Made In India: A Titan Story Review – A Brilliant, Inspiring Business Drama
From the moment the first teaser dropped, Made In India: A Titan Story was on my watchlist. The combination of Naseeruddin Shah as JRD Tata, Jim Sarbh as Xerxes Desai, and the story of Titan was simply too tempting to ignore.
For most Indians, Titan is more than a watch brand. It’s a part of family history. A Titan watch has marked school results, job milestones, engagements, weddings, and countless personal celebrations. Yet very few people know how this iconic brand actually came into existence.
The series arrived quietly on Amazon MX Player, and after watching it, I can confidently say: some of the best shows don’t arrive with loud marketing campaigns. They simply arrive and leave an impact.
What’s It About?
Set in the late 1970s, the story follows Xerxes Desai, who the Tata Group brings back to revive a struggling subsidiary. But Desai soon realizes that merely fixing the existing business won’t be enough. His radical idea is to build something entirely new: India’s first premium watch brand.
What follows is the story of vision, risk-taking, innovation, and the birth of a brand that would eventually become a household name across the country.
I am diving right into the review now.
What Works?
Casting and Performances
This is where the series truly shines.
Naseeruddin Shah brings extraordinary grace and authority to the role of JRD Tata. Even at 75, he delivers a performance that feels effortless and deeply authentic. Every scene featuring him carries weight.
Jim Sarbh is equally impressive. Over the years, he has grown into one of the most reliable actors of his generation, and his portrayal of Xerxes Desai is nuanced and compelling. From his body language to his dialogue delivery, he makes Desai feel like a real, driven visionary rather than a dramatized biopic character.
The supporting cast deserves praise as well. Kaveri Seth, Lakshvir Saran, Vaibhav Tatwawadi, and Paresh Ganatra all contribute strong performances that help make the world of the series feel believable.
A Fascinating Subject
Based on the book TITAN: Inside India’s Most Successful Consumer Brand by Vinay Kamath, the series explores a story that Indian cinema and television rarely touch.
We have countless films about gangsters, politicians, and sports stars. But stories about Indian businesses, entrepreneurs, and industrial visionaries remain surprisingly uncommon. That makes Made In India: A Titan Story feel fresh and important.
The show manages to inspire without becoming preachy. It celebrates ambition, experimentation, and long-term thinking while acknowledging the challenges behind building a successful brand.
The Little Details
Some of the most enjoyable moments are the small ones.
The series understands that Titan isn’t just selling watches; it’s selling memories. It captures how watches became gifts during major life events, how they were passed between generations, and how the brand slowly built emotional value.
I especially loved the moments exploring the origin of the iconic Titan tune based on Mozart’s Symphony No. 25. These details make the series feel rich and affectionate toward the brand’s history.
No Unnecessary Melodrama
My biggest concern before watching the show was that it might turn a business story into a melodramatic soap opera.
Thankfully, director Robbie Grewal avoids that trap. The series takes creative liberties, but it never feels manipulative. The drama comes from decisions, risks, and relationships rather than exaggerated emotional scenes.
That restraint is one of the show’s greatest strengths.
Attention to Detail
The writing pays careful attention to the philosophies that drove Titan’s growth.
Xerxes Desai’s belief in “freedom to fail” is woven throughout the narrative and becomes a key driver of innovation. Meanwhile, JRD Tata is portrayed not as a flashy hero but as a quiet enabler — someone who trusts capable people and steps in when guidance is needed.
These subtleties elevate the series beyond a standard corporate success story.
What Didn't Work?
Lack of Memorable Dialogues
The series is intelligent and understated, but I still wished for a few sharper, more memorable lines.
Given the scale of the story and the talent involved, a handful of quotable dialogues could have helped the show reach a wider audience through clips and social media.
The Background Score
The music works, but it doesn’t linger in the memory.
Considering the emotional connection audiences have with Titan’s iconic tune, I expected the score to make stronger use of that musical identity. Instead, the background music remains pleasant but somewhat generic.
Final Verdict
Made In India: A Titan Story is a rare Indian business drama that is both informative and genuinely entertaining. It avoids sensationalism, trusts its audience, and tells a compelling story about vision, innovation, and perseverance.
Anchored by excellent performances from Naseeruddin Shah and Jim Sarbh, the series offers a fascinating look at how one of India’s most beloved brands was built.
If you love Titan, admire the Tata legacy, enjoy stories about entrepreneurs, or simply want a well-made, feel-good series, this is an easy recommendation.
Rating:
What do you think about this film? Do let us know in the comments below.
Avik
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