Movie Review: Mission Raniganj

I was not born when 375 miners had died in the flooding of an IISCO coal mine in Chasnala (Dhanbad) in December 1975. It has been the deadliest mining accident in India. And being born in Bokaro, just 40 km away from Dhanbad, our childhood was too often privy to discussions around the disaster. The tragedy was immortalised by the Amitabh Bachchan starrer 'Kaala Paththar' in 1979. With big names like Shatrughan Sinha, Shashi Kapoor, Neetu Singh, Yash Chopra and Salim-Javed to boast of in its team, it has become a classic over the years. 

The basic causes of accidents and injuries in underground mines are unsafe conditions, unsafe acts or both. A little bit of Google search shows that mining disasters occur as a result of large mine fires, powerful mine explosions, violent rock gas outbursts and water inundations. All operating mines have to contend with the real danger of being overtaken by one or more disasters at some point of time during their lifespan. 

Though fatality rates have shown a steady improvement, this was not the case in November 1989 when a frightening incident unfolded in Raniganj, West Bengal, and over 200 coal miners faced a terrifying situation deep within the earth.  

It could not be more fateful today. 41 Workers are trapped inside the partially collapsed Silkyara Tunnel in Uttarkashi for last 14 days. Yes, 14 days. The optimistic timelines are being revised frequently. The Auger Machine for horizontal drilling, brought from the USA, is facing repeated hurdles, and rescuers are now preparing to start vertical drilling. Talk about the uncertainties and challenges of mining rescues. Authorities are afraid to give timelines and are only too happy to keep the optimism alive.

Optimism was the only thread of hope in 1989 too. 

How many of us knew about Jaswant Singh Gill? Making biopics on unsung heroes is a great initiative in Indian cinema. It’s every actor’s pursuit to enact a person who emerged extraordinary under extreme circumstances. 

Akshay Kumar’s ‘Mission Raniganj: The Great Bharat Rescue’, is based on the life of Jaswant Singh Gill, who played a significant role in rescuing miners trapped inside a flooded coal mine in November 1989. It is one of those inspiring Akshay Kumar biopics which any audience would appreciate. The film narrates how accidents are politicised, the life risks involved in entering mines and how minimal expenditure is done for safety measures. Such reality check films expose the ignored set of humans whose existence is a mere number, their compulsion to work in unhealthy environment and their spirit to stand for each other despite unrelenting scarcity. 

Dating back to 1774, the Raniganj Coal Mine holds a significant place in India’s history as it was our first coal mine. 

On 13 November 1989, a series of blasts broke the Mahabir Colliery in Raniganj, West Bengal, when someone accidentally touched the upper seam of the mine, which shattered the underground water table and led to heavy flooding. During the night, around 232 miners were working in the 320-foot deep coal mine to excavate coal through explosions. While 161 miners who were near the lifts in the pit were immediately evacuated, the remaining 71 were left trapped in the borewell. When the shafts started flooding with water, six coal miners tragically drowned, leaving the rest 65 trapped in the mine, confined in uncomfortable narrow spaces. 

A rescue mission was launched, involving intricate drilling and communication with the trapped workers. Several distinct locations required attention where separate holes had to be drilled according to the mine map. Walkie-talkies were used to support contact, while essential supplies were lowered down. 

Amidst this extreme situation, one man stood out as a ray of hope. An Indian School of Mines (ISM Dhanbad) graduate, Engineer Jaswant Singh Gill, Chief Mining Engineer of Coal India Limited, took it upon himself to enter the mine voluntarily. His courage and determination were the driving force behind the mission’s success. He stayed in the mine until the very last worker was safely brought out. When hope meets the divine prowess, the possibilities of survival of the trapped miners overpowers negative minds. 

The movie is a captivating portrayal of the heroic rescue mission. The film's narrative unfolds with precision, shedding light on the details of this historic incident, even for those familiar with the story. The screenplay ensures that the audience is immersed in the tense and challenging rescue operation. With its gripping storytelling, outstanding performances, and a real-life hero as its inspiration, "Mission Raniganj: The Great Bharat Rescue" is a testament to the human capacity for courage and sacrifice. It's a cinematic experience that will leave you both informed and deeply moved.

The film is on similar lines with Amitabh's 'Kaala Pathar'; but 'Mission Raniganj' is a notch higher. Thrilling situations, Emotional connect with the trapped miners on display, Light moments of Akshay and Parineeti and the influential evil guys playing politics is shown ridiculously well. Kudos to Dibyendu Bhattacharya (remember Prof Raza in Rocket Boys Season 2). You will hate him in the film. And, that's the power of his performance. 

The screenplay is well-written. The film does a good job of explaining the technical aspects of the rescue mission in a way that is easy for viewers to understand. It also balances the suspense and excitement with the human drama of the story. The misery of miners' lives, their pain, agony, helplessness and hard life are depicted wonderfully. There are all different shades as happiness , joy, sorrow, pain, grief, distress of miners, anti plots to foil the rescue plan.

Cinematography and technical details are impressive and the effort to replicate the equipments used at that time is phenomenal. 

Parineeti Chopra is in a small likeable role as Akshay's wife which brings in some lighter moments to this intensive drama. She literally brightens up the screen with her presence in no small measure.

Akshay Kumar is back with his intense brilliance and in his best genre, that is being 'Bharat Kumar'. He looks really dashing in Pagdi, glasses and black beard. He is more than aptly cast with his wit, presence of mind, empathy, understanding of situation, quick decision making and obviously fearlessness. This genre belongs to him, and he has given his 100% for this film to make it better and lovable.

The Raniganj coal mine incident serves as a testament to human resilience and the unbeatable spirit in the face of adversity. It reminds us of the unlikely heroes who appear in the darkest of times. Like Capsule Gill, Jugaadu Bindal, Management Leaders and Union Leader MLA.

The film leaves you with a thought, every human is given an opportunity to do selfless work in big or small scale, but it’s our attitude towards adversities which test the skill to survive and emerge as a hero in our own eyes. This confidence is the most treasured and most respected attribute the living being can ever experience. 

Experience the triumph of the human spirit.... Indeed, one of the best movies of 2023. Completely a family type without any vulgarity, adultery and pure edge-of-the-seat watch. 

I don't know why this movie is not being heard about much in the print and electronic media. That heavy bombardment of paid promotions is missing. Let's not look at the earnings and judge by that , coz the movie is much more than that. Should definitely pick up later.

Postscript : 

1. Talking of the real life hero, Jaswant Singh Gill’s selfless act did not go unnoticed. He was honoured with the Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak and Bhagat Puran Award for his exceptional service to humanity.  

2. Jaswant Singh's act of voluntarily going down in the mine and staying there till the last of the miners was brought up safely, evoked memories of another rescue act of 1992. On 13 October 1992, 11 people, including 1 attendant, had got stuck in a Cable Car at the Timber Trail Resort, on the outskirts of the industrial township of Parwanoo in Himachal Pradesh, after a cable wire snapped leaving the cable car dangling 1300 feet above the Kaushalya River. A joint operation by IAF and Army was made famous by the heroics of para commando Colonel (then Major) Ivan Joseph Crasto, who descended down from a chopper and spent the night with the stranded tourists to reassure them. Please read more about it on Google. For their actions, Crasto was given the Kirti Chakra, while Group Captain Fali Major (later, Chief of the Air Staff) received the Shaurya Chakra. 

****************

Credits : World Wide Web