Mission Mangal, Rocketry, Apollo 13: Films that soar through space, aircrafts, and rockets

Films about space, aircraft, and rockets have long fascinated audiences in both Hollywood and Bollywood. While Hollywood has led the way, Bollywood is now exploring these themes with unique cultural perspectives. With private missions like Blue Origin’s all-female NS-31 crew, led by Lauren Sánchez and including Katy Perry and Gayle King, gaining attention, such real-life events could inspire powerful stories on screen. From Mission Mangal, Rocketry, to Apollo 13; here's taking a look at movies on space missions that are a must watch

Directed by Jagan Shakti and starring Akshay Kumar, Vidya Balan, Taapsee Pannu, and Sonakshi Sinha, Mission Mangal is a compelling drama based on the true story of the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan). Released in 2019, the film beautifully portrays the dedication and teamwork of a group of scientists, mostly women, as they overcome numerous technical and logistical challenges to successfully launch India's first interplanetary mission on a shoestring budget. Akshay Kumar plays Rakesh Dhawan, a determined scientist leading the project, while Vidya Balan portrays Tara Shinde, the project's driving force with innovative home science-inspired solutions. The film instilled a sense of national pride and made the complex world of space exploration accessible to a wider Indian audience.

Directed and produced by T.P. Sundaram, Chand Par Chadayee (Trip to the Moon) is a unique and one of India’s early Indian Hindi-language science fiction films starring Dara Singh as astronaut Captain Anand. The movie follows Anand and his associate Bhagu on their mission to the moon, where they encounter various warriors and monsters from another planet after landing. Interestingly, despite being made in 1967, years before the actual moon landing, the film depicted certain futuristic technologies like video calls, showcasing a creative imagination of space travel and extraterrestrial encounters in Indian cinema, making a mark for itself in the history of Indian Sci-fi Cinema.

Directed by R. Madhavan, who also stars in the lead role, Rocketry is a biographical drama based on the life of Nambi Narayanan, a former ISRO scientist who was falsely accused of espionage. The film meticulously chronicles Nambi's groundbreaking work in cryogenic engine development for India's space program and the devastating impact of the false allegations on his career and personal life. Madhavan's powerful portrayal captures the brilliance and the subsequent anguish of the scientist, shedding light on a significant yet controversial chapter in India's space history. The film served as a poignant reminder of the human cost behind scientific progress and resonated with audiences across India.

Directed by Ron Howard and starring Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, and Bill Paxton, Apollo 13 is a gripping and meticulously crafted dramatization of the near-fatal 1970 Apollo 13 lunar mission. The film portrays the intense efforts of the astronauts aboard the crippled spacecraft and the ground control team at NASA as they work against time and insurmountable odds to bring the crew safely back to Earth after an oxygen tank explosion. Tom Hanks delivers a compelling performance as astronaut Jim Lovell, capturing the resilience and determination of the team. The film's realistic portrayal of space travel challenges and human ingenuity made it a critically acclaimed and an enduring cinematic experience that showcased the dedication and problem-solving skills inherent in space exploration.

This Johan Renck film starring Adam Sandler, Carey Mulligan, as leads with the voice of Paul Dano, is a science fiction drama that follows Czech astronaut Jakub Procházka (Sandler) on a solitary mission to investigate a mysterious cloud near Jupiter. Six months into his mission, grappling with loneliness and a distant relationship with his pregnant wife Lenka (Mulligan) back on Earth, Jakub encounters a mysterious, ancient alien creature hiding in his spacecraft. This creature, named Hanuš (voiced by Dano), forms an unlikely bond with Jakub, offering philosophical insights and helping him confront his past and present struggles as he journeys further into the vastness of space. The film is an intellectual and moving science fiction that aims at highlighting other areas along with its space explorations.

Ridley Scott's The Martian, starring Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, and Chiwetel Ejiofor, presents a gripping tale of survival on Mars. The narrative flows with astronaut Mark Watney (Damon) who finds himself stranded and presumed dead after his crew departs during a mission to mars. The film showcases his reliance on his intelligence and scientific expertise to battle the harsh Martian environment while desperately trying to communicate his survival to Earth. The film skillfully balances tense moments with Watney's resourceful humor, showcasing his unwavering determination. Meanwhile, back on Earth, NASA and a global effort race against time to orchestrate a seemingly impossible rescue, making The Martian a compelling and inspiring cinematic journey about human resilience and the triumph of science.