Breaking Free from Bollywood’s Patriotism Overload: 2 Must-Watch Shows That Redefine Thrill
Bollywood’s chest-thumping deshbhakti formula is starting to feel like a stuck record — over-the-top dialogues, impossible action, and the same old tropes. If you’re craving something fresh, smart, and gripping, we’ve got the perfect antidote.
This weekend, swap the flag-waving melodrama for these two edge-of-the-seat, power-packed shows that will keep you hooked from start to finish.
1. Saare Jahan Se Accha
Platform – Netflix
Episodes – 6
Don’t go by the name of the show! I know, it sounds dramatic and same old, but trust me, Never Judge a Book by Its Cover! You will be thoroughly engaged with this.
What’s it About?
Saare Jahan Se Accha is based on the foundation years of R&AW (Research and Analysis Wing). It focuses on how RN Kao, the founder of R&AW with his spies operated from the shadows without having a huge budget or technologies. It shows how a newly formed Intelligence Agency goes on to prevent Pakistan from making a nuclear weapon.
What’s Good?
After a very long time, Netflix India has actually come up with a show that feels like it’s made with care. Performances heavily drive the show, and it is frontlined by Pratik Gandhi of Scam 1992 fame, who plays the character of Vishnu Shankar. Sunny Hinduja from Aspirants plays the role of Murtaza, the Pakistani counterpart. Rajat Kapoor plays the role of RN Kao along with supporting casts like Tilottama Shome and Kritika Kamra.
The show has a fast and pacey format; it comes to the point directly without going here and there. The characters are shown here as humans and not like the superheroes in the Spy Universe! There’s no unnecessary love track too. The show has a stylised yet realistic look. It has been shot in real locations, the scene transition from one location to another feels just like a Hollywood film. The bond formed between Indians living in disguise in Pakistan is treated very humanely.
What works best is that the enemy is also treated as human beings without the usual portrayal of absolute villains! They also have a heart, but they are bound by their duty to the nation. Some dialogues are sleek and good without being cheesy.
What Doesn’t Work?
Saare Jahan Se Accha is a limited series with just 6 episodes, each having a length of around 45 minutes approx. It will never bore you and keeps you hooked throughout. But despite all of these, the climax feels a little too Bollywoodish! There remain some questions unanswered. This show is not entirely made on facts, but if it were, then this would have been pitch-perfect.
Final Words
Despite its Bollywood climax, you will thoroughly enjoy it, and I bet that you will even consider finishing it in a single sitting. Give it a try and let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
2. The Hunt - The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case
Platform – Sony Liv
Episodes – 7
Have you ever watched Narcos and wondered what if we had a show like this based on India? Well, we may have it now! Sony Liv has been quietly creating various underrated gems, and it did the same again with The Hunt – The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case.
What’s it About?
The show follows the investigation done by CBI’s special investigation team for the Rajeev Ganshi assassination case. Directed by Nagesh Kukunoor, this show follows a documentary-type format without being biased to the government and tries to produce the facts as it is.
What’s Good?
The Hunt – The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case also follows a pacey edge-of-the-seat format without being overly dramatic. It is flat on the face, sleek, fast, and well researched. It stars Amit Sial in the titular role along with lesser-known actors like Bagavathi Perumal, Sahil Vaid, Shafeeq Mustafa, and others.
The show begins right from the night of the assassination and continues for the next 90 days of the investigation journey. As you may be aware, the figure of Rajeev Gandhi was controversial due to his involvement in the Sri Lankan civil war with his IPKF. The show makes it clear that they do not wholeheartedly support Gandhi’s action, but they also do not stand with terrorism. There are some graphic scenes that are meant to make you uncomfortable and feel the impact.
The lesser-known actors did a really great job with their performance. What actually makes this show great is that it’s not entirely in Hindi and has significant parts in Tamil, as well as the story is of Tamil Nadu. This makes it look more authentic. The characters are shown as human and not overcharged with patriotism. It has zero melodrama and clutter, making it highly engaging and binge-worthy.
What Doesn’t Work?
The Hunt – The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case has nothing negative in it, actually. But the climax may feel a little disappointing, but it is what it is. You need to consider that this show is based on a real incident, and you cannot expect a picture-perfect, filmy ending to this, right?
Final Words
There’s nothing that should stop you from watching it. If you love true-crime thrillers like Narcos or Making a Murderer, this is your next obsession.
If you’re exhausted by the endless loop of Bollywood’s “Bharat Mata ki Jai” cinema, give these two shows a shot. Both are sharp, stylish, and fearless — proof that Indian streaming can move beyond formula and still keep us glued to our screens.
Already watched them? Drop your thoughts in the comments — let’s debate!
Avik
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