Akshay Kumar is known for his penchant for taking on challenging roles in films based on true stories and unsung heroes. In his latest project, “Mission Raniganj: The Great Bharat Rescue,” he steps into the shoes of Jaswant Singh Gill, the Additional Chief Mining Engineer at Coal India, who displayed remarkable determination in saving the lives of 70 miners trapped in the flooded Mahabir Colliery in Raniganj, West Bengal, back in 1989. In a race against time and when conventional engineering methods failed, Gill ingeniously devised a ‘jugaad’ to rescue the miners.
Kumar delivers a sincere performance, capturing Gill’s unwavering commitment effectively. However, the film’s storytelling falls short in fully doing justice to the gripping plot. Director Tinu Suresh Desai manages to keep the audience engaged with several impactful moments but occasionally falters by placing the hero, Kumar, at the forefront, sometimes overshadowing the miners’ harrowing ordeal. It feels like more attention could have been given to the miners’ perspective.
Running at 2 hours and 18 minutes, “Mission Raniganj” is well-paced, but the first half struggles to set up the plot. It’s bogged down by technical jargon and machinery details, making it challenging for viewers to absorb everything. The story gains momentum only in the final minutes before the interval, and the second half becomes more compelling, allowing us to feel the tension experienced by the trapped miners. Vipul K. Rawal’s story had ample material to explore beyond just one night. The dialogues, written by Deepak Kingrani, are serviceable but lack standout moments.
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Despite being the central character, Gill’s real persona remains somewhat distant. Desai doesn’t delve much into Gill’s personal side, aside from his relationship with his supportive wife, Nirdosh Kaur Gill, portrayed by Parineeti Chopra. It would have been beneficial to provide more insight into Gill’s character beyond his heroics.
“Mission Raniganj” not only portrays a gritty and courageous rescue but also highlights the corruption within the system, with cunning and insecure officers like mining engineer D. Sen (Dibyendu Bhattacharya) jeopardizing rescue efforts. Notable performances include Kumud Mishra as Mahabir Colliery chief R.J. Ujjwal and Pavan Malhotra as Bindal. The actors playing the terrified miners—Ravi Kishan as Bhola, Varun Badola as Shaligram, and Jameel Khan as Pasu—deliver earnest performances in their respective roles.
In conclusion, “Mission Raniganj” leaves you with a sense of victory and pride in heroes like Gill. However, it falls short of fully exploring the story’s depth and humanity, focusing primarily on the heroic deeds.