Bollywood’s first space movie, Mission Mangal, will release on Independence Day (August 15) as announced, the makers confirmed on Thursday. Recent reports had claimed that the producers were considering advancing the release date to August 9 to avert a box-office clash with Prabhas-starrer Saaho and John Abraham’s Batla House, both arriving on August 15. 

Directed by Jagan Shakti, Mission Mangal stars Akshay Kumar, Vidya Balan, Sonakshi Sinha, Taapsee Pannu, Nithya Menen and Kirti Kulhari in the lead roles. The space drama celebrates the woman scientists behind the Indian Space Research Organisation’s successful Mars Orbiter Mission. 

Speaking about the film, Taapsee told us, “The visuals in Mission Mangal have never been seen on Indian screen. From the time of take-off to the point the shuttle reached the orbit, there was a lot going on. These scientists were constantly navigating it. This film shows you the human side of that mission.” 

The Independence Day weekend is considered a lucrative slot for Bollywood releases. Last year, Akshay Kumar’s Gold and John Abraham’s Satyameva Jayate also clashed on the same day.