A week after S S Rajamouli’s RRR comes the story of three boys Raghupathi, Raghava and Rajaram (Harsh Roshan, Bhanu Prakash and Jayateertha Molugu) who call themselves ‘RRR’. Mishan Impossible releasing in theatres on the heels of the NTR-Ram Charan film and its protagonists basking in a similar moniker is incidental. At the heart of it is a story that combines the innocence of these small-town boys and something that lies in darker territory.
After Agent Sai Srinivasa Athreya, Swaroop RSJ takes the crime comedy route once again but skillfully steers into a new space. In 2014, three boys from Patna leaving home in the hope of nabbing Dawood Ibrahim and winning a handsome reward from the government of India made headlines. Inspired by this true event, Swaroop fashions a fictional tale and reimagines it in the context of boys hailing from Vadamalapeta near Tirupathi.
Parallel to the journey of this trio is the story of an investigative journalist and activist Shailaja (Taapsee Pannu) and Vikram (Ravindra Vijay) who are on a mission to bust a child trafficking racket.
Mishan Impossible
Cast: Taapsee Pannu, Harsh Roshan, Bhanu Prakash, Jayateertha Molugu
Direction: Swaroop RSJ
Music: Mark K Robin
Much of the first hour is centred on the three boys Raghupathi is a die-hard film buff who idolises Ram Gopal Varma, Raghava wants to win big in Meelo Evaru Kooteswarudu (Kaun Banega Crorepati). Never mind if he delivers wrong answers with unshakeable confidence. The spelling ‘Mishan’ is also his doing. You can either question if no one in the village will call out his bluff or go with the endearing narrative and laugh it off. And Rajaram wants to be a fast bowler like Malinga but all his batsmen end up hitting him for a six.
The world of these three ‘R’s brims with innocence and humour similar to Cinema Bandi and Supermen of Malegaon. The witty lines keep coming one after the other and most of the gags seem believable in the context of the characters.
To cite just an example, while other students recall the names of scientists in class, Raghupathi can only think of Vaseegaran (Rajinikanth as a scientist in Endhiran). The film-centered humour is Mishan’s highlight. The segment where the boys plan their mission taking cues from storylines of Trivikram Srinivas, Sukumar, Rajamouli and Puri Jagannadh is hilarious.
Swaroop also tips his hat to indigenous jugad in the way the villagers record a cricket match and play back the footage for umpiring.
The real test of the story begins when these boys set out to nab Dawood Ibrahim. Swaroop uses the small characteristics that define the boys to a good advantage when they are thrown into the deep end. When they cross paths with Taapsee and embark on a dangerous mission, several questions arise. There are a few glaring loopholes and the timeline of the hunt for Dawood is anachronistic but a few other smarter touches, like how the Rubik’s cube and other toys of the kids are used through the mission, keep us invested.
Both Taapsee and Ravindra Vijay graciously play supporting parts and let the boys take centre stage. The film belongs to them while several others including Rishab Shetty, Suhas, Sandeep Raj and Harsha Chemmudu appear in cameos. The actors who play the parents of the boys are also adequate.
Mark Robin’s playful background score and Deepak’s camera stay true to the milieu. The narrative also easily blends in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Hindi as warranted through the boys’ journey.
The film is far from perfect but can leave you with a big smile.
