Watch Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran

Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran is a Bollywood drama film that tells the story of the Indian government’s successful underground nuclear tests at Pokhran, Rajasthan in May 1998. The film stars John Abraham as Ashwat Raina, a dedicated and patriotic senior officer of the Indian Army’s bomb disposal squad who is tasked with assembling the team that will carry out the top-secret mission.

The movie begins with a brief backstory of India’s tryst with nuclear energy and how the country was left vulnerable due to economic sanctions imposed by the US and other developed nations. The film then picks up pace as Raina undertakes the daunting task of putting together a team of experts from different fields to help him execute the mission. Raina faces several challenges along the way, including bureaucratic red tape, lack of resources, and resistance from his own team members who are skeptical about the government’s plan.

Boman Irani plays the role of Himanshu Shukla, a stubborn and skeptical bureaucrat who becomes the obstacle for Raina and his team. Shukla is shown as a man who is more interested in keeping his own job secure rather than working for the greater good of the country. Diana Penty plays the role of Captain Ambalika, a no-nonsense intelligence officer who is a part of Raina’s team.

The film also shows the team’s meticulous planning to avoid detection by foreign intelligence agencies and media. They come up with an elaborate plan to fool the US surveillance satellites by disguising their activities as a routine earthquake measuring exercise. The team’s ingenuity is put to test when they face multiple challenges during the mission due to faulty equipment, power outages, and communication breakdown.

What makes Parmanu a compelling watch is its ability to take the audience through the emotional journey of the characters. John Abraham delivers a convincing performance, showcasing the character’s patriotism, determination, and leadership skills. Boman Irani too does a commendable job of playing the antagonist, providing the necessary conflict to the plot.

The film also touches upon the moral dilemma of using nuclear energy for war and the repercussions of such a decision. The characters are shown grappling with the ethics of their actions and the consequences it could have for the country and the world at large.

In terms of technical aspects, the film does justice to the subject matter with its well-executed action sequences, realistic sets, and convincing portrayals of characters. The cinematography captures the barren beauty of the desert landscape while the music adds to the tense atmosphere of the movie.

Overall, Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran is a well-made film that pays tribute to the unsung heroes who made India a nuclear power. It weaves together real-life events with fictional dramatizations to deliver an engaging story that keeps the audience hooked till the end.

Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran is a 2018 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 15 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6.