Do you want to become a bowler?
No, papa!
I want to become a scientist.
India's best physicist!
A physicist!
I thought you are going to become a bowler,
like my captain - M.E. Pavri.
Pavri, who?
He's the best bowler we've ever had!
And the captain of the team!
Someday, we will go and watch him play.
Not now, papa.
Once I become India's best scientist,
start my own institute, Bhabha institute of Science,
then we'll go meet Pavri!
Bhabha Institute of Science, ok.
First get your old man out again.
Ready Homi?
- Good morning. - Good morning, Feroz.
Good morning, ma.
Good morning.
I thought you would be on time at least today.
Why? What's today? Is it an important day?
Come have some breakfast.
Not hungry.
- Jehangir. - Yes.
I've spoken to Choksi.
He said he's put in a good word with JRD.
Come on, Mehreen, you think our son needs help.
I know. My son's brilliant.
But I just wanted to clarify.
If my son doesn't get this grant...
...then Choksi is a dead man.
I mean, what's the point of being married to a lawyer...
...if he can't bail you out for murder, right?
Wouldn't be the first time.
Yes, your ladyship.
Come on, let's go.
Go my darling, good luck.
Thanks, ma.
You'll be fine.
Let's go, it's time.
Mrinalini!
Guess, I dropped by at the wrong time.
It's the final submission of my thesis report.
Big day.
If all goes well, I'll be able to go back to Cambridge...
...for my PhD.
All the best.
Thank you.
Naganamukkorai!
Why do you lovingly keep scolding me in Tamil?
It means Moonflower in Tamil.
I don't know, I thought it would be...
- You know... - Romantic?
Appropriate.
But they only blossom at night. Sorry.
Don't be. They are perfect.
Just like you.
Well...I'm leaving today...
...so I thought I'll see you before I leave.
Oh yes...
...you've a train to catch in two hours.
Yes.
You won't be coming to Bangalore anytime soon.
Do you understand gravity?
Huh?
I may come down to Madras for a gravitational experiment.
By the way, what will you do when you go back?
Same thing I do here.
Bharatnatyam.
And...
your dance academy?
I'll build that too... when I get a chance.
It's easy when you know what you want.
I think I should leave.
- Me too.
- Bye, Vikram. - Bye, Mrinalini.
- Jehangir. - Rustom.
Jehangir, how are you?
- Fine. Great. - How is Mehreen?
- She's great. - Good.
How are you, uncle Choksi?
Fine, thank you, Homi.
- Are you ready? - Ready?
You be ready. Mehreen's going to kill you if he doesn't get the grant.
Oh God!
Homi, my life is in your hands now.
How did Raza do?
Very good.
- Wonderful. - Good.
The board loved his proposal.
He has the experience.
He's built his own institute.
He's on the board of several Universities.
Even you've worked for him, right?
When did I work for him?
Leave all of this. You'll be fine.
Just give a good presentation. You'll do great.
Okay?
We'll have lentils and prawns for dinner tonight.
- Thank you, daddy. - See you.
I'll just walk with him. I'll be back soon.
- Homi! - Congratulations, sir.
Yes... Excuse me. Excuse me.
My friend.
So nice to see you here.
Good to see you, Raza.
Of course. Of course.
Elder brother, younger brother...
Good.
You see, Homi...
...only facts work in the world of science.
Hmm.
And papa can...
...only get you till these doors.
- So, all the best. - Sir, we're ready for the meeting.
- Thank you. - Ohh...Good luck.
Everything is theoretically impossible...
...until it is done.
In 79 AD, a Roman philosopher Pliny the Elder...
...said something similar.
In 1921...
...visionary rocket pioneer Robert Goddard said exactly the same thing.
Over centuries philosophers, writers and scientists...
...have all agreed that until we don't try...
...and don't fail...
...every achievement is impossible.
I've had the opportunity in my life...
...to work with some of this generation's greatest minds.
And now I want Indian researchers to avail this opportunity as well.
And so...
...I propose the creation of the Bhabha Institute of Science.
The first institute dedicated to nuclear research in all of Asia.
The primary focus of this institute will be...
...the fundamental study of atomic energy.
And after that, we'll open up its scope to radio astronomy.
Nuclear fission has opened up a whole new world of possibilities...
...and we haven't even scratched the surface yet.
But I believe with the time, the resources...
..and the intellectual manpower,
we will be able to study it properly.
Everything is impossible until it isn't.
So gentlemen...
...please help me in turning the Bhabha Institute of Science...
...from a fantasy into a...
Homi, this proposal of yours...
...is really impressive.
Thank you.
But we don't want to go in this direction.
I could go into more detail if you...
No, you don't have to. Not really.
This is your vision, your ambition, your institute.
Maybe you can apply for an individual research grant.
So thank you and good luck.
Thank you, Jeh.
'I'm a selfish man! Happy?'
'Had your tantrum?'
'I got an opportunity and I took it.'
'I know what it means to shut this institution down...'
'...but if we get the opportunity to work at a better institute...'
'...with better equipment and better facilities...'
'...then what's wrong with that?'
'I am privileged...'
'...but at least I don't give false hopes to students.'
You've been assembling that rocket in your garage for months...
...for years, in fact.
'I can't keep waiting around for things to happen to me.'
'It's always about your personal glory and prestige.'
'What will you do with state of the art facilities...'
'...better equipment, Homi...'
'...unless it's for something that really matters.'
I think you can make it crisper.
Sir.
- Sir...I'm sorry. - Homi.
May I have five minutes of your time please, sir?
Sir, you were right.
This is rubbish. Let it go.
Homi, that's not what I meant.
No, no, no, you don't need to spare my feelings.
If anyone understands, it's me.
It's rubbish, forget it.
What I want to express is...
Sir, where's your tie from?
- What? - Your tie...where is it from?
I...I don't remember...
What about your shoes?
If I remember, I think from Italy.
Italian. And your watch is probably Swiss.
Yeah, you are.
And not just these luxury items.
That projector, my tie, my jacket, my belt, I bet my belt is also imported.
Homi. Homi.
What is your point?
Right from a cycle to a sewing machine...
...everything is from a foreign country.
My education is from a foreign country.
We don't make anything in India.
And I want to change it.
A complete moron...
...once he said to me that my institute is pointless...
...if it's not for the greater good.
If it's not for a bigger and better cause.
That's a...remarkable sentiment but...
Yeah, the plan... The plan...
...is pretty simple.
The research I was talking about...
...with time and with effort it will inevitably lead...
...to the development of nuclear energy...
...which will generate power, produce electricity.
We maybe importing even our ties today...
...but after energy independence, energy self-sufficiency...
...we can increase indigenous production.
Use new technology.
We need electrification.
Self-reliance.
Whether you give me this grant or not...
...if there was a better proposal, for a better institute...
...then please, sir, fund them.
And I promise...
...that I'll be the first person at the door, applying for a job.
Forget my proposal.
But the Tata Institute...
...of Fundamental Research, with those goals in mind must be built.
That's my five minutes.
F**k!
Grants are drying out every year.
Difficult to apply.
But you must meet this boy. Very bright. Brilliant.
- Quietly does his job. - Good morning, sir.
Please come, Vikram.
Meet Dr. Vishvesh Mathur.
As you know, he's been reviewing your dissertation.
Good to meet you, sir.
The feeling is mutual, Mr. Sarabhai.
Okay.
Time distribution of cosmic rays.
I must acknowledge I found your dissertation...
...extremely detailed and unique.
Thank you, sir.
But a few questions remain unanswered.
For starters, why did you prefer to use Geiger Muller counters?
Over, for example, photo-emulsion plates?
We discussed the possibility of using photo emulsion plates.
But...based on my discussion with Dr. Homi Bhabha...
...we chose Geiger Muller counters.
Rightly so, I would say.
Okay, jumping into some nitty-gritties.
Experiment one to three.
You've used single Geiger counter arrangements...
...cylinders of four, two and one-inch lengths have been used.
'That's where you and I differ, Sarabhai.'
'If you keep weighing the pros and cons, moral obligations...'
'...right and wrong...'
'...then you'll lose the opportunity.'
- So experiment four... - Vikram!
Mr. Sarabhai seems to be a little preoccupied today.
'The train is leaving the station, my friend.'
'Are you on it? Or have you been left behind?'
- I need to go. - What?
You mean now?
The train is leaving the station, my friend...
...and I need to be on it.
Well...you must then, I guess.
I just can't wait for things to just happen to me, right?
I am so sorry, sir. So sorry...
I've worked really hard on this thesis.
On this dissertation I mean. And I should be here...
...but right now, I've to go.
Wherever that is, Mr. Sarabhai...
...I hope it's more important than your Doctorate.
Yeah... it is.
Vikram, don't behave like Homi.
Sometimes you got to behave like Homi, sir.
Has he gone mad?
And, sir...
Sometimes we scientists just go with our instincts.
I hope that answers your question.
What is this?
Mrinalini!
Vikram?
I want to talk to you.
I can call you...
No, I need to talk right now, Mrinalini.
I have to talk to you right now.
What is it, Vikram? Speak up.
- It's almost time for the train... - I love you, Mrinalini.
- Yoo hoo!! Awesome. - Great.
I love you very much.
I love how you make me feel...
Everything about you.
I should've said it earlier, but...
I can't let you go, Mrinalini.
Suddenly...
No, Mrinalini...
...it's not sudden.
Whenever I'm around you, I feel anything is possible.
I can...
I feel like I can...
...go anywhere, do anything. I can...I can be someone.
I even left my thesis presentation for you.
I'm such a fool for you.
Mrinalini...
...don't go.
You're perfect for me, Mrinalini.
- Say yes... - Say yes...
Say yes, madam.
I've always waited for the right time, the right person.
But I've realised that there is no right time...
...but...right now.
I want to take this chance, Mrinalini...
...because I can feel it in my bones that you're the right one.
You're the right one for me. You're perfect for me.
I'll... You're...
Sorry.
Thank you.
Give it to me. I'll keep it inside.
What happened?
Whatever I said in there, I meant it.
I really love you, Mrinalini. Honestly.
I know you're speaking the truth.
Even I like you.
And I wanted to hear you say this as well.
But...
...you said I'm perfect for you.
I should stay so you don't feel incomplete.
I should change my plans because you didn't present your thesis.
Are you listening to yourself, Vikram?
You sound so selfish.
It's all about you.
I was talking about you and I.
- About us. - I wanted to go to Madras, Vikram.
That was the last bus.
And now I'll just miss my train.
I'll drop you.
No, thank you. You've done enough.
But Mrinalini, listen...
What does it mean?
Listen...
Then...what?
Yes or no?
Vikram, please!
She's such a weird girl.
The other day she was standing near the swing here and saying...
...you know what you want and when you want.
And when I told her, she said no in front of everyone.
Come on, Vikram.
Should I ask Homi?
He returned to Bangalore yesterday.
He was probably going to meet Mrinalini.
- Homi? - Yes.
He's the biggest manipulator in this world.
And anyways, he's not interested in these things.
What things?
Things that turn a good scientist into an a*****e.
Have you lost your mind?
Can't you see the man's hurting?
I wouldn't say he's hurting. I would say he's...
...demolished.
He's the saddest man on earth.
His insides are on his outsides.
It's disgusting.
I know there's a cavity where there should be a heart, Homi...
...but can you at least try to have one.
Why do I have to keep proving to everyone that I have a heart?
Well, no one's asking you to prove anything.
Just don't start lecturing on love, weakness and all that bullshit.
Well, whether or not that's true...
...I'm not lecturing you.
I'm simply acknowledging that one needs a lot of courage to do this.
I see... Really now?
So now you're in favour of all this?
I'm just saying that maybe you didn't give your 100%.
Do you want me to protest outside her house now?
Vikram, she's got some time to think.
Maybe now she can correctly weigh her options.
- That's possible. - It's nothing of the sort.
Her decision was very clear.
Because you straightaway gave her a marriage proposal.
I mean...
Pipsy, you're a woman, right?
- I would think so. - She is.
What do women want?
- Spontaneity - Consistency.
Consistency, obviously.
- You've to keep showing up. - You've to try one more time.
- Yes... - One time is no good.
- You didn't try hard enough. - He's right.
You call this your best effort?
Do it again. Give it another try.
Which experiment succeeds in the first trial, Vikram?
- Exactly, Mr. Scientist. - We try again.
This logic of yours about experiments, even I realised...
...that just like we achieve a result after trying over and over again...
...similarly this isn't any different.
I've to try and try again.
You got this.
You can do it, Vikram.
Come on, get up. Go.
- Should I go now? - Yes.
Why not?
I've this feeling inside that I should...
- I'm getting this feeling, and... - Go now.
- Come on. - Yes, go now.
- I should go now. - Brilliant.
- Come on! - You're right.
- Yes. - I should try.
She's right.
I should definitely try again.
And it will happen.
- It will. - It will happen.
- I will do it. - You can do it.
- I will do it, Homi. - You can do it.
- I will do it. - You can do it.
He can't do it.
You're such an idiot.
Mrinalini, I...
What are you doing? It's so late.
I want to say something.
Wait...wait.
I..want to..
You..want.. to?
Give you... something.
What?
Wait..wait.
Vikram?
Are you lighting that? You're mad.
Move..move.
Vikram, that was bad.
Sorry..sorry!
Sorry.
In that...
there's a note for you.
Mrinalini, you're perfectly unique..
..and absolutely mesmerizing.
Just like the Blue Lotus.
My intention was not to shoot down your dreams.
But to launch ours together.
I love you very much, Mrinalini.
And if you let me love you..
..I will always put you before me.
Forever.
Please, marry me.
There you are. Your mummy's looking for you. Go.
But that's the problem, I've no idea...
- We'll meet the swami. - This place looks completely different.
It's all Pipsy.
Shireen.
Come.
Welcome, Swami.
Here's the bride. Please explain everything to him. Everything.
Hello. Hello.
Swami, I wanted to understand about the rituals from you.
When they exchange the garlands...
...I want you to throw the petals at them...
...with no shame at all. Promise? You have to tell all of them.
Come here. Where have you been? Look at everything. Where's our bride?
She's almost done.
What do you mean she's almost done. Just look at our boy.
...Please look at him. He's not stopped staring at the door, can't keep it in his pants.
Homi.
Listen.
I was thinking...
Pipsy, I know the bridesmaid and the best man usually get together...
...but at least let the wedding get over.
Mr. Bhabha, get a hold of yourself.
Look at our boy.
Never seen him smile this much.
Vikram!
Where's our bride?
I don't know.
Pipsy. She's gone.
- She ran away.. - What rubbish.
Thank you.
There he is.
Homi. Homi...
...I would like you to meet someone.
Let me introduce you to IISc's new professor.
Meaning my replacement.
Homi.
Hi, I'm Vishvesh Mathur.
Sit, sit...
- Hi. - This is Homi.
Just relax.
Go ahead.
Actually, CV Raman's all praises for you.
In fact, my entire interview was spent talking about you.
Ohh...
Tell me more.
Well, your Millikan experiment, for a start.
I think it's a remarkable achievement.
You're the first man in the country to do that.
Ohh...that was nothing.
I see...
He didn't let us go home for six months.
From dawn to dusk, it was only about Millikan...
Don't listen to him, Mathur.
May I call you Mathur?
Yes, please.
He's a bit delusional... after getting married.
Yes.
- Congratulations. - Don't congratulate insanity.
Okay.
You tell me...where did you study from?
I did my Doctorate from the London University College.
Ohh...London University College.
That's the one you go to if you can't get into Cambridge, right?
Don't say that, Homi. It's a very good college.
It ranks fifth in arts and humanities.
Fifth...
But I didn't know they offered science courses?
- Do they? - Yeah, they do.
And it was the only university that offered actual scientific courses.
Not the ones that just look good on your resume.
Like Cambridge.
So which actual course did you do?
Mathur has done a Doctorate in Colloid Chemistry.
In fact, London University College offered a tenure for him...
...at such a young age.
Why didn't you take it?
As the saying goes...
...ice is destined to melt in its own water.
Art school.
By the way, people like us have no place in London.
You'll find more Awadh in me than Bloomsbury.
We'll find our destination, even if we've to wander.
Misled are those who never stepped out.
Amazing!
Finally, something here I can honestly celebrate.
Welcome to IISc, Mathur.
- Cheers! - Cheers!
Even I'll have a glass of red wine on this occasion.
I don't mind an occasional glass.
He's an alcoholic.
You always give me a bad name, Homi.
Congratulations, Vikram.
Thanks for doing this.
Listen, Homi.
You also get married.
I agree with my Greek friend Socrates.
By all means marry.
If you get a good wife, you'll become happy.
And if you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher.
And I seek neither happiness nor philosophy.
Vikram Sarabhai.
Stop getting drunk and get inside.
This is your wedding.
- This is not my drink, it's Homi's. - Alcoholic.
I don't even touch alcohol.
You...pink suit.
You're needed inside too.
It's time to dance.
- Hello. -'Homi.'
Ma?
'Homi, my son, you got the grant.'
What are you saying?
'Yes. You got it.'
Honestly?
'Yes, my son. You got the grant.'
That's great news, ma.
- Does daddy know? - 'No, no...Should I...'
No, no, no, no, don't tell him yet.
Ma, give the phone to Choksi.
'Okay. One second.'
I got it!
What? You got it!
- 'Hello.' - Yes, uncle Choksi.
- 'Many congratulations.' - Thank you.
Thank you for all your help.
'No, not at all.'
Uncle Choksi, I need one more favour.
- 'Yeah, tell me.' - I need to find someone.
'Okay. We'll do it.'
I'm coming to Bombay tomorrow. we'll discuss it then.
- 'Okay. We're partying without you here.' - Okay, see you tomorrow.
- 'See you.' - Have a drink for me.
'Will do, cheers.'
Dr. Raza, I am calling from Bombay House.
I regret to inform you that your proposal to start a cyclotron facility in Bombay,
has been deferred to next year.
Wish you the very best, sir.
Hello?
It was all of a sudden.
I thought we'll get married first and then come home.
So, son...
...you two work together?
No no, I am a classical dancer, sir.
I've been practicing Bharatnatyam since childhood.
I...
Brother did mention it in his letter.
Right, mother?
Papa...
Bangalore to Bombay, Bombay to Ahmedabad...
...even the train was running late.
Let's talk over breakfast comfortably.
Yes...
Take daughter-in-law to your room.
Come, sister-in-law.
I'll show you brother's... I mean your room.
Papa...
I know I should've talked to you first.
I thought this is the right time.
Had I waited longer...
It's late, Vikram. Everyone's tired.
Get some rest.
Mr. Pavri.
Yes.
I need a favour.
You didn't tell your parents anything about me or about my dance, right?
I did, Mrinalini, I told them everything.
I think they have a problem with our hasty decision and not our marriage.
Perhaps they are worried about me.
But as they get to know you...
...spend time with you...
...they will realise what I saw in you.
They will begin to like you.
Trust me.
Come on now, it's pretty late.
Let's sleep.
Jehangir.