Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran
*ing: John Abraham, Diana Penty, Boman Irani
Rated: 7.5/10
Movies that are based on or inspired from true events make you wonder whether what unfolds on the 70 mm screen really took place as the movie progresses. Of course, the disclaimer tells you that the film is only inspired from true events. But how much of what the makers have shown is true and how has it been fictionalised to give it a cinematic spin to make it entertaining is the question that hangs in balance.
The film tells us how it all began, the people involved and the end result. It is a movie with a commercial release. Hence there is need to dramatise it and even add some fictional element to it. Many may have a problem with this but the idea is to tell a story and if it needs some additional props to make one sit up and listen, go ahead and fictionalise it as much as there is need.
However, full marks must be given to JA Entertainment and director Abhishek Sharma to tell a story that made every Indian proud. Those who closed watched the events unfold back in 1998 may recollect the euphoria that had gripped the entire nation. May 11 was a great year for us — we became a nuclear-weapon State.
A bit of general knowledge here — The National Technology Day celebrated each year on May 11 is a reminder of the anniversary when we showed the world our power — Operation Shakti. A word of advice here. The film is not for those who are looking to be entertained via item numbers or looking for the usual Bollywood masala.
But to say that there is no action and that there is no thrill, would be wrong. We all know that we were successful in our mission yet, as the climax nears you hold your breath and wait for things to go wrong at the last minute. Something on the lines of Chak De India — that we may not make it knowing fully well that we had won.
A must see for every Indian since Parmanu: The Pokhran Story, gives a sneak peek of what happened as truthfully and honestly as the makers could tell without turning it into a docu-film.