Original subtitles

Our job is more difficult than mining diamonds in a coal mine.

At least a diamond miner knows what they're looking for.

For us, that precious diamond is intel.

Out of thousands of useless pieces of information,

only our instincts can tell us what to look for.

The smallest thing can become a history-changing event.

A letter, an article, or even a radio interview.

Today, we introduce you

to the renowned scientist, Dr Homi Jehangir Bhabha.

In today's program, we will discuss

the nuclear arms race that the US, Russia, and China are engaged in,

and whether India should also jump into it or not.

Dr Bhabha, we have a serious question regarding nuclear energy.

The Indian government wants to keep it limited to energy production,

but you believe we should also consider developing nuclear weapons.

Look,

India has always

prioritized peace and diplomacy,

yet, in the past four years, we have fought two wars.

Pointless wars.

Two thousand eight hundred and sixty-two Indian soldiers have died.

This is not about nuclear race.

This is about self-preservation.

I believe

that as a responsible and vigilant nation,

India too should take steps towards becoming a nuclear power.

If the honourable Prime Minister and the cabinet approve it,

I assure you

that in just 18 months,

we can make India a nuclear power.

Is Taylor in?

He's reading the 'Nam report.

-So you're not gonna do anything? -About what?

Bhabha's been making these claims for years.

These aren't just claims.

Dr Homi Bhabha's been nominated for the Nobel Prize twice.

How many did he win?

Oppenheimer didn't win either.

James, do you know what it takes for a country to build a nuclear bomb?

Tech and understanding of nuclear science.

The will.

The will to cross that moral line.

India doesn't have that.

China has conducted 45 nuclear tests in the past two years.

India does have the will to cross the line, Taylor.

We have to send a message to the world.

Otherwise, within the next 20 years,

every tin-pot dictator is gonna find the will

to put a nuclear weapon in their own fucking backyard.

This is high profile intel from our undercover agent, April Frost.

I need you to take me seriously.

All I need is two agents,

top-level equipment,

and a cover.

April.

Technically, she works at the US Embassy, but she's an undercover CIA operative.

Something is definitely brewing between the CIA and her.

The process of extracting information is seldom legal or moral.

It's just necessary.

Knowing the opponent's next move before they make it

determines our country's victory or defeat.

I was shooting in the dark,

but my instincts kept telling me

that there was something here,

and we needed to find out what as soon as possible.

Sir, James Crowley.

CIA. Clandestine Operations.

He works on the South Asian desk,

but recently, he's been spotted multiple times in the Middle East.

-What is he doing in Lebanon? -We're trying to find out, sir.

This can't be traced back to us.

"Mushroom Rabbit to be served in Vienna on 24th January."

Mushroom Rabbit?

Get his flight details. Immediately!

Sir, these are Dr Bhabha's travel details.

Delhi, Beirut, Geneva, and London.

This Crowley's photograph was clicked in Beirut, right?

Yes, sir.

April's message to the CIA…

April gave the CIA Dr Bhabha's travel details.

That means that "Mushroom Rabbit" is Dr Bhabha.

Definitely, this Crowley's up to something.

We have to stop Dr Bhabha in Beirut.

His life is in danger.

The sun will rise at 9:02 AM.

Connect me to Beirut. We have permission to stop the flight. Quickly!

Sir, the flight left Beirut 15 minutes ago.

I'll connect to Geneva.

In our work, only one or two out of ten missions are successful.

Even our families never hear about our successes.

But our failures?

Our failures are witnessed by the whole world.

We were just 15 minutes late, and we lost Dr Bhabha.

After his loss, a big question mark loomed over India's entire nuclear program.

For India to fall behind in the nuclear race

was a serious national threat.

So, to establish a permanent spy network in enemy territories,

a new agency was formed under R. N. Kao.

Research and Analysis Wing. R&AW.

An agency that changed not just India,

but also the lives of my entire team and myself forever.

After what happened to Dr Bhabha,

I realized that in espionage, timing is more critical than information itself.

Under R&AW's new leadership,

I established a system to stay connected 24/7

with our field network in prime areas like Pakistan and China.

And then, suddenly,

the East Pakistan crisis ignited the 1971 war.

But this time, we were better prepared.

This time, Pakistan was divided

and India was triumphant.

The Simla Agreement was meant to be a peace treaty.

But no one knew then that it was actually the beginning of an endless war.

The more powerful a man is, the weaker his ego.

A small offense can fuel a lifelong mission for such a person.

Maybe Kao Sir already sensed that after the bitter humiliation of defeat,

Pakistan would do something dangerous out of frustration.

You see this fireworks display, Aziz?

It's not a celebration of their victory

but of our humiliation.

It's time to rejoice, Ram-ji.

We won the war.

On both fronts, military and diplomacy.

Yes, ma'am.

But you still look troubled.

Ma'am, for people like me, war never truly ends.

The end of one war is usually the beginning of another.

War has not ended, Mr Bhutto,

and it must not stop until Pakistan emerges victorious.

Pakistan will never lose another war, Aziz.

Neither on the battlefield nor ideologically.

After 1964,

why has China's influence grown so much?

You mean to say…

Intentions lose their power when revealed.

They're militarily weak.

They cannot defeat us in a direct confrontation.

That is why they'll look for other ways to fight.

What exactly are you suggesting?

In the future, our strength will be such that it won't need to be demonstrated.

A power so undeniable that

even the mere thought of it will strike fear into our enemies.

We need to stop them with whatever it takes, Ram-ji.

Whatever it takes.

But to stop them, we need to know what they will plan next.

And for me, the biggest worry is…

not knowing.

This is…

personal now.

We will not bow. India will.

It's a government job. There's no tension at all.

Just know that our prime minister

doesn't make a single move without consulting Vishnu first.

She asks his advice in all matters.

And do you know who drafted the Simla Agreement?

Why not just say that the boy's a clerk?

We understand that much.

-First time meeting a prospective bride? -No, not the first time.

I mean, when I can't say no to my family anymore, I just go to see them.

And you?

I've met 27 people before you.

Twenty-seven?!

Yes.

Well, then I have a clear picture of what my chances are.

Apart from rejecting men, what other interests do you have?

I have many interests,

but rejecting men is one that has never been fulfilled.

Because every time, the men have rejected me first.

I'm sorry.

What do you do for a living?

I work in the Cabinet Secretariat.

It's a government job. Intelligence work.

That's interesting.

Interesting?

So, let's do one thing.

Let's fulfil your wish to reject a man.

You can go downstairs right now and openly reject me in front of everyone.

Is this a choice or just sympathy?

To be honest, I like you.

But you can reject me if you want.

I'm used to it.

What's happened?

Please move.

-Yes? -You need to come with us.

Who are you people?

We aren't permitted to tell you that.

You have all been woken up and brought here so early

because it's time for Pakistan to wake up.

You are Pakistan's top scientists.

Tell me, how long will it take you to give Pakistan its first atomic bomb?

Pakistan is not in a position financially to spend money on an atomic bomb.

The question is still the same, Bhutto sahib.

Where will the funds come from to turn this atomic dream into a reality?

Munir, seven years ago, I made you a promise.

Don't worry. Our time will come.

The time is now.

Bhutto sahib, doing this will make the whole world watch us.

What happened to Dr Bhabha might happen to us as well.

I cannot deny this possibility.

CIA, KGB, Mossad…

Nobody will want this dream to become a reality.

But for the sake of our dreams

and for your safety,

we have assigned this responsibility to Pakistan's most capable officer,

Murtaza Malik.

His sworn duty is to protect this nation,

and his passion is to wreak destruction upon its enemies.

To gauge his patriotism, just consider this,

while we sit here fearlessly planning our future,

he has already begun to eliminate the traitors hiding within our country.

Take it easy.

Everyone's turn will come.

You will be rewarded for spying on Pakistan.

And it is a given that you're all going to hell.

Obviously, you must be missing home. Right?

Your mission to taint the nation of Pakistan ends here.

Sir!

Sir!

-What's your name? -Abdul Mannan.

Which department?

Hey, you idiot! Stop!

Damn you!

Naveed, catch him!

Catch him! Naveed!

Bloody hell! Catch him!

Catch him! Don't let him go, that motherfucker!

Sir.

What is going on, Rashid?

Sir, we have intel.

A clean-up operation is in progress under Murtaza Sir's orders.

If we may search your office as well…

-Yes, of course. -Okay, sir.

Hold on to that bastard!

I'll give him a feast.

Take him away!

Come on! Move!

Greed or shame.

A person becomes an enemy agent

either to gain something or to hide something.

Brigadier Naushad Ahmed.

A senior respected officer in the Pakistan Army,

and our prime asset.

Because we have something that he wants to hide at any cost.

Sir, CIA, Mossad, KGB…

Many of their agents have been killed.

I'm sure the ISI has been watching them for months.

Sir, frankly, I never thought

that the ISI could conduct a clean-up operation of this scale.

Of course they can.

It's an old organization.

They've been around for 23 years. We've only been around for three.

Their annual budget is also much higher than ours.

And their paperwork must be minimal.

I'm sorry, sir, I'm not complaining.

That's okay.

A clean-up operation of this scale only happens when something…

very big is being planned.

But what?

I'll find out what Bhutto sahib has been occupied with, sir.

Also, ask Naushad to lie low until this matter cools down.

Right, sir.

Bahrain and Yemen have both refused to fund our project.

In our missions, we don't drink special cocktails like James Bond,

nor do we drive expensive sports cars

or use futuristic gadgets.

Sir, you promised us funds.

Without funds, all these preparations, all…

Munir!

Munir, I remember what I promised.

I'm… I'm trying!

This is our final opportunity.

If we can't arrange the funds this time,

this debt will enslave our country.

Then we might really end up eating grass.

Our starting point is always our intuition.

Based on that, we start looking for evidence.

And often, the evidence that leads us to a conclusion

has been in front of us all along.

Sir, according to this Pakistani newspaper,

this picture of Bhutto was taken in Mecca a few days ago.

Okay.

And this same picture was also published in a newspaper six years ago, sir.

Here, sir. Check the date.

Sir, I have consulted my sources.

Bhutto did go to Saudi Arabia.

But Mecca was not his main agenda. It was something else.

This is our report on Munir Khan.

Munir Khan.

-The great nuclear scientist. -Right.

Of late, they have been recalling

Pakistani physicists from all corners of the world.

And they're recruiting them as professors in different universities.

-Okay, sit down, sit down. -Thank you, sir.

Look at this, sir.

I got it checked through all my different sources.

These are the universities where these guys are recruited.

Sir, in all these universities,

nuclear physics, quantum physics, radiation science,

and metallurgy departments have made lots of recruitments.

Previously, these departments were run by two or three people.

Now, there are ten in each.

And take a look at their salary data, sir.

These salaries don't match the normal salary of a professor.

What is your understanding?

Why are they recruiting all these physicists?

Sir, they're definitely not recruiting nuclear physicists

to draft economic policies.

Good job, Vishnu.

I can get you more, sir.

But you'll have to send me into the field.

-Pakistan? -Yes, sir.

We don't even have a high commission there yet.

But you want to go to Pakistan?

I know, sir, but I'm sure we can find a way.

I know Libya was not your first choice.

Why should we help you

when Saudi and Iraq have refused already?

Because I can give you what China refused.

How much money would you need?

Twenty million US dollars, and we…

I get it.

You will need more later.

You'll get your 20 million.

Cheers.

-Thank you. -You are welcome, sir.

Congratulations, Bhutto sahib.

The money will arrive soon.

Murtaza, we must work together

to secure the future of every child in this country.

They shall not live under the threat of war.

God willing, the next generation

will be born in a nuclear-powered nation

and will take pride in calling themselves Pakistanis.

Amen.

Then so be it.

Nice view, Mr Kao.

But I know that you are not here for sightseeing.

Good to see you, Ben.

Please.

Why are we meeting at a public place?

Because public places can be the most private.

I have heard that you have not been publicly photographed to date.

It's a lie, Ben.

I was publicly photographed once,

at my wedding.

I'm sure I missed out on a lot of fun.

Could not give you a gift.

But I have brought something today.

Bhutto is making rounds of the Middle East,

meeting his Arab friends.

He has made several visits to Iran.

ISI has been clearing villages in the middle of the desert.

Two hundred square kilometres.

What does Pakistan need 200 square kilometres of empty land for?

Pakistan is making a nuclear bomb.

I'm surprised this has completely escaped the attention of the Western agencies.

The Americans think that

Bhutto is all talk, no show,

but he seems obsessed with it.

I have two questions that interest me.

How and when will they succeed?

And ours will be the first two countries where they will use it.

Without a doubt.

So then it's up to us to stop them.

Thank you, Ben.

I'll send my best man there.

Kao.

There is a saying in Mossad.

Never send your best man.

Send a man who has the reason

worth dying for it.

-Morning. -Sir.

-Good morning, -Good morning, sir.

Please remain seated.

Congratulations.

New posting.

Islamabad.

Thank you, sir.

The breakfast there will be far better than here.

Vishnu, if there's even the slightest anomaly in your medical report,

I get notified immediately.

It's been about six years since that Dr Bhabha incident.

You're still not sleeping well?

Sir, we were 15 minutes late.

If only those 15 minutes…

"If only." "Maybe."

In our field, these words have no value.

We have to forget the past.

You know Viktor Suvorov?

He was a Russian spy,

but he worked for the Americans.

In Cuba.

-The Cuban Missile Crisis. -That's right.

I've done a lot of research on the subject, sir,

but I've never heard of this Viktor.

No spy worth his salt gets his name in the papers.

But had it not been for Viktor Suvorov,

a nuclear war between two superpowers would have been inevitable.

You have big shoes to fill.

But if you succeed,

like Boris Kuznetsov, aka Viktor Suvorov,

nothing will change for you.

The world still will not know Vishnu Shankar.

For them, you will remain a nameless, faceless entity.

But if you fail, and Pakistan succeeds,

they'll have a nuclear bomb.

And not only will they sell it,

but they'll be incapable of keeping it safe.

Which means that every terrorist organization in the Middle East

will have a nuclear bomb.

Do you know what that means?

Third World War.

No.

The last World War.

They'll all have a bomb…

and India will be left behind.

You cannot fail.

Tell me one thing, sir.

After Dr Bhabha's demise, will the Indian government

never pursue nuclear weapons?

If it does,

it won't be without my knowledge.

Enjoy Islamabad.

We'll stop Pakistan, sir.

I won't give you any reason to complain.

I'm sure.

Anyway, I've heard

that the complaints department is now someone else's responsibility.

Excuse me?

I have heard that

you're looking for a bride?

Sometimes, it feels like

we are all targets and you are the field spy.

My family's pressuring me, so I went along with…

You don't have to explain.

I think it's a good idea.

Get married

and take your wife to Islamabad with you.

It'll be a good cover.

Is this the time to come?

At your service.

Tell me, should I serve you a drink?

Is this how you talk to guests?

Don't grin at me like that.

-Peace be with you. -And you too.

And look at you, so tall and strong, praise God!

Should we get you married too?

Here comes Sufiya. You look gorgeous.

-Congratulations. -Thank you, Naushad bhai.

You're all dressed up and wandering outside like this?

Go inside.

-Okay. -Come along.

So,

did they spill the beans?

Your mission to taint the nation of Pakistan ends here.

Murtaza, isn't that illegal?

When they were already in your custody,

what was the need to kill them?

Mercy is seen as weakness.

Ruthlessness breeds fear.

I will show no mercy to those who betray Pakistan.

I think you should be alert too.

You're close to Bhutto sahib.

You have information that could make you a prime target.

CIA, KGB, Mossad…

And R&AW?

Exactly.

They might try to contact you.

Stay alert.

But you don't worry, Murtaza.

I know how to handle them.

As for Bhutto sahib's dream,

we'll sacrifice our lives to make it a reality.

Of course.

Shall we?

Let's go.

I've got a new posting. It's outside India.

We'll have to settle there.

How nice.

Congratulations.

Where?

You should start packing.

My luggage is still packed.

Please, tell me.

Where have you been posted?

Congratulations on the wedding.

Thank you, sir.

Baby steps in the world of darkness.

It's good to see that you're ready to do whatever is necessary for the job.

Are you afraid?

-No, sir. -You should be.

Fear is good.

It keeps you alert.

What you're about to do will require you to stay alert at all times.

Your operational brief is simple.

Find their nuclear facility and stop them at all costs.

Simple, right?

But to do that,

you will have to defeat Pakistan's top-most intelligence officer

on his own home turf.

Your hands will be tied.

His will be free.

Technically, you are going there to control the situation,

but nothing will be in your control.

Every move they make will be a crisis for you.

They will constantly look for your weaknesses

so that they can strike you where it will hurt the most.

That's why you must always stay one step ahead of them.

Technically, you'll have a diplomatic passport,

but this passport will not mean very much.

Your passport will only provide protection against legal actions,

not illegal ones.

A truck can crush you anytime on the road.

They will shadow you.

They will eavesdrop on you.

They will do everything in their power to break your morale.

And despite all of this,

you must wake up every day and act normally,

as if nothing happened.

Welcome to Pakistan, sir.

Think of it as a cricket match.

One where you are down to the last remaining wicket.

Nine wickets already down.

Facing you is their entire team.

And you, batting at the last wicket,

need to score a century.

And that means

you do not have the luxury of making even the slightest mistake.

The ground is theirs.

The crowd is theirs.

And yet, you are not allowed to lose.

Because your defeat, Vishnu,

will be the country's defeat.

Subtitle translation by: Mohd. Faiz Abrar