to portraying the danger faced by the miners authentically, enabling viewers to grasp the significance of Gill's achievements. Earlier this year, the Malayalam film 2018, India's official entry for the Oscars in 2024, achieved a similar feat admirably despite budget constraints. 2018 Movie Review: Jude Anthany Joseph's Film Celebrates Humanity in This 'Disaster' Film With Impressive Show From Tovino Thomas, Asif Ali, Lal and Others.

However, Mission Raniganj falls short right from the outset. Desai's direction lacks inspiration, and this deficiency is evident in various scenes. The subpar visual effects make the flooding sequences unintentionally laughable, and the coal mine scenes often appear artificial. Frequent use of green screens to depict fake backgrounds or crowds is also noticeable, at times making it seem as though Akshay Kumar has been copy-pasted into certain sequences.

This overt fakery diminishes the gravity of the tragedy the film aims to convey, and the reliance on over-dramatisation further undermines the authenticity. Whether it's the friction among the miners caused by a melodramatic portrayal of a rebellious worker, played by Ravi Kishan, or the caricatured antagonist, played by Dibyendu Bhattacharya, inserted merely to create hurdles for the hero's mission, these elements erode the credibility of the characters and the setting.

The second half of the film fares better, with the urgency of the situation drawing viewers in. Mission Raniganj performs more decently when it focuses on the mechanics of the mission, as Gill's plan swings into action, with him and his team racing against the clock and poisonous gases to save the miners. However, the film continues to inject excessive melodrama into the situation, making it challenging to believe that those trapped in the mines represent once real survivors.

Oddly, the film's editing is chaotic and restless, as if it's in a hurry to catch the last local train to Karjat. While this approach might have been intended to convey urgency, it leaves no room for scenes to breathe or dialogues to settle. This restless editing, along with theatrical performances and poor VFX, keeps viewers disconnected from nearly everything, and that never should happen in a survival thriller where you need to empathise with both the rescuers and the rescuees. Mission Raniganj: Did You Notice This 'Copy Paste' Goofup in Poster of Akshay Kumar's New Film?

As for Akshay Kumar, he commits to his role, but the performance largely follows familiar beats. However, there is one standout moment in the film: when Jaswant descends into his capsule and emerges with a mix of trepidation and fear, eventually giving way to relief upon seeing the miners alive. Amidst all the noise, this quiet moment stands out because it feels genuine and touching. Wish this movie had more of these.

Final Thoughts

Mission Raniganj may have aimed to honour a remarkable real-life hero and a captivating rescue mission, but it falls short in delivering the authenticity and gravitas required to do justice to the story. Despite its moments of urgency and Akshay's committed performance, the film struggles with technical shortcomings, over-dramatisation, and an inability to immerse viewers fully into the miners' harrowing plight.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 06, 2023 10:00 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).