Director: Sumit Purohit
Writers: Bhavesh Mandalia, Gaurav Shukla, Meghna Srivastava, Abhijeet Khuman, Shivam Shankar, Kunal Kushwah, Ishraq Shah
Cast: Pratik Gandhi, Sunny Hinduja, Suhail Nayyar, Tillotama Shome, Kritika Kamra, Rajat Kapoor, Anup Soni
Streaming : Netflix
Rating: 3.5/5
Saare Jahan Se Accha is a spy thriller set in the tense years after the 1971 Indo-Pak war. The story is based on a fictional version of real events, where India discovers that Pakistan is trying to become a nuclear power. To stop this from happening, the Indian intelligence agency R&AW sends one of its top agents, Vishnu Shankar, played by Pratik Gandhi, to Pakistan. He goes undercover as a diplomat and slowly begins to uncover their secret nuclear plans. On the other side is Murtuza, played by Sunny Hinduja, a powerful and sharp ISI officer who is always one step behind the Indian spy. The cat-and-mouse game between these two makes the show highly thrilling.
One of the strongest parts of the show is how real and believable it feels. The setting of the 1970s has been done very well, from the costumes and cars to the political tension of that time. The show does a great job of creating suspense in each episode. You always want to know what will happen next. The makers have also added emotional depth to the characters, especially the main villain, who is not shown as just an evil man, but someone with emotions, beliefs, and his own reasons.
Pratik Gandhi plays his role with great skill. His transformation from a quiet desk officer to a smart and bold agent is very impressive. Sunny Hinduja is equally brilliant. He brings calm danger to his role and adds layers to the character of Murtuza. Suhail Nayyar also shines in his role as another Indian spy living in Pakistan for years. He plays a conflicted man who is torn between duty and survival. Tillotama Shome plays Vishnu’s wife and performs well, although her character is not written clearly. Kritika Kamra plays a Pakistani journalist but sadly doesn’t get enough screen time to show her full potential. Rajat Kapoor, as the R&AW chief, is dependable as always and brings experience and weight to the screen. Anup Soni also delivers a solid performance as a Pakistani officer with divided loyalties.
While the show is strong in many areas, it isn’t perfect. The last episode feels a little rushed, and some of the emotional scenes don’t get enough time to leave a lasting impact. Also, the relationship between Vishnu and his wife feels a bit forced and confusing at times. The show mostly stays grounded and serious, but the ending becomes a little too filmy, which slightly breaks the tone.
Despite these minor issues, Saare Jahan Se Accha is an excellent watch. It mixes real history with fictional drama in a way that keeps you hooked. The writing, direction, and performances come together to deliver a series that feels both intelligent and exciting. Unlike many spy dramas that are loud and over-the-top, this one focuses on silence, strategy, and emotion.
In the end, Saare Jahan Se Accha is not just a spy story—it’s about patriotism, sacrifice, and how far someone can go for their country. If you enjoy thrillers with a heart and mind, this one is definitely worth watching.