'With their different ideologies.'.
'To reach their voters and to understand them'.
'Leaders of every political party,'
'are touring the country'.
'The prime minister of the country,
'and president of the congress party, Shri Jawaharlal Nehru',
'has completed the rapid tour of the entire country in seven weeks.'
'During this tour as the congress president,'
'he visited countless cities and towns,'.
'and campaigned for his party'.
'But as the duty of a prime minister,'.
'he requested millions of citizens'.
'to choose whichever party or representative they may like,'
'but definitely cast a vote for democracy'.
It's been three years since Bhabha became the chairman of the Indian AEC.
So far we've managed to keep him at bay, sir. He has nothing.
Really? You know that for a fact?
Because I know that little f****r...
...and I know he'll do whatever it takes.
So you got to stay one step ahead of him.
You understand me?
Is he talking to the Soviets?
Exactly!
We need more eyes on him.
We need men of equal power.
We're trying to kill a f*****g king with kitchen staff!
Tell Dey to get his man in power.
What are you suggesting, sir?
The Indian General Elections are coming up.
It's time to get the kitchen staff a promotion.
- Capeesh? - Yes, sir.
Go.
- Sir... - Good morning.
Sir.
Long live Congress.
Long live Congress!
- Long live Congress! - Sir...
...the department heads have called for another meeting.
I have told them that you are busy, but..
What's the matter, sir?
Nothing.
Jamshed sir called.
- He has asked you to call him back. - Okay.
Also your meeting with Mr. Baldwin has been cancelled.
Again? What happened?
Don't know, sir.
Tried calling him there but nobody's picking up the phone.
Okay.
What's going on here?
Don't know, sir.
Okay, thank you, Santosh. Just pop this in my office.
Good morning, sir.
It's great, our friend is contesting the elections.
He has the entire funding, why will he care?
But he's a professor.
How can he contest the elections?
Have they published the formula of the nuclear reactor?
Oh no...
Sir, you!
Remember when you worked for a living?
Yes, sir.
Sorry, sir.
Bhabha scattering.
The joke soon might be on us.
I don't speak Bengali, Mathur.
Please turn over.
Our dear friend...
...has won the Lok Sabha elections.
And you very well know, what Raza will do.
We're nowhere close to building...
...the nuclear reactor that we'd promised three years ago.
What do you think I'm doing?
That's exactly what I'm trying to figure out.
- You've become full of hot air. - Please shut up.
We're in a soup.
The House now calls Raza Mehdi from West Bankura.
Thank you, honorable speaker sir.
Panditji...
...this is my first day in the house.
And on the very first day...
...I'd like to raise an important issue.
As you all know, I'm a nuclear physicist by profession.
Thus I came across a project of the Indian government...
...which is wasting the hard earned money...
...of our laborers, farmers and tax payers.
I'm sure all of you must have heard the...
...radio announcement of Dr. Homi Bhabha...
...chairperson of the Indian Atomic Energy Commission.
He promised the world on behalf of the government...
...that within five years....
...India's first nuclear reactor will be ready.
Gone! That was said four years ago.
Where is it?
Where is the first nuclear reactor of India?
In my opinion, let alone making that nuclear reactor...
...the project hasn't even kick started as yet!
I ask the Indian government...
...how much money has been spent on it?
Does anyone know? Is there any accountability? No.
Panditji, you had promised...
...you'd light every village of India, every house..
...and every lane of India.
That was your election agenda...
...and you won. Congratulations!
But where is it?
Where is that illuminated India?
Where?
There's no electricity in West Bankura.
Do your constituencies have electricity?
No, they don't because the money...
...meant to be used for Indian citizens...
...schools, colleges...
...hospitals and roads...
...was used for a fake reactor.
It's being spent on a fake promise.
Where is the first nuclear reactor of India?
Where is the independent energy?
Why doesn't every house have electricity?
And I am not seeking these answers...
...but it's being asked by the democratic process of India.
And if you can't answer...
...stop this farce of calling India a democracy right away.
That's all I wanted to say.
- Bhai, about the reactor, I'm... - Homi...
...what did I promise the people of this country during the election rallies?
- I'm trying my best... - Tell me, Homi, what did I promise?
- Long term energy independence. - Through nuclear power.
I was sure we'd do it.
I had faith in you, Homi.
I have always been a man of my word...
- And now I'm being called a fraud. - Bhai...
No, you listen to me, Homi.
If this plan of yours doesn't work, then I will have...
...let down the 17 crore people of this country who have trusted me.
And I assure you that won't be good for you.
I give you six months.
Otherwise, you can tender in your resignation.
Down with ATIRA!
- Down with ATIRA! - What's the workers' problem?
They take you as their enemy.
This is absurd.
- That's not so. - But as brother Ambalal said...
...they don't understand ATIRA.
Speak to them. I'm sure they'll listen to you.
I've been trying since three days.
From morning to evening...
...Kamla and I are trying to convince them.
What about the union leader you spoke to?
Vikram, they think their jobs are in danger...
...and they'll be replaced by machines.
Someone needs to make these people understand that...
...these systems work worldwide.
ATIRA will increase jobs and profits.
Vikram Sarabhai...
...you'll find a way out.
Mrinalini!
Can we speak in private?
Ya, sure.
Excuse me for five minutes.
Are you alright?
The workers threatened to go on strike.
Wonder how long the mills will continue to run.
This is probably not the best time...
...but it's Darpana's first performance in Natya Mandir today.
It's wonderful.
I'm so proud of you.
Thank you. If you could come...
I really wish I could...
Amidst all of this...I can.
I understand.
What's the venue? Where's the performance?
Natya Mandir.
By the way many people are cancelling their tickets.
They don't approve of a daughter-in-law...
...of a reputed family dancing publicly.
But even if one seat is occupied...
...I will perform.
I guarantee one seat will be occupied.
I'll be there for you.
- What time is the show? - Vikram!
The union leader called.
The workers aren't coming to work.
I guess we should leave for the mills.
Down with ATIRA!
- Can you see? - Down with ATIRA!
- This is all your doing.
Down with ATIRA!
- Down with ATIRA! - Papa, it isn't our fault.
- It's for their good... - Down with ATIRA!
- I will talk to them. - Down with ATIRA!
Vikram!
Down with ATIRA!
Come.
Down with ATIRA!
Come with me.
Down with ATIRA!
Hey you, have you eaten?
When was the last time you ate?
Three days ago.
You wanted to better their lives?
Until ATIRA shuts down...
...they will continue with the hunger strike.
They will all go hungry...
...because of you.
The strike won't last long, Vikram.
Sooner or later, the workers will relent.
Guess, dad was right.
I acted in haste.
Vikram, the workers are scared.
Forget a five year plan, they care about...
...daily wages and monthly salaries only.
We need to explain to them the meaning of ATIRA.
Everyone including you tried but they won't relent.
You know when I first met you...
...on 14th August...
Of all the things, I remember only your enthusiasm.
I remember the man who wanted to reform...
...his country and countrymen...
...through his science and research.
I knew you were being ambitious...
...but I saw a man who was ready.
Ready to take on any challenge.
Vikram, follow your heart.
People will follow.
Tanvi, how many people are there?
Around 50.
Just a minute.
Everyone is ready?
Girls, do well!
Ma'am, I don't think more people will come.
We shouldn't wait.
I think we have to start.
- Ambalal is here. - Greetings.
Namaste.
Come, sit here.
Let's start.
Atulya told me you're going to America.
It's just a short trip.
If things go well...
Or?
Or pack another suit for Cambridge.
Why just one suit? Let's just pack them all.
So you can just move there permanently.
You'd love that, won't you?
- I would! - Yeah, you colonial loyalist!
Ma'am, a lady's here for you.
Tell her I'll be there.
Okay, ma'am.
Oh gosh.
Pipsy?
Homi.
How are you, my darling?
- I'm.. - Haven't seen you in ages.
I thought you were in Delhi. I assumed you won't be home.
This is my house.
No, darling, this is my house.
You came to see my mother? Why so? Come.
- Homi, one second... - Group experiment, mother.
- I really can't... - Why don't we just sit down?
Aunty, I really must leave. You'll come, won't you?
Of course, I will.
- I wouldn't miss it. - Come for what?
Homi, why don't you do one thing.
Why don't you'll sit together for a little bit?
I'll just... I need to give you something.
Okay? Before you leave.
What am I not invited to? Come for what?
Homi, I'm getting engaged next Saturday.
Sir. Thank you.
Ma'am.
- I'll see you again. - Pleasure to meet you.
- Excuse me. - Incredible performances. Isn't it?
I cannot believe...
...that the man who flunked particle physics what was it twice?
- Twice. - Is now heading the atomic research...
...for the British AEC. Congratulations, Bennet!
And this for a man who spent more time...
...on drama club than he did on his own thesis!
I think it had to do more with the drama teacher...
- ...Miss... - Miss Levinson.
Funny! I was just thinking about my thesis. Just a...
...few days ago and how naive I was.
Today I want to make a nuclear reactor and...
- ...it's impossible... - Not the science of course.
But the political back lash, the red tape, it's a swamp.
You'll figure it out, Homi.
I know how it is.
Exactly! Which is why I'm here.
Let's not talk about work, Homi.
Let's get back to Miss Levinson.
Would that if I could...
...except she's married now.
She has four children and she goes by Mrs. Smith Rowe.
- Really? - She does!
No but seriously, gents...
...is there any way to circumvent the red tape? I need your help.
It's impossible, Homi.
I mean, with the US AEC breathing down our necks...
I heard that you are splashing about with a swimming pool reactor.
I'm not sure what you're talking about.
- It's amazing. Fantastic. - I don't know. No.
Let me jog your memory.
The water acts as a neutron moderator.
Radiation shield and cooling agent?
The primary cooling apparatus remains at regular...
...pressure allowing easy access to energy, I mean...
Ringing any bells?
We're using a reactor for training purposes for future operations.
As well as industrial...
...medicinal and agricultural research...
...and nuclear physics.
Surely you want to help India out with these things.
If India were to make a swimming pool reactor...
...one that could not lead to the bomb...
...surely the British government...
...would not have any objections, would they?
Why would they?
After all, it's France that came up with the underwater reactor.
- Oh yes, that's true. Isn't it? - Yes.
There is a treaty between France and India.
- Of course! - Of course!
And according to the treaty...
...France has agreed to help India out...
...provided that we assure you that the reactor will be used...
...for peaceful purposes only. Which it will.
Alright.
But... We cannot promise.
- But... - But yes...
The French committee could make this possible.
Thank you. Thank you.
The British will help you...
...but only if rules are strictly followed...
- ...to a fault. - Malicious compliance.
I'm a stickler for the rules.
Just ask Miss Levinson.
Let's go.
Yes. Let's go.
Of course.
After you.
Brothers, thank you.
I'm grateful all of you came here to hear us out peacefully.
I have just one thing to say today.
We heard your demands...
...and we approve of them.
Now my son Vikram...
...will speak to all of you.
No... No... No...
I request all of you...
...give my son a chance to apologize.
Vikram.
Like dad just said...
...I'm here to seek your apology.
I apologize for giving up easily.
ATIRA is not your enemy.
Your enemy is your resistance to advancement.
This ideology will lead to closure of our mills in the next decade.
I apologize for that.
Production rate is 5% higher abroad.
That cloth will be sold for half the rates.
Soon, importing cloth will be profitable.
Nobody told you that...
...hence I apologize.
He studied abroad...
...and is now preaching us our work.
Certainly not, I'm not doing that.
All I'm saying is...
...mills abroad have increased production...
...using newer technology.
Why can't we use them too?
Machines will reduce wastage and increase efficiency.
There will be optimum use of raw material.
It's all of you who will benefit in the end.
Bookish knowledge.
Only the owners stand to profit.
We earn wages on hourly basis.
- I hope you know that, sir. - I do.
I also know these are the union leaders' demands, not yours.
I trust the efficacy of ATIRA so much...
...that we'll pay you daily wages instead of hourly wages.
As for the bonus, due to financial constraints...
...your bonus was reduced to 30%...
...I promise you today...
...it'll be raised to 90% again.
And friends...
...ATIRA will help us save enough...
...to provide free food for 2000 homes annually.
He is lying.
Don't trust him.
- Sir, why don't you say anything? - Stop.
Continue, Vikram.
He's right.
Your children are hungry.
And that hurts me the most...
...because you and I are not different.
We're one.
So I ask you for a chance.
Just one chance...
...to get you what you rightfully deserve.
Something you've been deprived of.
Good education for these kids...
...proper homes...
...clean water, access to medicine and most importantly...
...the right to live with dignity.
This is the true purpose of ATIRA...
...and mine too.
Will all of you stand by me in my resolution?
Will you give this reformation a chance?
Yes, we will!
Will you help me usher in a new beginning for the younger generation?
Yes, we will!
Friends, I'm ready.
Now I seek your support not apology.
Let's make our mills in Ahmedabad the most successful ones.
So tell me, will you give me a chance?
Yes!
Do you trust this brother of yours?
Yes!
Long live Vikram!