A spy thriller about India and Pakistan's animosity during the 1970s, starring Sidharth Malhotra is a perfect recipe for an intriguing drama. And Mission Majnu serves it, all right, garnished with high-octane action. The fictional story is based on actual events following the Indo-Pak 1971 war and the latter secretively creating nuclear weapons. A RAW field agent, Amandeep Singh (Sidharth Malhotra), lives and works in Pakistan as a tailor called Tariq, with a mission to expose the country's covert operation. He marries a blind girl, Nasreen (Rashmika Mandanna) and starts a family with her while being undercover.
The movie follows Amandeep's mission, as he's constantly subjected to insults as his father dies by suicide for being a traitor, a story that's only given a cursory mention.
Shantanu Bagchi helms Mission Majnu with aplomb and keeps it fast-paced throughout. The director also manages to keep one on the edge of the seat on many occasions when Amandeep's cover seems close to being blown. The milieu of 1970s Pakistan is also created appropriately.
How Tariq puts the pieces of the puzzle together, makes connections quickly and acts with alacrity is depicted skilfully. However, one cannot help but note how sketchy some of the film's aspects are. Tariq gathers information quite easily, and some of the clues and how easily he's rescued from dangerous situations make things seem too convenient.
Sidharth performs well as Tariq and Amandeep, especially in intense scenes. However, he is not entirely convincing in the comic parts. Rashmika Mandanna looks the part of Nasreen, and her acting is passable. Among the supporting cast, Kumud Mishra shines. Much to be written about his acting chops and track, but it would necessitate giving spoilers. Sharib Hashmi also gives a noteworthy performance as Amandeep's partner. Mission Majnu is about Amandeep's wit, ingenuity, and patriotism despite being mistreated, but there's ample action too, which Sidharth pulls off well.
Bijitesh De's cinematography is appropriate. Rita Ghosh's production design is reminiscent of the bygone era. Divvya Gambhir and Niddhi Gambhir's costumes are straight out of life. None of the characters are wearing glamorous clothes and yet, the protagonists especially look quite convincing. 88 Pictures' VFX is satisfactory. Nitin Baid and Siddharth S Pande's editing is perfect as the film is neither too fast nor too dragging.
On the whole, Mission Majnu is a gripping saga that works due to the tight script, intelligently written scenes, taut execution, and a memorable performance by Sidharth Malhotra and others in the cast.
