Akshay Kumar recalls his conversation with Jaswant Singh Gill, the man who inspired Mission Raniganj: ‘Would like to tell the youth about such visionaries’

Akshay Kumar's Mission Raniganj is based on Jaswant Singh Gill, who led a rescue mission that saved 64 people trapped in a coal mine in West Bengal’s Raniganj.

Akshay Kumar speaks about playing the role of Jaswant Singh Gill in Mission Raniganj.

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Actor Akshay Kumar will next be seen in Mission Raniganj, where he plays the role of late coal mine engineer Jaswant Singh Gill. Remembering his meeting with Jaswant, Akshay described him as a “humble” and “simple” person.

During a virtual interaction with students of the Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, Akshay spoke about the importance of telling stories of unsung heroes. He said, “A few years ago, I had the opportunity to talk on a call with Jaswantji when he was alive. He was so humble, simple, and down to earth that it was genuinely an honour talking to him. There’s so much truth and sacrifice in the inspiring stories of such unsung heroes that I would like to keep making films like that and tell today’s youth about such great visionaries.” Jaswant Singh Gill graduated from IIT Dhanbad.

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Akshay Kumar is known for doing films with a social message. Akshay has starred in Padman, based on social activist Arunachalam Muruganantham. He also did the film Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, which dealt with the health hazard of open defecation.

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Talking about being part of ‘inspirational stories’, Akshay said, “Jaswant Gill’s real-life story is truly inspiring and encouraging. Similarly, Padman also showcased the inspiring journey of a visionary. They don’t make people like them anymore. As an actor, I really love working on such inspirational stories that need to be told.”

In 1989, Jaswant Singh Gill led a rescue mission that saved 64 people trapped in a coal mine in West Bengal’s Raniganj. Mission Raniganj also stars Parineeti Chopra in the lead role and is directed by Tinu Suresh Desai. The film will release in theatres on October 6.

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