'Saare Jahan Se Accha' Review: A Smart Yet Uneven Espionage Saga That is Mostly Watchable

Saare Jahan Se Accha

Cast: Pratik Gandhi, Sunny Hinduja, Rajat Kapoor, Kritika Kamra, Tillotama Shome, Suhail Nayyar, Kunal Thakur & more

Created by: Gaurav Shukla

Directed by: Sumit Purohit

Now streaming on Netflix

Rating - *** (3/5)

Whenever a film or series steps into the explosive territory of nuclear warfare, especially one involving the creation of a bomb that could ignite a war between nations, the filmmaking challenges multiply. The makers must carefully navigate tonality, ensuring it feels patriotic without descending into chest-thumping jingoism. They must balance the technicalities and jargon so that the audience can grasp them without feeling overwhelmed. There are a gazillion elements to handle and often very little room for error.

That is exactly the terrain that Gaurav Shukla as creator and writer, Sumit Purohit as director, and Bhavesh Mandalia as writer have stepped into with Netflix’s latest espionage thriller Saare Jahan Se Accha. Backed by a stellar ensemble cast, the show dives into the high-stakes world where a team of resilient Indian spies is tasked with derailing Pakistan’s plans to develop a nuclear weapon. Inspired by true events, it promises intrigue, suspense, and history-changing moments. But the question is, does it fully deliver on that premise? Let us break it down.

The Setup: When History Changes in Seconds

The story wastes no time pulling viewers into the build-up leading to a crucial turning point. We begin with Dr. Homi Bhabha making a bold statement during a radio interview, claiming that if the Prime Minister of India grants approval, he can make India a nuclear power in just eighteen months. This declaration rattles capitals across the globe, sparking alarm in places like Los Angeles and Lebanon, and triggering a covert plan to ensure India never achieves nuclear status.

When intelligence about this plot arrives fifteen minutes too late, officer Vishnu Shankar, played by Pratik Gandhi, is left grappling with guilt. The situation escalates further with the arrival of R. N. Kao, portrayed by Rajat Kapoor, who sets up a permanent spy network in enemy territory through the newly formed R&AW. This move not only alters the course of the nation’s intelligence history but changes countless lives in the process.

A Strategic Chess Game Between Rivals

What follows is a gripping narrative that plays out like a strategic chess match between India and Pakistan. Pakistan moves swiftly, making careful and calculated progress toward building its own nuclear bomb. They secure bases, gather finances, and protect their plans with meticulous secrecy. Meanwhile, India counters every step with subtle yet dangerous manoeuvres, never entirely direct but always strategic.

This back-and-forth fuels the tension of the six-episode run, making each move feel critical and unpredictable. The stakes are constantly raised, and the show captures the delicate interplay between diplomacy, espionage, and brinkmanship that shaped the geopolitical landscape of the subcontinent and beyond.

Casting That Feels Like a Masterstroke

One of the most compelling strengths of Saare Jahan Se Accha lies in its casting. The decision to bring together a line-up of exceptional actors pays off instantly. Pratik Gandhi, ever reliable and endlessly watchable, delivers a subdued yet deeply impactful performance as Vishnu Shankar. He anchors the series with quiet authority, embodying the calm, methodical precision of a spy while carrying the emotional weight of his choices.

Sunny Hinduja as Murtuza Malik of Pakistan brings a layered presence to a role that could have easily fallen into caricature. His accent and mannerisms remain authentic without tipping into stereotype, allowing for moments where the audience feels a surprising empathy for him. This balance elevates the portrayal and makes the rivalry far more nuanced.

Tilottama Shome: A Puzzling Missed Opportunity

Then comes Tilottama Shome, an actor whose work over recent years has earned her a place in the hearts of audiences both within and outside the industry’s inner circles. Her presence in a series with such a formidable cast should have been thrilling. Unfortunately, her role here feels underwhelming and oddly incomplete.

As Vishnu Shankar’s wife, her arc is predictable and understandable but ends up lacking depth. While Shome brings her natural gravitas to the part, the writing leaves her with limited room to manoeuvre. The character is not insignificant in the broader narrative, but one cannot help wondering why an actor of her calibre was given a role that feels so half-formed.

Suhail Nayyar: A Standout Performance

On the other side of the spectrum is Suhail Nayyar, an actor who deserves far more recognition than he currently enjoys. As Sukhbir, also known as Rafiq, Nayyar delivers perhaps his finest performance to date. His arc is the most compelling in the series, offering moments of humour, empathy, and heartbreak in equal measure.

He draws viewers in immediately, creating a genuine connection that makes his emotional beats land with impact. By the time his journey reaches its conclusion, the audience is fully invested, and his portrayal lingers long after the credits roll. It is the kind of performance that elevates an entire series.

A Screenplay That Is Taut Yet Uneven

The series leans heavily on its cast, and while the performances are uniformly strong, the material itself is not without flaws. The screenplay is sleek, taut, and often keeps you on the edge of your seat, yet there are stretches where the narrative loses its momentum. The third and fourth episodes in particular risk becoming tedious, resembling the slow march of a detailed historical account rather than a sharply paced spy thriller.

Thankfully, the final two episodes recover the urgency that the premise demands. The climax delivers the heart-thumping intensity that had been missing in the middle stretch, ensuring the series ends on a note of heightened tension and resolution.

Nuanced in Tone, True to Its Period

One of the most commendable aspects of Saare Jahan Se Accha is its tonal restraint. It never veers into overt nationalism or hostility towards any nation. Instead, it situates itself firmly in the period it depicts, a time when Indo-Pak tensions were undeniably high but not as volatile as they are today.

The ease with which spies could once operate across the border, travelling into Pakistan for covert missions, almost feels surreal in the current context. This grounding in a specific historical moment adds authenticity while also providing a fascinating contrast to the present-day geopolitical climate.

A Mixed Bag With Moments of Brilliance

Saare Jahan Se Accha is an espionage drama that succeeds in many areas but falls short of being a complete knockout. Its strengths lie in its casting, its nuanced portrayal of historical events, and its moments of high-stakes tension. Its weaknesses come from occasional narrative sluggishness and the underutilisation of certain characters.

For viewers who enjoy the intricate game of spycraft, layered performances, and a historical lens on one of the subcontinent’s most pivotal eras, the series offers plenty to appreciate. It may not maintain peak intensity throughout, but it delivers enough intrigue to keep you engaged and enough drama to leave you satisfied.

Final Verdict

Netflix’s Saare Jahan Se Accha is a mostly entertaining and often intriguing watch that blends history, espionage, and human drama into a complex narrative. It can be overly intricate and occasionally banal, yet when it works, it truly works. Strong performances, especially from Pratik Gandhi, Sunny Hinduja, and Suhail Nayyar, anchor the series and ensure it remains compelling even when the pacing falters.

It is a chessboard of strategy and deception played out on an international stage, and while not every move is flawless, the game itself is worth watching. For audiences seeking a spy thriller with substance and historical resonance, this is a worthy addition to their watchlist.