India, Aug. 19 -- What could have been a powerful, inspiring story is diluted with platitudes, unnecessary subplots and a "feminism lite" attitude.

When Mangalyaan succeeded, I was proud. When I saw that photo featuring the triumphant women who helmed the mission, I was overjoyed. When I came to know that a movie was being made on India's Mars mission, I was excited. I imagined something not unlike Hidden Figures -a movie that highlighted the contribution of black women scientists to the American Space programme.

When I saw the poster and the trailers for Mission Mangal though, I felt that eagerness seep away. Should I bother watching what seemed from the trailers and posters to be an obvious 'male savior' movie?

But then I saw a Faceb...