Tushar “MISSION RANIGANJ” is an enthralling tale of a man’s unwavering determination to rescue trapped miners against insurmountable odds, set against the backdrop of 1989 in Raniganj, West Bengal. Akshay Kumar, portraying the role of rescue officer Jaswant Singh Gill, takes center stage in this gripping narrative.
On the fateful night of November 11, a horrific underground blast at Mahabir Colliery leads to a torrent of rushing water, endangering the lives of hundreds of miners. While some manage to escape to safety, a group of 65 miners remains trapped deep within the mine. As dawn breaks, Jaswant valiantly steps forward to spearhead the rescue mission. However, he faces opposition from D Sen (Dibyendu Bhattacharya), a local contact who attempts to take control of the operation with a plan that ultimately fails.
Jaswant, on the other hand, employs his ingenuity and resourcefulness to locate the miners’ highest point within the mine. He meticulously drills a hole in this critical location to establish communication with the trapped miners. Simultaneously, the miners themselves realize that reaching the highest point offers their best chance of survival. As they struggle to make their way there, a formidable obstacle in the form of a stoppage wall threatens their progress. Time becomes their most precious commodity, with the looming threat of drowning or inhaling poisonous gas.
Image Courtesy – Akshay Kumar Instagram
The story, inspired by a true incident and brought to life by Deepak Kingrani, with a story idea by Poonam Gill, is undeniably captivating. Vipul K Rawal’s screenplay keeps the audience engaged with its dramatic and tense moments. Deepak Kingrani’s dialogues, while serviceable, could have benefited from more powerful delivery.
Tinu Suresh Desai’s direction is commendable. Despite a runtime of 138 minutes, he maintains a tight grip on the narrative. He successfully blends complexity and simplicity, portraying Jaswant’s relentless pursuit of the rescue mission amidst political maneuvering and logistical challenges. Memorable scenes include Jaswant’s act of kindness in offering water to a distressed woman, his negotiation with a railway officer to slow down train speeds, the intermission point, the thrilling moment when he establishes contact with the miners and a gripping finale.
However, the film’s first half falls slightly short of creating the desired impact, and the VFX leaves room for improvement. Additionally, some cinematic liberties in the final act may compromise the sense of realism.
In terms of performance, Akshay Kumar delivers a powerhouse performance, though his beard may appear somewhat artificial. Parineeti Chopra’s portrayal of Nirdosh, while competent, feels somewhat forced. Supporting actors like Kumud Mishra, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Pavan Malhotra, and Virendra Saxena provide dependable performances. Rajesh Sharma’s character, Govardhan Roy, tends to be overly theatrical. Among the miners, Ravi Kishan and Jameel Khan leave a lasting impression, followed by Sudhir Pandey, Varun Badola, Mukesh Bhatt, Bachan Pachehra, and Omkar Das Manikpuri. Shishir Sharma’s portrayal of O P Dayal is adequate, while Rajit Kapur and Ananth Narayan Mahadevan have limited screen time.
The film’s songs are somewhat underwhelming, with the exception of ‘Jalsa 2.0,’ which is well-executed. Sandeep Shirodkar’s background score adds a commercial touch to the narrative.
Image Courtesy – Akshay Kumar Instagram
Aseem Mishra’s cinematography is fitting, capturing the essence of the story effectively. Sheetal Iqbal Sharma’s costumes are authentic, and Amrish Patange and Dayanidhi Patturajan’s production design is meticulously researched and detailed. However, the VFX work falls short of expectations. Parvez Shaikh’s action sequences are decent, and Aarif Sheikh’s editing strikes a balanced rhythm.
In conclusion, “MISSION RANIGANJ” leaves a lasting impact due to its compelling storyline, heart-pounding moments in the second half, and Akshay Kumar’s stellar performance. While the film may face challenges at the box office due to limited pre-release buzz, its success will likely hinge on strong word-of-mouth recommendations.
