The lunatic brown kid is blowing up the courtyard again!
6... 5... 4... 3... 2... 1...
I hastened to come back, Papa.
I should have stayed back.
I thought I would complete my research,
and fulfil my dream of making a rocket.
Your ticket to Bangalore has been booked.
Don't touch those!!
There is scarcity of rubber, because of Japan!
Now what do we do, Raman?!
Why don't you try using another material?
Polyethylene sheets have more tensile strength than rubber.
What was your major, again?
Natural science, sir...
But I have a particular interest in physics.
Vikram Sarabhai, you are a brilliant scientist.
What you can do for you country,
only one in a million can do.
So you're the famous Homi Bhabha?!
And you are....?
Pipsy!
Pipsy!?
With you the time just flies, Pipsy!
You are a very graceful dancer!
Thank you!
You uh.. What's your name?
Mrinalini.
Mrinalini...
I've always had this dream to send a rocket into space.
I want to teach Bharatnatyam...
We don't manufacture anything in India!!
From a cycle to a sewing machine...
Everything is from a foreign country!
We need, electrification!
and to be self-reliant!
Your child will be born in a free India...
Into a brave, new India!
Vikram, I'd like you to meet my friend, Kamala Chaudhary.
I am opening a textile research institute in Ahmedabad...
We could use your expertise in this!
I cannot do this anymore, I don't know why you don't understand!
I truly think now is the perfect time to start the academy!
I am not denying you anything...
Just asking you to wait for a while.
I know, your work is your first priority.
- I always knew and I understand... - That's true...
But how does it matter?
I love you and you love me.
Yeah, but what's next?
Do we have a future?
Today is a historical day!
The reactor made in India will be named... Apsara!
Sir, an applicant has come for an interview.
A.P.J. Abdul Kalam!
Welcome to India's first space programme.
Thank you, sir.
India's space programme, sir.
The time has come to fall into step with the world.
Now, the sky cannot be our limit!
News has come in
That the Chinese army has invaded Indian borders.
If we want to defeat China,
then all we have to do now, is to sign this proposal.
It's the proposal to make India's first atom bomb.
But for that, I need all of you.
Do you know what they call a solider who deserts their battalion?
Traitor!
I'd rather be a traitor, Homi.
But along with you, I will not let my country be ruined.
After India's humiliating defeat,
Jawaharlal Nehru had to face a no confidence motion in the parliament.
Go make your bomb.
Only the dead have seen the end of war, Homi.
One... Two... Three.. HEAVE!!
We're ready for the launch!
We should make the bomb.
Bhabha's building a bomb.
Take him out.
Tell our man in India we are going to execute the plan.
I did not expect you here, Mr. Mathur.
Hello, Mr. Dey.
You?
Your life is in danger.
There is no need to be worried.
Everyone will think that
It was an accident.
I was told you have information for me.
I have something for you.
Something of great value.
But you got to promise to let me go.
You've been charged with murder, treason,
seditious conspiracy
and an attempt to overthrow the US government so
unless you have the Soviet nuclear codes,
there's nothing that I or anyone else can do for you.
I... I know about India
about their nuclear plans.
What do you know about India?
They're getting ready any day
to test...
It's... Ready...
Ready...
What's ready?
- Sir! - Jai Hindi, sir.
Ramanna sir, telex from the PMO.
Gentlemen, we have been eagerly waiting
for this moment.
This is a green signal from the prime minister.
What we do here in the next 8 hours
will define India's future for generations.
We won't get this opportunity again.
So, it is not just a responsibility
but it's also our duty to get it right.
In 8 hours, we detonate India's first atomic bomb.
On the historic occasion of the 14th Republic day of free India,
millions of people gathered in Delhi to witness the military parade.
Despite his failing health,
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru attended the ceremony.
While on the other hand
Dr Vikram Sarabhai and his INCOSPAR team
at exactly 6:30 PM, India's first payload rocket will take off
from Thumba equatorial rocket launching station.
Kids, these are box kites.
Make sure you don't cut them off.
Beware of Kalam uncle, he loves to cut kite strings off!
Should I cut it, sir?
Should I?
- I mean your hair. - Not my hair, sir.
- Dan, bring it down please. - Yes, sir.
Now... What's the experiment?
We've mounted thermometers on the box kites.
That will tell us how the temperature changes with increasing altitude.
Any guesses?
You tell me.
Sir, it's easy. The temperature will rise.
- Why? - Because we're heading towards the sun.
Ignore him, sir. He's all talks.
The temperature will remain constant.
Why so?
Because there's a layer around the earth
which protects us.
- It's called... - Atmosphere.
Yes, sir, atmosphere.
That will keep the temperature constant.
Okay... Let's see who got it right.
Dan.
What was the ground level temperature?
32° Celsius
Dan, what was the temperature at 50 ft?
30.5
Sir, that's less.
Why did that happen, sir?
As the altitude increases,
atmospheric pressure decreases.
That lowers the temperature.
Now that's for you to prove.
Those 5 kites will fly to 5 different heights.
Let's check the difference.
- Are you ready for the experiment? - Yes.
- Ready to become a scientist? - Yes.
- Dan, let them have fun. - Sure.
- Let's go, Kalam. - Yes, sir.
So, who wants to start first?
Sir!
Relax.
Shakata... Shankha... Chakra...Pasha
Kilaka... Matsya...
Kurma... Varaha... Garuda
Naagabandha...
Your hands should always be like this.
Naagabandha...
Khatvaa...
Bherunda...
- Practicing? - Yes.
Let me finish quickly so we can go for papa's launch.
Mrinalini, it's time for the flight.
But I can't seem to find him.
Have you seen him?
Did you check the out house?
Dad, mom is looking for you. You'll be late for the flight.
Yes, I'm almost done.
Ready to leave.
Did Vikram fly kites?
Fly kites?
He'd cut off the strings.
He'd get a new kite every week
and lose it in the skies within minutes!
Back then, you'd find Vikram's kites
in almost all homes in the vicinity.
I'd ask him
if it bothers him that others fly his kites.
He'd say, dad, earlier only
I'd fly kites with my brother.
But now the whole neighbourhood is flying kites!
The skies are filled with kites.
Such a Vikram thing to say.
It's a big day for Vikram.
He's sending a rocket into space
while you're scared of taking a flight!
C'mon!
Let's go.
Why don't you come along?
I'm sure he'll be glad
if you come.
He can't have it all, dad.
Shall we?
Besides Homi must've reached already.
Roll camera, action.
Good morning, America.
On this wonderful occasion
of India's 14th Republic Day,
I, Homi Jehangir Bhabha,
bring to you an exciting project update.
The Canada India Reactor Utility Services
or as we fondly call it CIRUS.
It's the second nuclear reactor built in India.
And with your continued co-operation,
we want to ensure that it's not the last.
International co-operation
is the bed rock of scientific progress.
Everything you see around us is proof of exactly that.
Now, you may be wondering why I'm giving you this fantastic tour.
My team and I
would like to thank our friends in USAEC for their constant
and unwavering support.
While the reactor itself was provided for by Canada,
the heavy water used as a moderator was given to us
by you, our American counterparts.
Follow me.
Hello, it's me again, your humble tour guide -
Dr. Bhabha.
As you can see, our reactor is housed
in a state of the art facility!
And as is our deal.
We are delighted to share our findings
and our plutonium yield with you,
our generous counterparts.
India gets electrified
and the US gets its fair share of plutonium.
Now, let's get back to work
and explore its potential.
For peaceful purposes only.
- Good morning. - Good morning.
Homi,
newspapers carry ads for treating veneral diseases
and apparels too. For the first time,
I'm seeing an ad for a nuclear reactor!
Just my audition for Hollywood, Raza.
An Indian villain will be apt
in a James Bond film!
I just want the Americans to not come snooping around.
Okay? So that we can get on with our business.
You think they'll stop watching our moves
given your home videos?
Maybe.
But... You're not that charming, Homi.
Raza!
Homi!
Raza!
Homi!
- Sir! - Ramanna, it's you! Here?
Sir, you told me to come in 5 minutes later.
What's that in your hand, Ramanna?
Sir, a phoenix reactor.
We've been working on it for the last 6 months.
Excuse me, sir.
Sir, please mind your leg.
Move, Mathur, lest it breaks.
Thank you, Ramanna.
The model of the phoenix reactor, sir.
I can see that.
This is the first breeder reactor
completely made in India.
This will help us make plutonium
- without American interference. - Yes, sir.
And with that plutonium, we...
We'll make our first atom bomb.
Bravo!
When did you devise this plan of a new nuclear reactor?
Raza, now you know. As per the USAEC deal,
we can't use plutonium from CIRUS
but we can always learn from CIRUS
and make our own reactor!
Then we can use the yield as we wish.
Americans be damned!
- Americans be damned? - Yes.
Heard that, Mathur? Americans be damned!
Well, I...
I just wish we were involved at an earlier stage.
Because even on a cursory glance,
it's quite clear that this has been rushed through
without much thought.
For starters, you'll need two things to make bomb grade plutonium.
Enriched uranium and heavy water.
- C'mon, Mathur. - I'm just stating the facts.
And we don't have either of those things.
I have a plan.
Homi, it's obvious that you have a plan.
And it'll surely be a success.
But how do you think Americans will react
upon learning about this nuclear reactor?
Don't you think we are inviting trouble?
Inviting trouble?
We're surrounded by trouble.
Our neighbours want a piece of our land.
Our allies want a share of our profits.
And our enemies...
They... They want us dead.
Let's not give them the opportunity.
This stays between us.
Homi sir, it's me, Meher.
Yes?
Mr. Sahu is here.
Vikram Sarabhai.
- Mahesh. Mahesh Sahu, sir. - Pleasure to meet you.
Mr. Sarabhai, I'm a big fan of your work.
Thank you.
But, sir, let me assure you
I won't let your greatness affect my work.
I would expect nothing less.
I've heard you want to a tour of our facility
and understand our budgets.
Sir, I've got a fair understanding of the budget already.
- Okay. - I have a few questions now...
that I seek answers to.
Of course.
Let's begin the tour. Then I'll take your questions.
Okay. Lets go.
Take them along?
No, sir. I don't think we need an audience for this.
It's better if things stay between us.
You've become all serious, Mahesh.
Please don't scare me. Officers scare me.
Come. Let's go.
Stop, stop, stop.
We always use adavus
to portray beauty.
But here, we will use it to show violence.
In the rhythmic beats, I want to hear
anger and hatred. That's what I want to hear.
I'll demonstrate.
Okay?
Mrinalini, a reporter from the local newspaper wants to see you
with regards to Darpan.
You should've informed in advance. We're rehearsing now.
Mrinalini, please. Right.
Hello, I'm from Dainik Samachar.
Hello.
What would you like to know?
First of, congratulations, your husband is launching another rocket.
How come you're not with him on this big day?
That's because I am here for Darpan.
You can ask me anything about it.
Okay then... Let's start from the start.
How did Darpan start?
It started from Madras, where I met my first guru.
Back then dance was just a hobby for me.
When did it become a passion?
When I met Gurudev in Shantiniketan.
That's where I learnt life lessons along with Manipuri and Kathakali.
That's how you became the first Kathakali performer of India right?
Come.
I spoke to your staff while I waiting for you.
Strangely they too didn't expect you to be here today.
Would you like to share your thoughts about the launch today?
I'm sure the launch will be a success
but raising my voice against dowry system and women harassment
matters to me deeply.
Vikram supports me in this.
But we needn't always be seen together
to get society's validation.
I understand, you'd like to be with him on this important day
but you couldn't for some reason.
But I guess you'll welcome him back
with a special performance by Darpan.
Do tell me if that's true.
I would like to be a part of it too
I'm not surprised that you think that the entire point of my vocation
my lifelong passion is to dance in my husband's honour!
Actually, if you really find Bharatnatyam interesting,
I'll give you a demonstration.
Janaki, start from the new position.
A girl nurtures many dreams
in her life
but her freedom is dictated
by the society.
Once she gets married,
her dreams are auctioned off.
Her worth depends
upon the valuation of land
and gold.
Even in illustrious families,
a girl is known by her husband's achievements and honour
not by her dreams and aspirations
simply because she's a woman!
If you care to make your puff piece meaningful,
do add this.
To protest against the dowry system,
Darpan shall tour the whole country.
You're doing an amazing job.
But do you think gurus of Bharatnatyam will approve of this modification?
Every new attempt is faced with opposition.
Vikram's rocket was opposed too!
With your permission,
I'd like to get back to preparing for the tour.
Yes.
It's all about collaboration and team work.
You saw the great work being done in our rocket propellant plant.
Soon, we'll master the solid propellant technology.
Sir, how are you managing the launches without propellants?
We import propellants.
Okay.
Sir, we just saw the rocket fabrication facility.
- Yes. - Is that fabrication machinery...
also imported?
Yes.
That means, you are spending mostly on imports.
Mr. Sahu, DAE allots the INCOSPAR budget.
Then this line of questioning and interrogation...
You're right about that, sir, but
DAE also falls under the government of India.
Indeed.
Sir, all projects have to be reassessed as per government orders.
- Okay. - Budgets will be allocated...
only for important projects.
Do you like tea?
Yes, sir.
Let's have some tea.
Okay.
Have this tea from the lab.
Our engineers make great tea.
So, the audits were Panditji's idea.
I'm sure you're aware of Panditji's ill health.
So, Panditji isn't burdened
with routine tasks.
So, Morarji bhai wants to slay our budget.
Sir...
You can tell me openly.
Let's start.
Sir, the rockets that you are launching...
How far up do they go?
It varies but somewhere between 45 to 150 kms.
45... to 150 kms
And how does that help?
- Meaning? - I mean, what'ss the benefit
of scaling those heights?
What do you achieve?
There are many benefits
but the most basic would be the study of upper atmosphere.
Up there, our payload
releases sodium vapour cloud.
We take pictures of that
to draw various conclusions.
- You take pictures? - Yes.
How much do these pictures cost?
I thought you said there's nothing to discuss about the budget.
That you've understood that already.
Mr. Sarabhai,
I respect you greatly.
And I truly believe you have noble intentions.
Your team works really hard.
Thank you.
But sir, we lost the war in 1962.
Pakistan's army is now at our borders.
So you tell me, sir,
what should the defense budget focus on?
Protecting the country or launching rockets?
Homi is making a new reactor.
He just informed Raza and me about it.
He has been planning it for 6 months now, with Raja Ramanna.
6 months?!
We need proof, Mathur.
What is Homi planning to do, when and how?
Do you have any proof about
this new reactor?
Some blueprint or project plan?
Not yet.
Homi has become secretive.
Security has been beefed up.
Mr. Dey, I need more time to get information.
We better postpone the plan.
We can't do this, Mathur.
Today's Republic Day.
Half day.
People will have sweets and go home.
Then Trombay will be vacant.
You won't get a better opportunity.
The plan is solid.
We need to act now.
Yes, okay.
Mr. Mishra, I didn't expect this from you.
What?
I mean, you didn't tell me the government is paying for over time.
- Oh c'mon! - Go home now.
Raza gave you an off
- yet you're here! Go home. - Okay, sir.
- Have some sweets and head home. - Come.
And Rane, I want the file on my table on Monday.
- Can you spare a couple of minutes? - Of course.
Sorry about earlier. I really shouldn't have...
It's said better safe than sorry.
Oh! That reminds me, we should invest in a safer safe.
What if the CIA gets hold of our documents?
Yes, we can look into it.
Great.
- A huge launch awaits in Thumba today. - Yes.
Are they still using those French rockets?
Yes but you know, Mathur,
the top three competing Formula One cars have the same engine.
- Really? - Yes, McLaren, Ferrari and Lotus.
The engine manufacturers never change.
What matters is the assembly, the engineers,
the weather conditions,
and most importantly
- the driver. - Who's in the driver's seat.
That's right.
- Have a good day, Mathur. - You too.
Homi, well...
- Come walk with me. - That Raza...
He wanted to meet you.
- Not now... - It's important.
He said that we're miscalculating the yield of CIRUS.
What?
- Yes, he said... - He said
that we're miscalculating the yield of CIRUS?
No, he actually said that we're overestimating the yield of CIRUS.
Obviously that will affect the new reactor.
He's at the reactor room.
I really think you should go meet him.
Okay.
He has 5 minutes, Mathur.
1498CC
Morris Oxford Farina
M for Morris, M for Mathur
M for Mathur's expensive car.
Raza sir, Homi wants to see you.
Did he also buy a new car?
He wants to discuss something important about the Americans.
Guess he has another secret to reveal.
Control room.
Mishra?
Rane?
Homi?
Mishra?
This is bullshit.
Mishra?
Is anyone around?
Homi? Why are you here?
Mathur said you were waiting here for me...
Homi...
- Homi... - Pull the lever and open it.
It won't open Homi, I'm really trying.
Try the manual override.
Manual...
- Raza, open the door. - Because of the radiation leak,
it won't budge, Homi.
We mustn't open it.
If there's a leak, we have to contain it within
the chamber itself, Homi.
- Atyulya! - Are you all right, Raza sir?
Homi is locked inside the chamber, Atulya.
What?
- What happened? - Homi sir.
- What about him? - Homi sir got locked inside.
Oh no!
What's he doing inside... Why is he inside?
- Raza sir, Mathur here... - Mathur!
Mathur, you said Homi wanted to see me here.
When I got here, there was nobody.
Relax, calm down
Sir, there's only one way to shut the reactor.
We'll have to drain all of Calendria's heavy water.
That will take 3 minutes and Homi will be exposed to it fully.
- If the core doesn't melt,... - Atulya.
...He should be safe.
- And if it does? - Then god help us, sir.
Raza sir, drain Calandria's heavy water.
There's a red button.
Push the button, sir.
Good.
Done.
Go, go! Run, run, run!
Now.
Go, all clear. Get in. Get him!
- Run. - Get Homi.
Go quick.
Sir, please come.
Homi is stuck inside the chamber.
Sir, why didn't you press the manual override button?!
I tried everything but nothing was working!
- Even the lever didn't work. - How so?
Do you think I'm mad?
I tried everything. Ask Homi if you like.
It won't work, right?
I tried.
Somebody cut off its wire.
How come?
On sec... That's why it isn't working...
Take him to the hospital...
Come.
Who cut off the wires?
Is he alive?
Rane, Satish!
Hurry up. Come quickly.
Sir, how was your meeting?
Mr. Sahu would like to see a miracle
Sir, as a child in Rameshwaram
I'd dream of flying a rocket.
My brother would say it will take a
miracle for my dreams to come true.
Now that it has come true,
they want more miracles.
Exactly, Kalam.
You pull a rabbit out of your hat once, it's magic.
But if you keep doing it, it becomes habit.
To both that man and the government,
we'll have to prove over and over that we're still capable of magic.
Sir, it's said, there is deception at every step,
Trickeries in every task.
But alas, drama is crucial in life!
You've turned into a poet these days.
Better focus on work too.
- Sir! - Don't forget you and Dan
- are responsible for the launch today. - Yes, sir.
- I'm just a spectator. - Yes, sir.
Calculations are okay?
Yeah, numbers are good.
Chitnis sir...
2 minutes.
- Ready for launch? - Ready.
Go, stand next to grandpa.
10, 9,
8, 7,
6, 5,
4, 3,
2, 1.
Sir, there's an error in the engine deflection.
Sir, please come in.