BOTTOM LINE
Decent Spy Drama
PLATFORM
NETFLIX
RUNTIME
4 hours (6 Episodes)
What Is the Show About?
Vishnu Shankar can’t come to terms with his inability to prevent nuclear physicist Homi Bhabha’s death. Now married, working under RAW, he’s transferred to Pakistan to stop its emergence as a nuclear power, which could mean doomsday to humankind at large. Torn between his conscience and national duty, Vishnu is relentless, however, paying a heavy price for his choices.
Performances
There’s no better news than Pratik Gandhi getting his due as an actor – even if it’s on OTT more than the big screen. Playing a role modelled on a real-life hero, he doesn’t make a saint out of him, portrays his integrity, while also highlighting his grey areas. Rajat Kapoor, in the shoes of Kao, has it a little too easy; the character is no real test to his mettle.
Tillotama Shome, cast as a wife dealing with an absent husband, deserved a more rounded character. Suhail Nayyar is quite impressive while reflecting Sukhbir’s angst, a man trying to bring his life back on track, escaping his past wounds. Sunny Hinduja’s restrained portrayal helps underline the show’s intent well, without trying to provoke its audience. Anup Soni gets adequate scope to shine, but Kritika Kamra’s part lacks meat.
Analysis
‘One man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter’ is precisely the idea that most spy sagas operate on. The line between right and wrong is blurred; nothing is personal and can obstruct one’s duty. While a spy’s selflessness has been valorised endlessly in films and shows, Netflix’s Saare Jahan Se Accha, timed well for the Independence Day weekend, does more than make a hero out of them.
The show, created by Gaurav Shukla, paints its protagonists in a humane light, discussing the emotional toll the ‘heroics’ could take on their lives. Though the narrative rushes to curb Pakistan’s bid to be a nuclear power, it is more effective in throwing light on the indifference that can come with the job. People kill, people die, people lie, people blackmail, for the bigger goal – duty – but the wounds barely get any time to heal.
It is quite clear that Saare Jahan Se Accha is a much-improved version of the recent release Salakaar, which dealt with the same premise, but made a mockery of itself with its hyper-nationalistic tone. In contrast, this attempt gives the subject the respect it deserves, showcasing a spy at work, but also treating them as ordinary men with families and simple desires who’re not beyond reproach.
As the distance between Vishnu and his wife grows, and the former blames the nature of his profession for it, she confronts him – ‘don’t convince yourself that this is about your duty, it’s something you do for yourself.’ Vishnu uses many questionable tactics to get the job done, threatening to out a gay son of a Pakistani officer, trying to implicate a jailed Indian as a terrorist.
Although the show is critical of Pakistan’s political stance on the issue, it doesn’t reduce its citizens to cold caricatures; they’re imperfect, loyal to their job, just like us. Saare Jahan Se Accha’s starts quite well, showcasing events that led to the emergence of RAW in India, presenting the challenges in Vishnu’s life without idolising him, before going astray and losing its momentum.
The narrative is more effective when it presents a grounded portrait of its characters, reflecting their moral dilemmas, than when dealing with the bigger moments. Towards the end, many subplots are left unattended (perhaps, that’s how a spy operates..a life led without closure). The mission is accomplished, the tale raises a toast to its heroes, though there’s something amiss you can’t point your finger at.
The series goes a little too far in dramatising real incidents for cinematic appeal, more so in the later episodes, which are perhaps a toned-down version of your average espionage thriller screaming ‘patriotic pride.’ (while it promised to be much better than that) While far from perfect and needing more consistency, the show, without doubt, brings a believability to the genre.
Saare Jahan Se Accha starts well, but lacks a clear perspective. It’s an above-average fare, for sure, though the impact could’ve been much better.
Music and Other Departments?
Composer Ketan Sodha’s score lends intimacy and emotional depth to the grounded moments in the show, while also boasting enough sophistication in the larger-than-life sequences. The cinematography (by Jay Patel, Debojeet Ray, Dymtro Nedria) is top-class, helped by the detailing in the production design and costumes, recreating another era with panache. The action sequences required more urgency and imagination. The writing is good in parts, the characters are well-etched, but the show loses its direction after a point.
Highlights?
Good detailing, recreation of another era
Strong performances
Starts well, remains reasonably engaging
Drawbacks?
Fails to capitalise on the good beginning
Perspective gets diluted towards the end
Subplots treated shabbily
Did I Enjoy It?
It’s a decent watch, even if it feels familiar.
Will You Recommend It?
Yes, but keep your expectations in check
Saare Jahan Se Accha OTT Series Review by M9
