Mission Manju Movie review

Available on: Netflix

Runtime: 129 Minutes

Direction, Music review:

Shantanu Bagchi makes his directorial debut with this film, with prior experience having directed an advertisement for Nycil Cool Shower (per IMDb). There's a hint of his bathroom-themed background in the inclusion of a Western toilet in the film. Despite the film's limitations, it's a decent first effort and there is potential for improvement with the right team.

The music falls short of expectations, with predictable contributions from Jubin Nautiyal, including a love ballad and a patriotic song about the soil of the country. The background score by Ketan Sodha fails to add any excitement to the poorly executed action scenes.

Movie review:

MISSION MAJNU tells the tale of an Indian intelligence agent who is operating in Pakistan. Following India's successful nuclear tests in 1974, the Prime Minister of Pakistan seeks to acquire a nuclear weapon through the work of a scientist based in the Netherlands. India's RAW agency learns of the scheme and instructs its secret agent, Tariq, to uncover the details of the weapon's development. Working as a tailor, Tariq infiltrates the Pakistani army to gather information and falls in love with a blind woman named Nasreen. However, Tariq's mission is complicated by his father's past as a traitor who sold defense secrets to Pakistan and by his own feelings for Nasreen. The film's script by Parveez Shaikh, Aseem Arora, and Sumit Batheja is a gripping and patriotic tale that stands apart from similar films in the genre. The dialogue is natural and several lines are noteworthy, adding to the excitement of the story.

Director Shantanu Bagchi showcases exceptional talent in his debut film, keeping audiences enthralled with intense and dramatic scenes. Despite limited action, the film is filled with tension and thrills as Tariq sets out on a mission to uncover the truth about an atomic bomb. The humor is well-placed and adds to the overall experience. However, the portrayal of Israel's involvement could have been better explained, leaving some viewers confused. Sidharth Malhotra shines in his role as the action hero, but the lack of action may leave some unsatisfied. Some of the plot twists may be difficult for viewers to accept.

"MISSION MAJNU" starts strong with a well-established context, and the romance between Tariq and Zulfiqar is sweet. The film really takes off once Tariq begins his mission, with memorable scenes including his clever extraction of information and his daring journey to Kahuta. The train sequence is particularly exciting and the finale is both tense and emotional.

Sidharth Malhotra delivers yet another standout performance, with convincing scenes where he fools the Pakistanis with his convincing facade. Rashmika Mandanna shines in her limited screen time, and Sharib Hashmi, Kumud Mishra, Zakir Hussain, Avantika Akerkar, Avijit Dutt, Shishir Sharma, Mir Sarwar, Rajit Kapur, Parmeet Sethi, Manoj Bakshi, Salim Fatehi, and Ashwath Bhatt all give strong supporting performances. Ananth Narayan Mahadevan's role, however, is underutilized.

The soundtrack is underwhelming, with only "Rabba Janda" standing out due to its situational placement. "Maati Ko Maa" has good intentions, but fails to leave a lasting impact. The background score by Ketan Sodha is effectively understated.

Bijitesh De's cinematography fits the bill perfectly, while Rita Ghosh's production design transports the viewer back in time. The costumes designed by Divvya Gambhir and Niddhi Gambhir accurately depict everyday life and add authenticity to the film. The special effects provided by 88 Pictures are adequate, while Nitin Baid and Siddharth S Pande's editing balances the pace of the film, ensuring that it is neither too rushed nor too slow.

The film avoids overt displays of nationalism, remaining faithful to its depiction of a secret mission gone awry. The script is full of thought-provoking lines and is worth close attention. The narrator characterizes spies as "soldiers from a foreign soil."

Overall, MISSION MAJNU captivates with its compelling script, thoughtfully crafted scenes, skilled direction, and powerful performances by the talented cast, led by Sidharth Malhotra.