Bollywood has seen a surge in films based on true events, with biopics and stories inspired by real-life achievements gaining immense popularity. One such film is Mission Mangal, which hit theaters in 2019. The movie, starring Akshay Kumar, depicts India’s incredible journey to Mars and the pivotal role played by ISRO scientists in making this mission a reality. Alongside Akshay Kumar, the film featured an ensemble cast of talented actresses including Vidya Balan, Taapsee Pannu, Kirti Kulhari, Sonakshi Sinha, and Nithya Menon, who portrayed the brilliant women behind the success of the Mars mission.
Directed by Jagan Shakti, Mission Mangal became a major hit, earning numerous awards and accolades. As the film celebrated its fifth anniversary, it once again made headlines when ISRO Chairman Dr. S. Somnath shared his thoughts on the movie.
ISRO Chairman’s Take on ‘Mission Mangal’
In a recent interview on Ranveer Allahabadia’s podcast, Dr. S. Somnath, the current Chairman of ISRO, was asked if he and his team had watched Mission Mangal. Dr. Somnath confirmed that he, along with the entire ISRO team, had indeed watched the film. He described the movie as an “entertaining film” and appreciated how it depicted certain aspects of the life of ISRO scientists, albeit with a humorous twist.
A Fun Film with Creative Liberties
While acknowledging the entertainment value of the film, Dr. Somnath also pointed out some creative liberties taken by the filmmakers. He humorously noted that the portrayal of women scientists cooking in the control center, as shown in the movie, does not reflect reality. “You must have seen all of them during Chandrayaan-3. They were all there,” he remarked, referring to the women scientists who played crucial roles in ISRO’s missions. Despite these embellishments, Dr. Somnath enjoyed the film, viewing it as a fun and lighthearted representation of ISRO’s historic achievement.
Taapsee Pannu’s Pride in ‘Mission Mangal’
Mission Mangal had a remarkable opening at the box office, crossing the ₹100 crore mark within just five days of its release. Actress Taapsee Pannu, who played a supporting role in the film, expressed her pride in being part of such a significant project. Reflecting on the film’s success, Taapsee shared her excitement about the film’s opening. “This is a big opening film for me as well. In fact, it is the biggest opening film for all of us,” she said, referring to herself and her co-stars, including Akshay Kumar and Vidya Balan.
Taapsee also addressed the criticism that Akshay Kumar should avoid films where women have prominent roles. She confidently stated, “We can also claim that we women together have given Akshay sir his biggest opener.” Her comments highlighted the strong performances by the female cast members and the collaborative effort that contributed to the film’s success.
Mission Mangal’s Box Office Success
Mission Mangal was made on a budget of ₹95 crores and opened to a strong start, earning ₹29.16 crores on its first day alone. The film went on to become a blockbuster, grossing a total of ₹279 crores worldwide, according to Box Office India. Its success was a testament to the compelling story of India’s Mars mission and the stellar performances by the cast.
As Mission Mangal celebrates its fifth anniversary, it continues to be remembered as a film that not only entertained but also inspired audiences by showcasing the brilliance and determination of India’s space scientists. Dr. S. Somnath’s lighthearted remarks further add to the charm of the film, reminding us that while movies may take creative liberties, the real heroes are those who achieve the seemingly impossible in real life.
