Madam Prime Minister,
you dismissed me as the finance minister
and appointed yourself in my stead.
But I don't need a designated post
to speak about the welfare of the party
especially now
that you have ruined India's economy.
You all have some files before you.
Those are financial reports ever since
Madam Prime Minister took over the finance ministry.
You all can see
that after becoming the finance minister...
the country's defence budget has increased fourfold.
All of us value our soldiers' lives
but this budget isn't helping war personnel on the border,
but scientists in Bombay
in the name of "nuclear research."
China is conducting nuclear tests.
Pakistan threatens us with bombs every other day.
And what are we doing?
"Research!"
Running space centres!
We're dreaming of flying into the space.
What requires your attention is that
this is being done without any accountability.
After Homi Bhabha's demise,
Vikram Sarabhai was made the chairman of AEC overnight.
There was no vote nor witness.
Nothing.
Madam Prime Minister has various portfolios under her.
External affairs, atomic energy...
I guess she's unable to shoulder that responsibility.
The party members have unanimously decided
that a new finance minister be appointed.
And this time, through votes.
I present the committee with a proposal
to appoint Mr. Yashwantrao Chavan as the finance minister.
Let's begin voting.
I vote for Mr. Chavan.
Chavan.
Being the party president,
I appoint Yashwantrao Chavan
as the finance minister.
- Good morning, sir. - Morning.
I'll see you in a bit.
Sir,
the USAEC delegation is about to arrive.
Yes.
Sir, uh, the team wants to discuss something with you before the meeting.
Okay.
Kalam, done with the TV testing in Delhi?
Yes, sir.
As soon as this meeting is over, I'll take the evening flight.
Sir, one more thing.
This USAEC inspecting our facilities
feels like a big invasion.
We've discussed these reasons so many times, Kalam.
Most importantly,
to get the American security blanket
against Pakistan and China's nuclear threats,
we'll have to sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Sir, but this treaty is a total sham. Even you know it.
Negotiations are in process. I won't let it be a one-sided deal.
But, sir, Ramanna sir and Iyengar have a proposal.
You should take a look at it before the meeting.
What proposal?
A proposal of total autonomy over PURNIMA reactor.
Sir, as far as PURNIMA is concerned, USAEC should not interfere.
- Is that what you want too? - Yes, sir.
Kalam, right now, it's important we convince America that
our nuclear reactors will be used only for peaceful purposes.
And you guys want me to ask them for autonomy over the PURNIMA reactor.
Why?
Just so we can build our bomb!
Sir.. Sir, but this promise of nuclear security
guarantee is discriminating in itself.
It is blatant hypocrisy on their part.
They have built their bombs and they want us to sit tight.
That's enough, Kalam!
- The USAEC is coming here to discuss.. - Sir, they are not coming here to discuss anything.
They are coming to give us orders.
Homi sir would have never allowed that.
Sir, we got independence 20 years ago but we are still enslaved.
Sir, the rest is up to you.
How's Mallika?
Doing very well. Busy with her acting classes.
She insisted I collect the prints today.
But I tell you...
Mallika is one of the prettiest girls I have ever clicked.
She is going to take the film industry by a storm.
They had better watch out.
Only if she doesn't get bored.
How was your performance in London?
Oh, absolutely wonderful!
International tours, you know how they are.
We don't have to bother about people pleasing.
That's true, that's true.
- Khurshed! - Yes?
- Are the prints ready? - Madam, the prints
will be ready by 6 PM.
- 6 PM?! - Yes.
- That late? - Yes.
I told you this morning, right?
- That I want the prints today? - Yes.
The flight is tonight.
Give me two minutes, I'll get it done now.
Do it right away.
- It's written here. - Give it to me.
Go to the workshop and get the prints ready now!
- Yes. - Speed it up. - Right away.
Mrinalini, I'm so sorry. I'm surrounded by a bunch of idiots.
I'll send the earlier prints and current ones by this evening.
- Earlier prints? - Yes.
We have prints under Vikram's name.
Dated?
23rd January, 1966
We weren't here back then.
We were in Ahmedabad.
Never the less, I'll send them both this evening.
Once again, I'm very sorry about the delay.
Not at all, Mrs...
I'm sorry.
Not at all, Parvin, and thank you very much.
Oh, it was a pleasure meeting you, my dear.
Likewise.
I didn't expect you to betray me.
This isn't betrayal but patriotism, Indu.
"Patriotism!"
You're telling me about patriotism!
- Whatever I did... - Wasn't for the good of the nation,
but for your personal gains.
I'm sure you've heard of Icarus.
If you fly too close to the sun,
you might burn your wings.
Are you threatening me?
No, take it as an advice.
Being the party president,
it's my duty to keep unchecked power under control.
I'm aware of my duty, Kamraj sir.
Maybe... but
this party helped you become a national leader.
I will not let you abuse that very party, nor this nation.
Consider Chavan's appointment as your first warning.
The more you try to topple me off the chair,
the more strongly I'll hold on to it.
You should be controlling your mind,
not the chair, Indu.
And bear in mind
the party was made to serve the nation,
not for monarchy.
Toe the party line, Madam Prime Minister,
and start by firing Vikram Sarabhai.
Dear Vikram,
as I prepare to leave for Vienna,
I have been struggling over my speech on India's nuclear future.
The international pressure has been immense.
While we debate over peaceful uses of nuclear energy,
your words keep coming back to me.
There can be no stipulations for peace.
It must be absolute.
Yes, we have been saying this for years,
arguing for years,
but the reality is
that the five most powerful nations in the world
have, on record, tested a nuclear bomb.
What's off the record, we will never know.
But that's what keeps me up at night.
India's nuclear future is what we make of it.
And I will need your support.
I hope when the time comes,
you will make the right choice.
In our fight against the world and modern warfare
remember, that the solution can always be found at home.
I leave you with Dr. King's words.
They reminded me of the song we sang that solitary night we spent in jail.
"The world is one great battlefield"
"with forces all arrayed."
"If in my heart, I do not yield"
"I'll overcome, some day."
Sir,
Mr. Sutherland and his team are here.
Give me a minute, please.
Malli?
Pete Seeger's version, Homi's favourite.
But you know your papa.
He prefers the translated version
by Girija Kumar Mathur.
Come join me for lunch.
That brings us back to the Calendria Hall.
I really hope we've been able to answer
all your questions about our facility
and that you're happy with the hospitality, Mr. Sutherland.
The legends of Indian hospitality are certainly not exaggerated.
Certainly not!
You see, we definitely want to sign the NPT
but we cannot shut down all our reactors.
Mr. Sarabhai, as I was telling your team,
the treaty cannot be tailor made for everyone.
The needs of every country are different.
You see, we're using nuclear power for electrification.
That's a loophole.
Powering dams,
providing electricity to villages.
You know as well as I do, Mr. Sarabhai,
this is the same loophole your predecessor used.
Mr. Sutherland,
if I may,
you have made such exceptions before.
Yes, but... The world has changed.
The US and its allies,
we strongly feel that a stricter policy
is the need of the hour.
Maybe that's because you already have a nuclear stockpile
So now it's convenient for you to be strict, isn't it?
I'm sorry, Mr. Sarabhai, signing the treaty
and shutting down the reactors
is the only way
India can demonstrate its commitment
to international peace.
No loopholes.
I hope to speak with you soon.
My colleague will support you outside.
Atulya, please.
What was that, Ramanna?
This meeting was arranged with great difficulty.
We need their support and that's how you're speaking to them?!
Support?
Guess you didn't listen to him.
He wants to shut down our reactors.
The reactors won't shut down.
You please focus on science, leave the politics to me.
What Homi wanted, got him killed.
I couldn't save him,
but I will not let that happen again.
We've lost enough in this never ending pursuit of war.
Now no more.
Sir, you know what they say.
War does not determine who's right,
only who's left.
I'm left, Kalam.
And my decision is absolutely final.
We are not going to make the bomb.
This was a well orchestrated plan.
To throw me out of the party.
Who can throw you out of the party, Madam?
You are the party.
They're forming a new party.
Indian National Congress Organisation is the name.
Kamraj and Desai are the joint presidents.
I am the bloody Prime Minister.
They can keep forming their little parties, give themselves
fancy names in order to feel powerful.
Call a special meeting at Teen Murti tomorrow with our trusted
ones after the parade tomorrow,
including loyalists and tell Vikram Sarabhai
to resign if he can't make the bomb.
They want a war, I'll give them one.
Mom, this one.
Dad looks so handsome in this.
- As always. - Dad is here.
Dad!
Look at these pictures.
You look so healthy and fit.
And now?
Look at your tummy!
Mom, stop sugar for dad.
You'll only eat healthy food.
Malli, go inside.
Go see if you've packed everything.
Go, dear.
Hey!
What's wrong, Mr. Sarabhai?
The dream we strove for since years
has finally come true.
But I don't know why, I'm not happy.
I feel lonely
at all times.
I have a gnawing fear of impending doom,
where our dream didn't see fruition.
- It's Homi. - Vikram...
I felt I could do anything
because he was always there for me.
But when he needed me, I wasn't there for him.
No!
That's not true.
I betrayed him.
No!
- I betrayed him. - No! You didn't.
No! You didn't betray him.
You feel incomplete because Homi's dream didn't come true.
And you know so well you have the power to fulfil it.
Just forget everyone, Vikram, just forget everybody.
I think it's time to finish what Homi started.
Vikram knows...
What does he know?
There is.. There is something that he knows.
- He went to Homi's office today. - Hmmmm
We haven't even cleaned it properly yet.
He.. He asked me something.
- What? - Something, something...
I can't uh, put a.. Put a finger on it, but...
That letter! Homi's... We shouldn't have taken it.
And that bloody Raza's suicide
is haunting us.
Raza's chapter was finished long ago.
Vikram testified he was crazy
six months ago, in court.
Pawns are bound to be sacrificed.
Hmmm... Pawns!
And who's the next pawn?
Me?
I am also a pawn to you, right?
You don't need me.
You'll just finish me off.
You know what? You lack confidence.
Have some confidence.
Vikram won't last long in the institute.
Who will take over after him?
Vishwesh Mathur,
the best scientist.
Your dear friend Homi died 1 year ago.
All doubts and aspersions
have already been raised.
Neither Vikram, nor Raza's spirit,
nor you can prove anything about Homi's death.
Do you know why?
Why?
Because there's no evidence.
23rd January, 1966
Irani Art Studio.
This is Vikram Sarabhai speaking. I have received some photos from your studio dated Jan'66.
Can you tell me who gave these photos to be developed?
One second, sir.
Mr. M. Raza.
Parvin Irani!
- Is anybody here? - Madam... Madam has left.
The studio is closed. Come tomorrow.
It's imperative that I meet her urgently.
Please connect me to her.
The studio is closed!
You don't understand, this is extremely urgent.
- Come tomorrow. - I'm requesting you!
See this.
This is a roll.
I need to have this developed urgently, please!
Your name?
Mehdi Raza.
Delivery address?
I'll collect it personally. No!
If I don't make it,
send it to Vikram Sarabhai.
Sorry for calling you this late, madam.
I hope you have good news, Sarabhai.
I'm done with bad news for the day.
You were right.
The enemy has taken our silence for our weakness.
We have to act.
So what are you proposing, Sarabhai?
It's time to make the bomb, madam.
I'm putting PURNIMA back on the table.
Happy Republic Day, Madam Prime Minister.