Indians across the country are celebrating the successful launch of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), which finally reached International Space Station (ISS) after multiple delays. The mission features a multi-national crew, including Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who has etched his name in history by becoming the first Indian in 41 years to travel to space.
The Ax-4 mission was launched on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Group Captain Shukla is serving as the pilot of the mission, marking a proud moment for India’s space legacy and international collaboration in space exploration.
His trip comes 41 years after cosmonaut Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian to fly space in 1984. India's growing interest in space has not only advanced technologically but also found its way into cinema, with several films exploring the challenges and triumphs of space missions.
Movies based on space mission
Rocketry: The Nambi Effect
Directed and co-produced by R. Madhavan, Rocketry is a film based on the life of a former ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan, who was framed for being a spy and arrested in 1994. The film meticulously chronicles his pioneering work on cryogenic engine technology, an advancement he believed would enable India to compete in the global satellite market.
Madhavan portrayed Narayanan in the film, bringing to screen both the scientist’s professional contributions and the personal toll of the controversy, shedding light on a significant yet turbulent chapter in India’s space history.
Chand Par Chadayee
Released in 1967, 'Chaad Par Chadayee' (Trip to the Moon) is one of India's early Hindi-language science fiction films starring Dara Singh as astronaut Captain Anand. The movie follows Anand and his associate Bhagu on a mission to the moon, where, after landing, they encounter a series of warriors and monsters from another planet.
The film depicted futuristic technologies such as video calls, showcasing the creative imagination behind space travel and carving a niche for itself in Indian sci-fi cinema.
Apollo 13
Directed by Ron Howard, 'Apollo 13' is a gripping and meticulously made film based on the events on the Apollo 13 lunar mission. The film shows three astronauts Jim Lovell (Tom Hanks), Fred Haise (Bill Paxton) and Jack Swigert (Kevin Bacon) who fin everything going according to the plan after leaving Earth's orbit. However, when an oxygen tank explodes, the scheduled moon landing is called off.
Mission Mangal
Starring Akshay Kumar, Vidya Balan and Taapsee Pannu in the lead, Mission Mangal is based on the true story of the ISRO's Mars Orbiter Mission- Mangalyaan. Released in 2019, the film portrays the dedication and teamwork of a group of scientists, who overcome numerous technical and logistical challenges to launch India's first interplanetary mission.
Akshay Kumar played Rakesh Dhawan, a scientist leading the project, while Vidya Balan is seen in the role of Tara Shinde, who is the driving force of the team.
Spaceman
Directed by Johan Renck, this introspective sci-fi drama stars Adam Sandler and Carey Mulligan, with Paul Dano lending his voice to a pivotal character. The story follows Czech astronaut Jakub Prochazka (Sandler) on a solitary mission to study a mysterious cosmic cloud near Jupiter.
As Jakub drifts deeper into the cosmos, Hanus becomes both a guide and a mirror to his inner world offering philosophical reflections and forcing him to confront buried truths about his past, his marriage, and his purpose. More than a space odyssey, the film explores the emotional gravity of isolation, identity, and human connection amidst the vast silence of the universe.
Zero
Shah Rukh Khan's isn't wholly based on space mission, but a part of film showed him into space. A vertically challenged man chances upon an opportunity to travel all the way to Mars. This scene is shown in climax.