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Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran

Name: Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran
Director: Abhishek Sharma
Released: 2018
Duration: 129 min

Representation Score

3.6/10

Limited

2018

Not Rated

Director

Abhishek Sharma

Runtime

129 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran is a nationalistic biographical thriller that focuses on state achievements and scientific sovereignty. Its narrative structure revolves around traditional patriotism and institutional stability, limiting opportunities for diverse storytelling. While the film effectively challenges Western geopolitical dominance by framing international oversight as an infringement on sovereignty, it does so within a very traditional framework. This emphasis on national milestones leads to a homogeneous social landscape. The film reinforces conventional gender and disability hierarchies by centering on the high-level competence required for military and scientific operations.

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Category Breakdown

Does Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or representations of non-cisgender identities.

How does Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran portray gender?

Limited

The story emphasizes male leadership in science and the military, while female characters primarily serve in supportive roles such as domestic or romantic partners.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran?

Fair

The cast is ethnically uniform, reflecting the specific Indian scientific and political environment of the time. It serves as a localized narrative of national identity.

How does Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran represent religion and culture?

Fair

The film portrays nuclear capability as an act of self-reliance, positioning Western agencies as obstacles to national sovereignty.

Does Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no significant depictions of physical, sensory, or neurodivergent disabilities in the film.

Present on Screen

The film successfully challenges Western geopolitical narratives by framing international oversight as an infringement on national sovereignty.
It provides a localized narrative of identity centered on a specific historical and national milestone.

Limited or Absent

The narrative reinforces conventional gender hierarchies by focusing intellectual and strategic authority almost exclusively among male protagonists.
The film lacks representation of physical, sensory, or neurodivergent disabilities.
The social fabric remains strictly traditional, with no presence of LGBTQ+ characters or non-cisgender identities.

Official Synopsis

A look at India's second confidential nuclear test series at Pokhran lead by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, during the time of PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee's tenure.

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