India's first space mission film, Mission Mangal, hit theatres just as ISRO turned 50. The film is based on ISRO scientists' contribution to the Mars Orbiter Mission. The movie featuring an ensemble cast including Akshay Kumar, Vidya Balan, Taapsee Pannu, Sonakshi Sinha, Sharman Joshi, Kirti Kulhari, Nithya Menen and others has passed the first-day test with flying colours. 

Mission Mangal has become Akshay Kumar's biggest opener till day; the film has raked in Rs 29.16 crore on day one at the box office. The film has even surpassed the opening collection of Akshay's last Independence Day release, Gold. Mission Mangal has also become the biggest Independence Day opener in the last three years and the 3rd highest opener ever on this day after Singham Returns (32 crore) and Ek Tha Tiger (31 crore). Released in over 3,000 screens, it is the widest release in the last three years on August 15.