In a sharp departure ( and to pre-empt any unpleasant sparring with the media) from the traditional custom of having a professional compere-anchor, the trailer-promo launch of the much-awaited ‘Mission Mangal’ movie had its ‘scientist-hero’ Akshay Kumar volunteering to act as the courteous dynamic event-emcee. It’s a known fact that ‘Akki’(Akshay ) is a witty orator. So it came as no surprise when he kept pulling vivacious co-star Taapsee Pannu’s legs with his jestful jibes, especially as she had sported a dazzling jewellery choker necklace. Declared Akshay, “Our entertaining and inspiring multi-starrer movie ‘Mission Mangal’ directed by Jagan Shakti which is the first of its kind space-science reality thriller will be an eye-opener and a proud revelation for every Indian. That’s because, besides the entertainment quotient, the film ( backed by Fox Star Studios) depicts how the Indian ISRO with a limited budget ( Rs 450 crores) is one-up on the US-based NASA which had a mega-budget ( over Rs 6000/- crores), successfully completed the ‘Mangal-yaan’ that too in the first attempt,” enthused Akshay who is known for acting in Bollywood entertainer movies which also propagate a strong social or patriotic message. The film has a bevy of star-heroines including Vidya Balan, Sonakshi Sinha, Tapsee Pannu, Kirti Kulhari ,and Southside regional star Nithya Menen playing various pivotal roles supporting the ‘Mars Mission’ showcasing ‘woman empowerment’. “Although there is basic creative liberty in terms of fictional treatment of the back-stories and the characterization, it’s a fact that original Indian Mars Mission had a dedicated team of female scientists who formed the back-bone of the mission,”disclosed Nithya.and Kirti Kulhari. “Although we were five actresses put together, there was no insecurity, no tantrums and professional camaraderie all thru this movie shooting,” enthused Vidya and Kirthi . Interestingly, Akshay ( who said he would arrange for the delicious daily meals in tiffins for the entire female ‘Mangal’cast) had no hang-ups in sharing that this ‘unique movie belonged mainly to these ladies in the cast’