Plot
In 1960s, after India has endured two conflict within a space of five years, renowned Indian nuclear physicist, Dr. Homi J. Bhabha, makes a public statement advocating India to become a nuclear power. This draws the attention of the CIA, which begins covert operations to sabotage India's nuclear program.
A junior operative in Indian Intelligence Bureau, Vishnu Shankar uncovers the classified details about Bhabha's travel plans having been leaked to American agents, he races to thwart an impending assassination plot. Despite his efforts, Bhabha dies when his flight to Geneva explodes in 1966, effectively stalling India's nuclear program. This event leads to creation of Research & Analysis Wing, India's specialised espionage organisation in enemy territories, headed by R. N. Kao.
In 1972, in the aftermath of the Shimla Agreement, Pakistan's Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto decides to scale up his country's nuclear program. Kao gets this intelligence from his counterpart in Mossad, and sends his intelligence agent, Vishnu Shankar to Islamabad on a covert mission to sabotage Pakistan's nuclear program. Once in Islamabad, Vishnu gets to work in finding out where Pakistan is building its nuclear facilities.
Meanwhile, Murtaza Malik, head of ISI, has taken on the task of cleaning out foreign secret operatives in Pakistan. He is brother-in-law and colleague of brigadier Naushad Ahmed, a high ranking official in the Pakistani Army. Naushad is an informant to R&AW under duress, and supplies the crucial information to Vishnu Shankar that Pakistan is buying nuclear reactors instead of creating them from scratch as previously assumed. Soon after, Naushad is caught and killed by Murtaza.
Naushad's intel changes the focus of Vishnu's mission to tracking down who Pakistan is buying the reactors from. Through his covert operatives, Sukhbir (operating under the false identity of Karachi Stock Trader, Rafiq) and Vikram operating in Paris, he figures out that Pakistan is making secret payments to a French company, HGN, to secure these reactors. Vikram, collaborates with his Mossad counterpart, Maria, and two other R&AW agents in Paris to track and murder the ISI agent in charge overseeing these payments.
In Islamabad, Vishnu seeks to fill the void left by Naushad's death. He recruits Fatima Khan, the Editor of Haqeeqat newspaper who is critical of the ongoing regime and is the niece of Munir Khan, the nuclear physicist leading Pakistan's nuclear mission. With Fatima's intel, Vishnu obtains the time and location of the incoming shipment from France that contains disassembled nuclear reactor, and blows up the ship, losing four Indian agents and several Pakistani soldiers in the process.
The mission to thwart Pakistan's nuclear program was unsuccessful as Pakistan was successful in becoming a nuclear power. The end credits chronicle that India tested its first nuclear weapon shortly afterwards, in 1974, and Pakistan in 1998 - 24 years later.
Reception
Deepa Gahlot of Rediff.com gave 3.5 stars and observed that "The always dependable Pratik Gandhi finds a match in Sunny Hinduja and they are surrounded by a top notch supporting cast." [10] Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express gave 2.5 stars out of 5 and said that "The best thing about the handsomely-mounted show is that it steers clear of vicious jingoism while waving the flag. You wish it didn’t peter off towards the end." [11] Lachmi Deb Roy of Firstpost rated 3.5/5 stars and said that "The show may be wanting in many departments, but it mostly gets everything right and that’s what makes it a must-watch." [12]
Anuj Kumar of The Hindu observed that "Despite strong performances and a powerful premise, the six-episode espionage drama ‘Saare Jahan Se Accha’ feels like a mission that has been compromised." [13] Rashmi Vasudeva of Deccan Herald rated it 3/5 stars and said that "It has got quite the perfectly-timed release. Although far from perfect, it is atmospheric in parts and largely engaging." [14] Sana Farzeen of India Today gave 3.5 stars outof 5 and said that "In the end, 'Saare Jahan Se Accha' works because it's not the story of any James Bond but regular-looking, Indian family men, who believe serving their country is their only duty. It also understands that espionage is not just about pointing guns or indulging in mindless killings." [15]
Rahul Desai of The Hollywood Reporter India commeneted that "The six-episode spy thriller is compromised by its own mixed identity". [16] Shreyanka Mazumdar of News 18 rated 3.5/5 stars and said that "A sharp, edge-of-the-seat political thriller driven by powerhouse performances. You will want to watch it in one go." [17] Aishwarya Vasudevan of OTT Play rated 2.5/5 stars and said that "Saare Jahan Se Accha boasts strong performances by Pratik Gandhi and Sunny Hinduja, but safe execution, predictable plot, & lack of real thrills keep this espionage drama from reaching its potential." [18]
Dhaval Roy of The Times of India gave 3.5 stars out of 5 and commented that "The spy drama is a must-watch for its pulse-pounding tension, taut narrative, and stellar performances that leave a lasting impression." [19] Subhash K Jha of News 24 gave rated it 2/5 stars and said that "Everyone tries to look involved and busy. But the lame execution of the plot fells any lofty aspirations. The lack of funds is visible everywhere: Islamabad looks like Chandni Chowk on a dry day." [20] Nandini Ramnath of Scroll.in observed that "Saare Jahan Se Accha goes into fantasy mode at times to assert RAW’s Mossad-like prowess. The factor of doubt over the human cost of espionage survives the imperative to show Pakistan on the back foot yet again." [21]
