Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Action thriller

Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran (2018): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran (2018) movie poster

Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran is a 2018 action thriller directed by Abhishek Sharma, starring John Abraham as Capt. Ashwat Rana, Anuja Sathe and Boman Irani. It runs 2 hours 9 minutes and earned $9.9 million worldwide on a $7.4 million budget. Critics gave it 33% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 7.6/10.

IMDb rating
7.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
33%
worldwide gross
$9.9M
Echo Score
57
Loading streaming availability…
Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 9m (129 min)
Director
Abhishek Sharma
Genres
Action , Drama , History , Thriller
Original language
Hindi
Budget
$7.4M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran About?

The premise of Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

In 1998, amidst rising global tensions, India secretly conducted nuclear tests in the Thar Desert. This film recounts the extraordinary and clandestine operation undertaken by a team of scientists, intelligence officers, and the military. Facing immense pressure and potential international repercussions, they race against time to prove India's capabilities and secure its place as a nuclear power. It's a thrilling account of courage, determination, and the high stakes involved in a pivotal moment in Indian history.

Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran Themes & Keywords

· 39 tags
  • army
  • indian army
  • nuclear test
  • nuclear reactor
  • raw
  • india
  • real footage
  • news footage
  • nuclear
  • testing
  • year 1998
  • fight
+27 more
  • gun
  • chase
  • gunfire
  • head dunked in water
  • grabbed from behind
  • running
  • hand to hand combat
  • explosion
  • sandstorm
  • boxing
  • attack
  • satellite
  • conversation
  • husband wife relationship
  • father son relationship
  • rajasthan
  • foot chase
  • action violence
  • breaking a table
  • grabbed by the neck
  • struggle
  • time freeze
  • binoculars
  • stylized violence
  • cia central intelligence agency
  • period drama
  • based on true story
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran Cast & Characters

John Abraham leads the cast as Capt. Ashwat Rana, with Anuja Sathe as Sushma and Boman Irani as Himanshu Shukla. Directed by Abhishek Sharma; 16 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran

· 12 more
From the director

More from Abhishek Sharma

More films directed by Abhishek Sharma, best-rated first: Ram Setu, Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari, The Zoya Factor and Tere Bin Laden Dead or Alive.

Full filmography
Ratings

Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran 33% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 7.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 57/100, strongest in character & emotion (75) and weakest in rewatch factor (40).

57 /100

Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran Echo Score Breakdown

While Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran captures a sense of national pride through authentic reconstruction of historical events, it struggles with uneven pacing and inconsistent performances. Critics often cite a disconnect between the film’s patriotic momentum and its measured direction, while viewers praise its emotional underpinnings yet note moments of sluggish progression and flat dialogue. The blend of factual elements and dramatic flourishes yields a mixed impact. Ultimately, the film delivers a commendable premise but falls short of sustained engagement.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 60

    In terms of art and craft, Parmanu offers striking production design and desert landscapes that evoke the era’s secrecy. The cinematography frequently achieves immersive wide shots during the tests, and the period set pieces demonstrate careful attention to detail. However, some editing choices contribute to uneven scene transitions, and direction occasionally loses narrative momentum. Overall, the film’s visual reconstruction is competent but marred by sporadic lapses in craft execution.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances vary notably among the ensemble. John Abraham and Boman Irani bring a grounded presence, and supporting actors contribute authentic chemistry. At times, lead portrayals feel stiff, and emotional peaks do not consistently resonate, owing to limited character depth. In sum, the cast delivers credible intent but often falls short of sustained emotional engagement.

  • Story & Flow 45

    For story and flow, the narrative hinges on a blend of factual events and dramatization that occasionally feels forced. While the climax injects brief suspense and patriotic resonance, earlier scenes suffer from dilute pacing and predictable beats. Many plot points emerge with limited coherence, reducing overall engagement. In net, the storyline offers moments of intrigue but remains uneven in execution.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    In terms of sensory experience, the film’s visual style during the detonation sequences is immersive, and the score introduces Rajasthani motifs that align with the setting. Soundtrack elements enhance certain scenes, yet high-decibel effects during explosions can feel jarring. Overall, the audio-visual design achieves occasional cohesion but is undermined by inconsistent sound mixing and a largely average musical identity.

  • Rewatch Factor 40

    When evaluating rewatch factor, initial viewings benefit from patriotic themes and historical curiosity. The film’s factual basis and occasional dramatic peaks prompt appreciation on first viewing. However, recurring narrative lulls and uneven character development limit lasting appeal. Many viewers find the story satisfies once but lacks enough fresh nuances for repeated engagement. Consequently, the film’s replay value is modest.

Plot

Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran Plot Summary

What happens in Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The film narrates the gripping historical events surrounding the nuclear tests conducted by the Indian Army in Pokhran, Rajasthan, back in 1998. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1995, India found itself vulnerable, devoid of powerful allies, as Pakistan aligned itself with the US and China. The western powers pressured India into one-sided agreements aimed at undermining its military and economic strength.

Full summary

The whole story of Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran Box Office & Budget

Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran grossed $9.9 million worldwide on a $7.4 million budget, 1.3 times what it cost.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$9.9M

1.3× its budget

International
$9.9M
Budget
$7.4M
Videos

Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran.

Parmanu Official Trailer ||The Story Of Pokhran ||John Abraham, Diana Penty, Boman Irani 2018
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

In what year did the events of the movie take place?

Details

Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran Also Known As

18 alternative titles, including “Parmanu The Story of Pokhran” and “परमाणु: पोखरण की कहानी”.

Also known as
  • Parmanu The Story of Pokhran
  • परमाणु: पोखरण की कहानी
  • Parmanu: Pokhran Hikayesi
  • 核弹英雄
  • 波卡蘭核試爆
  • Atom: Pokhran története
  • Parmanu: A História de Pokhran
  • Парману: История Похрана
  • Parmanu: Povestea Pokhranului
  • بارمانو: امتحان العزيمة
  • Parmanu : l'histoire de Pokhran
  • 波卡蘭核試
+6 more
  • 印度核试验:博克兰基地的故事
  • Ατομική Βόμβα: Η Ιστορία του Πόκραν
  • אטום: הסיפור מאחורי פוקראן
  • ยุทธการปรมาณู ณ โปขรัณ
  • اتم: داستان پوکران
  • পরমাণু: দ্যা স্টোরি অফ পোখরান

Seen Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran?

FAQ

Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran FAQ: Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran?

Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran runs 2 hours 9 minutes (129 minutes).

When was Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran released?

Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran was released on May 25, 2018.

Who directed Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran?

Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran was directed by Abhishek Sharma.

More films by Abhishek Sharma

Who is in the cast of Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran?

Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran stars John Abraham as Capt. Ashwat Rana, Anuja Sathe as Sushma and Boman Irani as Himanshu Shukla, among 16 credited actors.

How much did Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran make at the box office?

Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran grossed $9.9 million worldwide on a budget of $7.4 million.

How is Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran rated?

Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran has 7.6/10 on IMDb, 33% on Rotten Tomatoes, 70% on TMDB and 3.1/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran have a post-credit scene?

No. Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran in?

The original language of Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran is Hindi.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app