'Parmanu' review: This John Abraham Show is effective and thrilling

Film: Parmanu: The Story Of Pokhran 

Cast: John Abraham, Diana Penty, Boman Irani   

Director: Abhishek Sharma  

Genre: Thriller/Drama 

Duration: 2 hours 09 minutes 

Language: Hindi (U)

Story:

In 1995, after China has conducted nuclear tests, Ashwat Raina (John) an IIT-educated IAS officer, working in the PMO, suggests at the Principal Secretary’s meeting that India too should go nuclear. However, the tests are forced to be called off after pressure from America, and Raina, who is made the scapegoat, is ousted from office. But after a new government comes to power in 1998, Raina gets a second chance to lead the mission.  

Review:

As the title Parmanu: The Story Of Pokhran suggests, the movie is based on the true event of May 11, 1998, when India became a nuclear state. However, director Abhishek Sharma, who has also written the screenplay, along with Saiwyn Quadras and Sanyunkta Chawla Shaikh, has treated it cinematically and simplified it to make it understandable to audiences across all ages and walks of life.

What makes the film interesting is that while we know the climax -- that India conducted the nuclear tests -- how it hoodwinked American spy satellites, beat on-field agents from US and Pakistan and executed the plan in lesser time while political upheavals threatened the government is all packed in a little over two hours. And so is the family life of Ashwat, who keeps his professional life a secret from his wife Sushma (Anuja Rathe), which slows the pace in the first half.

Post-intermission, the film shifts gears and heightens the drama and the thrills. Even if certain scenes may appear a little far-fetched, the urgency keeps you hooked to the proceedings. Moreover, the director has appropriately used the footages of US President Bill Clinton, Pak PMs Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Shariff and Indian PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee to aid in re-telling the geopolitical situations of that time.

John, who leads the mission, plays his part well. He’s not only lost weight and muscle but also downplayed his huge personality and doesn’t display the usual heroism when attacked by the Pakistani spy. Even in the first half, he portrays Ashwat’s vulnerability with sincerity. Diana Penty as the RAW (Research and Analysis Wing) officer Ambalika is okay, but one can’t help wondering how her hair and make-up is intact at all times. Boman Irani lends strong support as Himanshu Shukla, the principal secretary in Vajpayee’s regime with his convincing performance. Mark Bennington as the American spy Daniel and Abhiroy Singh as an agent of Pak’s ISI add to the drama and tension.

Sandeep Chowta’s background score aptly fits in with the on-screen tension. Zubin Mistry does a fine job as the director of photography, beautifully capturing the drama unearthing in the Pokhran landscape.

Soundtrack by Sachin-Jigar and Jeet Gannguli (Jitni Dafa) are not jarring as they play in the backdrop. The former’s 'Shubh Din' perfectly marks the arrival of the bombs at the test range. The use of CGI, especially in the spy satellite sequences and the nuclear explosion is good.

Verdict:

Parmanu, that simplifies an important chapter in the history of Independent India, makes an interesting watch without resorting to any jingoism. The climax evokes a sense of pride about India becoming a global power.

Critic’s Rating: 3/5