‘Mission Majnu’ trailer: Pakistanis can’t help but laugh at Sidharth Malhotra’s propaganda film

Many took to social media to dub the latest Netflix offering as a 'flop comedy'

Trailer for Sidharth Malhotra's latest, Mission Majnu, just dropped and it is giving Pakistanis quite a giggle. Contrary to its description of being a film "inspired by true events," the teaser is full of cultural appropriation, misrepresentation and a one-sided history lesson.

Even though people across the border are excited for its release this month, a bevy of Twitter users in Pakistan have dubbed the thriller-action film a "flop comedy" after watching its trailer.

A user expressed their amusement at the incorrect pronunciation of ‘adaab’, "The 'adaab' and the Urdu spoken in this is so funny!"

lmfaooo the "adaab" and the urdu loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool https://t.co/OpLVBYtSpG

— 🕷 Childish Ghambino 🍉 (@Sarkhail7Khan) January 10, 2023

Another took a jibe at the film's creators, claiming Bilal Lashari's latest blockbuster hit could have been a better option for Indian cinema distributors. "Could have been better if The Legend of Maula Jatt would have been released in India on the 20th rather than this flop comedy movie.”

Coud have been better if The Legend of Maula Jatt would have been released in India on the 20th rather than this flop comedy movie.

— Nosheen Bukhari (@NoshiJiga) January 10, 2023

As more Pakistanis chimed in on the ongoing criticism, one tweep also pointed out the discrepancies in the film's plot, “India had never been in a capacity to locate or neutralise any Pakistani nuclear plant but it's a good fantasy.”

😂Firstly India ain’t USA and secondly India had never been in a capacity to locate or neutralise any Pakistani nuclear plant but its a good fantasy. #MissionMajnuTrailer #MissionMajnu

— Adnan Rajput (@BeczItsRajput) January 9, 2023

Identifying more inaccurate narratives, one tweep shared how the film makes no sense, "Mission Majnu has got to be a comedy because not only did we make the nuclear asset, but we also tested and launched it too. NS has always had a cordial relationship with India. So, using your ‘best’ spy and still failing and then making a movie out of it. That's just hilarious!"

Mission Manu has GOT to be a comedy bcz not only did we make the nuclear asset, we also tested and launched it in the most endian fondly govt. NS has always had cordial rltn w India. So using ur "best" spy & failing despite that & making a movie out of it... that's just hilariaaa

— فریحہ ✪ (@fay_alif) January 10, 2023

Another quipped, "Spoiler: Pakistan still made a nuclear bomb. Mission Majnu failed.” While another listed down some facts for the onlookers. "Fact Check: Don't know much about Mission Majnu, however, Pakistan is the 7th Nuclear power in the World. Still, I will watch this Netflix comedy series."

Spoiler: Pakistan still made a nuclear bomb. Mission Majnu failed. pic.twitter.com/0I4XpiYe67

— Zee Yousafzai (@zmkud) January 10, 2023

Fact Check ✅ ⚠️

Don't know much about 'Mission Majnu', however Pakistan is the 7th Nuclear power of the World.

However I will definitely watch this Netflix comedy series. https://t.co/uF9eRSseN1 pic.twitter.com/QwzKctqKdz

— ENTEI (@ZEUS_PSF) January 10, 2023

Many also utilitised sarcasm to relay their sentiments; "Such an important story to tell. Without the success of Mission Majnu, Pakistan would be a nuclear armed state today," wrote a user, while another asked, "Bollywood cinema can't run without Pakistan, right?"

Such an important story to tell. Without the success of Mission Majnu, Pakistan would be a nuclear armed state today. https://t.co/mWsSE7ABdP

— Behram Qazi 🇵🇰 🇨🇦 (@DeafMango) January 10, 2023

Pakistan k bagher bollywood chal hi nai sakta naaw

— rumi⁷ (@thisismyshiteu0) January 10, 2023

A tweep even taunted, “A fight scene on top of a moving train is ‘inspired by true events?’ Dude, we don't have a functional railway system.” Another suggested, “The only way this could be interesting and closer to the truth is if there is a plot twist and Pakistan catches Siddharth on suspicion of being a spy because he uses adaab and janaab too frequently.”
 

Fight scene on top of a moving train is "Inspired by true events"?

Dude we don't have a functional railway system
😭😭😭😭 https://t.co/FF8XYHBu3t

— Liaqat (@Slh_Andrabi) January 10, 2023

The only way this could be interesting and closer to the truth will be if there is a plot twist and Pakistan catches Siddharth on suspicion of being a spy because he uses adaab and janaab too frequently.

— Ali (@Bhuut_) January 10, 2023

On the other hand, a bevy of Twitter users shared memes to laugh at the statement which described the film to be "inspired from real events."

“BASED ON TRUE EVENTS” pic.twitter.com/Yn2BYuxZYC

— anamta (@uufffyaaaar) January 10, 2023

indian movie and based on true event😭 pic.twitter.com/l6RYvoSekN

— ECCENTRIC (@AHAHA_HUMAN) January 10, 2023

"Based on true events" pic.twitter.com/sWGl8h17CF

— Laiba (@imlaiba27) January 10, 2023

“*based on miserably failed true events” pic.twitter.com/FoJOPHFicH

— alishba- (@A19_KM) January 10, 2023

“Based on true events” pic.twitter.com/egiCypM7B8

— Oshaz (@ThisIsOshaz) January 10, 2023

pic.twitter.com/CoVN2v3Z7l

— Isla (@deadreachuser) January 10, 2023

A tale as old as time

Mission Majnu aims to take you down the memory lane to 1998 when Pakistan and India were in a head-on competition to build nuclear weapons. However, without revealing much about India's side of history, the trailer goes on to show Pakistan conducting unauthorised nuclear activities.

Also, unlike most teasers, the first few seconds of the clip reveal the entire film's plot which surrounds the deadly mission of Malhotra, who essays the role of an Indian spy who aims to find the “illegally manufactured nuclear weapon” in Pakistan and quickly “neutralise” it.

Given the heavy responsibility on his shoulders, the spy then chooses to change his identity and adopt the persona of a Muslim man to attain his true objective. And of course, the trailer then follows his journey, which involves him learning to wear eye kohl, and say “Adaab”.

Carrying on the stereotypical narrative tropes, we are also introduced to a cross-starred love story between Malhotra and Rashmika Mandanna, who plays the role of a Pakistani woman. Although the trailer only shows a glimpse of their life together, viewers can still detect their relationship turning sour. All the bliss in their connection slowly fades away as Malhotra realises his true mission was not to find romance across the border but to stop Pakistan from becoming a nuclear power. By the end of the two-minute clip, the spy then decides to enter the facility on a suicide mission to do anything for his country, even give his life.

As if the patriotic connotations weren't transparent enough, the trailer closes with the popular phrase "Long live India" giving a nod to all spectators that ever doubted its propaganda storyline.

 

Other than Malhotra, the film also stars Bhumika Chawla, Sharib Hashmi, Parmeet Sethi and Kumud Mishra in pivotal roles.

The adventure-drama motion picture is set to screen on Netflix by January 19.

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