Anand Patwardhan directs this documentary exploring the militarisation of his native India since the death of peace activist Mahatma Gandhi.
Since Gandhi's assassination in 1948, the country has joined the global arms race along with their nuclear-armed and politically hostile neighbour Pakistan. Following the country's five nuclear tests in 1998, after which they were declared a fully fledged nuclear state, Patwardhan interviews some of the country's citizens to provide an overview of the cost of nuclear weapons to its population.
To do so, he seeks out those living around the atomic testing sites and witnesses the poverty that some have to endure as part of the sacrifice of being a nuclear superpower and in the name of national pride.
He also examines the widespread government propaganda in place to keep the population on side despite protestations aimed at the country from survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki nuclear atrocities committed by allied forces in WWII.
Extras
Presented in a new digital transfer, approved by the director
Filmed interview with director Anand Patwardhan
A panel discussion and debate about the film – televised on Pakistan TV
Additional scenes as selected by the director
16-page booklet featuring new writings by filmmaker, curator and author Mark Cousins and philosopher, academic and author Akeel Bilgrami
