International megastar Akshay Kumar known for bringing to life the stories of real-life legends will now portray the role of mining engineer Sardar Jaswant Singh Gill in the untitled biopic produced by Pooja Entertainment.
The biopic will bring to screen the story behind India’s biggest rescue mission led by Sardar Jaswant Singh Gill, who saved 65 miners in a coal mining accident in 1989.
The coal mining accident happened on 13 November 1989 in Raniganj, a township in West Bengal, in the Eastern part of India. On the day, around 220 miners were working inside the mine, when a wall cracked and water flooded in. Six lives were lost and those near the lift were rescued.
However, 65 miners were stuck deep inside, with water levels rising rapidly and oxygen levels, depleting. Being on an uneven platform, it was seemingly impossible to reach them.
This is when Sardar Jaswant Singh Gill, posted as the additional Chief Mining Engineer at the site, took it upon himself to save the miners. Being an alumnus of Indian School of Mines, he devised six-foot high iron capsule, which was sent down by drilling a fresh borehole. To expedite the operation, a 12-tonne crane was put into service for lowering and raising the capsule
He, using the capsule, entered the mine and went on to rescue to 65 miners. Reports suggests that it took six hours for the rescue mission, which happened on the intervening night of 15-16 November, to conclude.
Gill’s act of bravery is celebrated as Rescue Day by Coal India Limited every year on 16 November.
Mr Gill, passed away on 26 November 2019. He was 80 years old and died after suffering a cardiac arrest.
To commemorate 16 November is marked as ‘Rescue Day’ in Gills’ honour, the Kathputli actor took to twitter to share an update on the role. While expressing his gratitude to the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Prahlad Joshi, he stated that it is an honour to portray Sardar Jaswant Singh Gill’s story on screen and the story is like no other.
Akshay Kumar’s filmography boasts of stellar biopics such as Mission Mangal, Kesari, Padman, Prithviraj and many others. He will also portray the role of the great Maratha rule Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the upcoming year.
