Hello, this is Pratima Puri from All India Radio,
presenting a special programme.
On the occasion of India's 17th Republic Day,
Delhi shall witness the country's first television broadcast experiment.
This unique study will be conducted
by INCOSPAR - Indian National Committee for Space Research,
under the guidance of renowned physicist Dr. Vikram Sarabhai.
80 villages around Delhi shall see
an education programme 'Krishi Darshan' on the television set.
This historic day holds great significance
for the Indian satellite programme and education initiative.
Are all TV sets delivered?
No, sir.
We have news for 55 out of 80.
The rest are still awaited.
And what are you waiting for?
Let me call.
Oh, thank you, sir!
All of you sit down.
It looks like an umbrella, is it one?
TV sets have reached all the centres.
Divide the centres amongst yourselves and check the signal strength.
Dr. Sarabhai himself is overseeing the experiment in one such village.
All India Radio offers best wishes to
Dr. Sarabhai and his team.
Please inform Kiran Karnik that we are ready for telecast.
We hope the 'Krishi Darshan' endeavour is a success
and the entire nation can soon experience this journey.
Sir, we're going live now.
- Ready, boys? - Ready, sir.
- Ready? - Ready.
Final check.
3 2 1.
Greetings to all viewers of Krishi Darshan.
Welcome to the show.
Change is the law of nature.
Nights follow days and winters follow summers.
Indeed, life would be bland without these changes.
These changes are also crucial for the growth of crops.
We can harvest grains between two seasons
or even grow flowers or vegetables in the interim.
Thus our farmers will benefit greatly.
Harvesting only one crop continuously
ebbs the land's productivity
and the harvest lacks nutrients.
But farmers today are a wisened lot.
They rotate crops seasonally, that increases productivity.
See you again
next time with another informative and entertaining episode.
Until then, good bye.
Can it not be fairly put
that by contributing to exodus of the refugees
with your support for the Pakistan guerrillas,
You're in fact contributing to the...
Does that mean we allow the massacre to continue?
What happened first?
How many were killed according to your correspondence -
the British newspapers?
American newspapers, Canadian newspapers?
Arabian newspapers?
The massacre began long before there was a single guerilla.
Yes, but what about your role in quietening the situation?
What does quietening mean?
Does it mean we support this genocide?
Do you think people will sit aside and watch
as their women are raped in front of them?
They would sit aside and say let's be quiet.
That's not quietening.
That is the worst possible kind of war.
That is the worst possible kind of violence.
And one thing you must remember is that we have never, NEVER
attacked anybody, yet we have been attacked three times.
We have shown considerable restraint so far
but one thing I am absolutely sure of
is if the enemy forces our hand, we will not hold back.
Let me put this clearly in terms that aren't ambivalent.
India will not be threatened, not anymore.
We are prepared to take any action necessary
no matter how barbaric you may term it.
In your correspondence-
the British newspapers, American newspapers, Canadian newspapers,
- Yeah? - Arabian newspapers...
Satellite images, sir.
The massacre began long before there was a single guerilla.
Yes, but, what about your role in quietening the situation?
What does quietening mean?
- It's quite something. - Does it mean we support this genocide?
Do you think that's how...
The surveillance photos show nothing, sir,
just like they have for the last 4 - 5 years.
Perhaps it might be wise to heed POTUS' word,
focus on Vietnam for a while.
India's imploding in on itself with its war with Pakistan and China.
Maybe you could speak with the director.
Have him cool off on surveillance for a while?
No,
we'll stick with the Indians.
I've got a feeling they're not done yet.
General Kabrawali, how far is the Longewala post?
Lt. Col. Sabharwal, sir.
Longewala post is around 200 km away.
200 km away.
Okay.
Jai Hind, sir.
Jai Hind sir.
Do you have permission to take pictures?
Care to check?
Look, we were informed that
they're digging a well in the Pokhran range.
Hence, you're doing this survey.
But why take pictures of the base to dig a well?
What's the name of the project again?
Operation Dry Enterprise.
That's what we're calling it.
Operation Dry Enterprise. Nice name, sir.
When are we supposed to tell the army what it really is?
When the time is right.
And where is the site?
Pokhran, Rajasthan.
Is Iyengar sir present there?
You already know Mr. Sethna.
- Mr BD. Nagachaudhry from DRDO. - Abdul Kalam.
- And of course, Mr. Atulya. - How are you buddy?
Isn't sir here?
Vikram sir has gone to inaugurate the Thumba railway station.
How does he make time for such things?
I don't know. In fact he should be...
There he is.
From the station master to the governor,
everyone was swooning over you. Nobody even spoke to me.
Are you getting jealous, Mr. Vikram Sarabhai?
On the contrary, I love it when old men flirt with you.
Mrinalini, I didn't know you were coming!
- Loved your performance last weekend. - Thank you.
- Hello, madam. - Hello. Kalam.
Gentlemen, why don't you all proceed to the conference room?
I will just join you.
Kalam, please.
I have an urgent meeting with them. I'll be done soon.
- Wait at the guest house. - One meeting means three meetings,
two phone calls and one press conference, right?
A meeting means one small one.
Okay, I'll be waiting for you.
I won't keep you waiting for too long.
I present to you our new science project!
Kalam, can I have my satellites please?
Sir, we couldn't arrange for the satellites.
But I have another hack that will help.
Can we assume these three torches to be the US spy satellites?
Hexagon, Gambit and Corona.
I have started to like your arrangements, Kalam!
These American satellites are equipped with state of the art delivery system
and stereo panoramic camera.
- Can we please point it at the ceiling? - Yes, sir.
The CIA spies over BARC through these satellites.
Keep it there.
Their working is quite simple.
After the pictures are clicked, they're retrieved through a return vehicle.
Sir, how long does it take...
for retrieved surveillance photos to reach Langley?
Sir, about 30 days.
Are there any blind spots?
Yes, sir, but barely.
If we map the satellite's trajectory,
then we get two blind spots everyday, of 30 minutes each.
Assuming we use the blind spots
and bring the bomb out of Trombay,
the CIA would still have its greatest asset.
Their on-ground intelligence. What about that?
You're right, Mr. Chaudhary.
But the good news is that we know about their asset.
While they have no idea about this project.
And we must keep it that way.
This doesn't leave this room.
We have to assume that
everyone's constantly watching us.
- Indeed. - Especially the CIA.
Then what's the plan, sir?
We simply cut out their signal.
Sir, defence is deliberating over blocking
and Soviet is at it too.
But getting our hands on this technology will take time.
Mr. Chaudhary, what if I tell you we already have that technology?
What would you all say?
Kalam.
Sir, the Americans themselves
are soon going to give us the solution to our problems.
ISRO's satellite programme.
Vikram sir is very close to finalising the deal with NASA.
NASA will provide us with the ATS6 satellite.
I'm going to put it in the path of their spy satellites.
That will give us a two hour blind spot.
Is that good enough time for you?
Yes, I think that should be enough.
What do you think, Ramanna?
You think DRDO can manage?
- Of course. - Consider it done.
But, sir, when CIA gets these photos,
there will be a blind spot of 2 hours.
Won't they get suspicious?
They will.
But we'll have 30 days
and I think that's enough.
What will they tell us anyway?
How did the signal to our three spy satellites get blocked?
The Americans aren't that stupid, gentlemen.
Pot calling the kettle black!
You got it!
Who would've thought that this educational satellite
will help us with testing our bomb.
Exactly what I've been saying for years, Ramanna.
Sometimes, the most violent of problems have peaceful solutions.
Sir, if we weren't testing the bomb,
I would've definitely agreed with you.
That's something you and I can finally shake hands on, ah?
It's time for the launch, sir.
- Come. - See you, gentlemen. See you.
10 9 8
7 6 5
4 3 2 1
And finally your rocket into space ha?
Who had thought!
See, I remembered all the names today.
Getting better with age.
Because of the almonds you've been feeding me.
I'm so happy you could make it.
I can't believe you had never witnessed any of our launches yet.
Hmm.. I had to make do with the elaborate explanations and recreations
which I very much enjoyed.
It'd be great if the kids were here too.
How did Malli's audition go?
Did she get the part? Of Draupadi?
No.
But she's performing next Friday at Darpan.
Make sure you're on time, Vikram.
I can't keep saving you from her, you know that.
What luck I have!
You don't save me from her, neither does she save me from you!
I get thrashed either way.
Kids grow up so fast!
Time just flies.
Hmmm.
Malli will leave in a few days.
I feel like I've missed out on their best years.
Vikram,
instead of focusing on what you've missed,
focus on what you did and what you did right.
Those kids you mentioned being one of them.
Why are you so nice?
What did I do to deserve you?
Something right. Hmmm?
Do you have to go back so soon?
You're returning tomorrow.
I'll come with you now.
Okay, I'll smuggle you in with my luggage.
- Will do. - Sir.
Sorry.
What is it, Kalam?
Sir, uh.. The meeting with NASA...
Kalam's unending meetings!
Now I'll have to stay back for a day!
I understand.
Shall we?
Now tell me.. Which meeting?
Sir, we have a meeting with NASA next month so PMO...
Don't worry, I'll speak to Mrs. Gandhi.
Okay, sir.
- Was that it? - Yes, sir.
I must say you have such impeccable timing, Kalam.
Sorry, ma'am.
Also, good job at the launch site today.
- Thank you, sir. - I'll see you tomorrow morning at 5 AM.
Okay, sir.
Kalam, next time, knock.
Sir.
Madam Prime Minister,
I write to you after yet another successful launch at Thumba today.
I truly believe that in a few years,
India's space programme
will be at par with her contemporaries
or maybe, even better.
Along with ISRO, I am also focusing on our nuclear programme.
With the undying efforts of Dr. Ramanna and his team,
in the next 3 years, India's first atomic bomb will be ready.
As the chairman of AEC,
it is both my right and responsibility
to implore you that this bomb will be used only for peaceful purposes.
Homi always said "Equal power ensures peace".
Today I agree with him,
provided we stay true to our conscience.
We haven't inherited this world from our ancestors,
but rather it is a mortgage we have taken from the generations to come.
When we started off,
we willed for India to be at par with the world.
We wished to provide opportunities and institutions to the coming generations.
To propel our newly independent nation into a global superpower.
Today, India is at the ledge of world domination.
Our people, our scientists, our talent
are amongst the best in the world.
I think I have fulfilled my purpose.
Madam, uh, Vikram Sarabhai is no more.
Call Mrinalini Sarabhai
and prepare a message.
- Malli! Have you finished packing your bags? - Yes mom
It's time for the flight. We have to leave fast.
- Have you packed your books as well? - Yes it's all done.
What done? Your science books are still here.
You and your dad, I tell you!
And that must be him, right on cue!
Mrinal, I'm extremely sorry, I cannot make it today.
Kalam needs me here, etc.
Hello?
Yes?
Bring him here.
At home.
Before bidding you goodbye, I'd like to note words by Faiz
that give me hope when in darkness.
"That time of dusk, when on the edge of light,
Two moments reconcile,
That is neither night nor day, Not today nor tomorrow,
That lives forever for a blink,
That vanishes in a wink
That lives forever for a blink,
That vanishes in a wink
I hope to see you soon.
At the Place of Five Mirages.
They're ready, madam.
They're awaiting your orders.
Think once again. If the agent talks,
the CIA will go to Nixon
and he will not allow this test.
The call is yours, madam.
How long for the test?
9-10 hours once you give the green signal.
You have 8 hours.
The Buddha will smile today.
I know about India.
About their nuclear plans.
What do you know about India?
It's ready.
What's ready?
Ramanna sir, telex from the PMO.
Yeah, come in.
We intercepted a telex from the Indian PMO.
It was sent at midnight.
Why is the Indian PM sending a telex to Rajasthan
in the middle of the f*****g night?
Huh? Anyone?
I have P. K. Iyengar,
BARC second-in-command travelling to Rajasthan last month.
I've got images from the airport.
Official reports say he was travelling on holiday with his family but...
Let me guess, he's alone.
- Right? - Exactly.
Actually, listed on the flight crew was T. S. Murti.
The nuclear scientist that Bhabha hired from Paris.
Correct, sir.
- What's he holding? - That looks like a bottle, sir.
No, no, it's a.. It's a thermos for coffee.
Yeah but he doesn't drink from it.
Doesn't set it down. He holds it in his hand through security.
What the f**k is in the thermos?
Sir.
What's with the thermos, sir?
It's a top secret.
You see, the flower, our initiator...
This was ready just a week ago.
It had to be brought here for allocation
but without detection.
How did we manage that?
- Smuggled it. - Smuggle?
The flower is in bloom.
Hey, wait. Coming!
What are you doing here?
Idiot!
They made a bomb under your nose and you're sleeping!
What? What bomb?
Atom bomb!
Atom bomb, fool!
The same bomb we've been slogging off for 15 years
to stop from being made!
Circuit is intact.
-We should do one round of final checks. -Let me know.
What does this mean?
The Place of Five Mirages.
Place of Fi- Mirages. I've heard it before.
Kalam, Iyengar... They are all together in Rajasthan.
- What are they doing? - I just told you
a nuclear project was started there three months ago.
It's a planned and scheduled visit.
Dry Enterprise...
Does.. Does that name.. ring a bell?
- All clear. - All set, sir.
2 hours to detonate.
- Yes! Yes! Dry Enterprises. - Yes.
Three years ago,
- a project was planned in Jaisalmer. - A-a-and?
- It was started three years ago and... - And?
- At an army base, yes. - Any documents?
Any proof? Where can we get proof?
BARC. At the office.
I hope you're right.
Crow won't stop
until he gets to the bottom of this.
Sir, we have enough to start looking in Rajasthan.
The President needs more proof.
- Sir... - Solid proof.
Not just the word of some Soviet spy or a telex we can't decode.
Robert! The press is balls deep in the whole Watergate mess right now!
We can't afford to be making any mistakes.
You go get your teams in order.
Indira Gandhi is weak.
Her party is facing strong opposition
there's in-fighting and she's desperate.
Sure, we can cut off her funding
and technical programmes and weapons deal
but we have to be absolutely sure.
So you get me solid proof
and you can start by decoding whatever this is.
What the f**k does it mean?
The Place of Five Mirages.
I told him...
- What the f**k does it mean? - Maybe they're trying to buy time.
Maybe they want to...
Bullshit.
Don't worry, gentlemen. Looks like a minor storm.
It'll pass in 5-10 minutes.
Sir, I will go check.