(Image source from: Bollyworm)

Bollywood actress Vidya Balan on Thursday at the trailer launch of the much-awaited Mission Mangal said real-life stories like the successful launch of Mars Orbiter Mission by Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) should be celebrated by the society and cinema.

Vidya Balan, who plays Tara Shinde, the program director of the mission, said that a film as Mission Mangal is an attempt to salute something India should be proud of.

"I felt this story needed to be told. We Indians do not wear our pride on our sleeves for our country and I am glad that more films are being made that make us aware of what a great nation we are. When I roam around the world, I see people are so proud of their nation or heritage. If there is anyone who needs to be proud, it is us. Our culture, our history, and our achievements are great and we should start celebrating them. I am glad our movies are doing that and Mission Mangal is doing that," she said.

Apart from Vidya Balan, the actors present alongside the cast of the film including Akshay Kumar, Taapsee Pannu, Kirti Kulhari, Sonakshi Sinha, Sharman Joshi, Nithya Menen, and director Jagan Shakti.

                        (Image source from: Darpan Magazine)

Talking about her experience of working with a mainly female cast, Vidya said, "I can say this with utmost honesty that we all are extremely secure actors because we were appreciating others. We had so much fun while working on it that Jagan Shakti (director) had a tough time giving us directions."

Sonakshi said the film celebrates the spirit of teamwork, something true behind the scenes as well. "We all are happy and proud to be part of this film," she said.

Taapsee said they had tried to recreate the photo of the saree-clad women scientists celebrating the launch in the film as well. "We have tried our best to show the achievements of these women in a two-and-half-hour film," she said.

Nithya, who is making her Bollywood first appearance with Mission Mangal, said she was glad to have chosen this project as her first Hindi film. "I wanted to debut in a good film and I have always followed that in the South. We all worked as a team in the film. We used to eat together and Akshay would insist we eat together and he would get food for us. I felt welcomed and accepted here. I did not feel like this is my first film in Hindi."

The film is all set to hit the silver screen on August 15.

By Sowmya Sangam