Sab Kushal Mangal?
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| Image courtesy:IMDb.com |
Akshay Kumar (AK) films more or less tread on a formulaic path - the hero (obvio, AK!) is a good, optimistic man who decides to do something revolutionary using maximum emotion and minimum theory, faces a setback but triumphs in a goosebump-inducing finale. Mission Mangal too, despite the presence of an asteroid belt full of fantastic actresses, eventually enters the AK orbit, just like Mangalyaan entering Mars orbit. #BigSpoilerHaha
Mission Mangal is the story of how scientists from India’s space agency ISRO successfully launched Mangalyaan (the space probe to Mars), in its maiden attempt. Made at a budget of ~Rs 450 crore, till date Mangalyaan remains the least-expensive Mars mission but the most precious jewel in India’s turban. The film takes that jewel and obscurely places it in a needlessly elaborate gold necklace with gold tassels hanging loose from all ends - you do appreciate the necklace, but you wish the focus stayed on the jewel.
A majority of the 18-carat gold in this film is the fabulous Vidya Balan. Ms Balan pulls off the character of Tara Shinde, project manager of Mission Mangal and home manager of her whiny husband, two teenagers and, well, old father in law, absolutely effortlessly. Her enthusiasm and laughter are infectious, and it’s hard not to root for her. My theory is that the name of her character comes from her being the real star of the film and the delicious twinkle in her eye!
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| Image courtesy:IMDb.com |
I’m pretty sure that a lot of thought was put into the names of the characters - AK is Rakesh Dhawan, somewhat based on ISRO’s former chairman Satish Dhawan, Sharman Joshi’s camera expert Parmeshwar Naidu puts his faith in astrology but not Parameshwar and Sonakshi Sinha’s Eka Gandhi wants to ‘Quit India’ as Parameshwar puts it! I really wish some thought had been spared for the characters’ backstories as well because sadly, the characters seem to have only one lined briefs. And because the filmmakers decided to make the film more entertaining and less science-y (a thought I have no objection to), a set of multidimensional characters would have been more appropriate, especially when one has a fantastic set of actresses to work with.
Apart from Ms Balan and AK (who has been in fine form since, like, 1995!), the other talents like Taapsee Pannu, Nithya Menen, Kirti Kulhari Sehgal, HG Dattatreya end up with minimum lines, no character arcs and little screen time. Sonakshi Sinha’s role in this film is akin to Sonam Kapoor’s in Padman - of very little value but high on glamour, while Sharman Joshi is a more fearful version of his Raju Rastogi from 3 Idiots. Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub in guest appearances in films seems to be in fashion right now, so much that I wonder if he will ever be named in the main credits section instead of the ‘Thank you’ section. Sanjay Kapoor’s inability to portray human emotion clashes so horribly with Vidya Balan’s natural ability to emote that it’s puzzling why he is still being encouraged to act!
Apart from Ms Balan and AK (who has been in fine form since, like, 1995!), the other talents like Taapsee Pannu, Nithya Menen, Kirti Kulhari Sehgal, HG Dattatreya end up with minimum lines, no character arcs and little screen time. Sonakshi Sinha’s role in this film is akin to Sonam Kapoor’s in Padman - of very little value but high on glamour, while Sharman Joshi is a more fearful version of his Raju Rastogi from 3 Idiots. Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub in guest appearances in films seems to be in fashion right now, so much that I wonder if he will ever be named in the main credits section instead of the ‘Thank you’ section. Sanjay Kapoor’s inability to portray human emotion clashes so horribly with Vidya Balan’s natural ability to emote that it’s puzzling why he is still being encouraged to act!
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| Image courtesy:IMDb.com |
There is another characteristic of typical AK films - he knows how to attract his audience (as well as their money) and entertain them by tapping the sentimental chord. So although I cringed at scenes involving AK performing his stunts (highly unusual for a scientist), Taapsee Pannu driving, all the women suddenly cleaning and dancing to music in ISRO and an extended club and metro scene, people around me were sincerely laughing their hearts out. But by the end of the film, with stunning CG of the entire trajectory of the MOM, Mars, and space, I was too emotional to even function, despite seeing the glaring flaws in the film. That is only possible while watching an AK film.
One anomaly (for which I am grateful) is the absence of OTT patriotism and a chest-thumping lecture on the greatness of the country. Yes, there are some dialogues in the film (like the 1983 World cup analogies) that do scratch the surface of OTT patriotism, but luckily it doesn’t dig deeper. The national flag is also shown in a more subtle way - hovering in the background of the desks, on the MOM etc - which is both refreshing and touching. The film is as patriotic as a film on science should be. Most importantly, there is no national anthem, saare jahaan se achcha, or vande mataram playing anywhere!
One anomaly (for which I am grateful) is the absence of OTT patriotism and a chest-thumping lecture on the greatness of the country. Yes, there are some dialogues in the film (like the 1983 World cup analogies) that do scratch the surface of OTT patriotism, but luckily it doesn’t dig deeper. The national flag is also shown in a more subtle way - hovering in the background of the desks, on the MOM etc - which is both refreshing and touching. The film is as patriotic as a film on science should be. Most importantly, there is no national anthem, saare jahaan se achcha, or vande mataram playing anywhere!
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| Image Courtesy: IMDb.com |
The film’s visuals by cinematographer S Ravi Varman, are stunning, with golden sepia filters, pan shots of Bengaluru and the warm scenes in Vidya Balan’s house that are reminiscent of the late Sridevi’s home in English Vinglish (done by Laxman Utekar). The dialogues are fun, and I was okay with using pooris, yo-yos and whatnot to explain the science - if you want people to be interested in science, show them science in everyday life, not just in textbooks. Despite all the predictable contrivances, it was fun to watch. The music by Amit Trivedi is unique, as it takes some serious talent to make a cheesy line like ‘Dil Mein Mars Hai’ hummable!
The most important scene in this film, however, is the disclaimer card, which stays for a full five minutes (or so) on the screen, willing you to read it. The phrases ‘fictional characters’ and ‘only for entertainment’ are highlighted in bold and underlined. Take that seriously, and don’t go expecting a Gravity or Martian. Like other AK films, this one will tug at your emotions and intrigue you enough to go home and read up on the topic. I’d suggest you do the same. Watch the Mangalyaan documentary on Hotstar for the actual know-how. For the hijinks, well, you have AK’s version anyway!
The most important scene in this film, however, is the disclaimer card, which stays for a full five minutes (or so) on the screen, willing you to read it. The phrases ‘fictional characters’ and ‘only for entertainment’ are highlighted in bold and underlined. Take that seriously, and don’t go expecting a Gravity or Martian. Like other AK films, this one will tug at your emotions and intrigue you enough to go home and read up on the topic. I’d suggest you do the same. Watch the Mangalyaan documentary on Hotstar for the actual know-how. For the hijinks, well, you have AK’s version anyway!
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