"Often the best minds tend to lose objectivity in their pursuit of excellence."
We often glorify our freedom fighters, our armed personnel, historical monarchs. We are literally obsessed with our sports stars, our movie stars. We talk about our politicians, leaders. And there are lots of movies and web series on them. But, when it comes to "the best minds" who have pioneered our country's development in the field of science, our film industries really lack on-screen portrayals. However, thanks to the rising dominance of the OTT platforms that we've now found at least one.
"Rocket Boys" on Sony Liv is not only a mere historical period-drama with a high proportion of knowledge and enriched with content but also is a fitting tribute to some of the ignited minds of our beautiful country like CV Raman, Homi Jehangir Bhabha, Vikram Sarabhai, Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar, and last but not the least APJ Abdul Kalam who gave their whole lives to our nation-building through their sole favourite field of science. The day I've watched the trailer, I've decided to have a go at this series. And after finishing all 8 episodes, I can say that it didn't disappoint me. The story focuses on the lives of mainly Dr. Homi J. Bhabha and Dr. Vikram Sarabhai and their efforts to strengthen India's first Nuclear Programme and India's first space programme. Expectedly, there are many moments of goosebumps and some "tears of joy" moments as well. Especially, the hosting of the flag at the climax of the 1st episode, the first entry of the teenage APJ Abdul Kalam at the end of the 4th episode, and the speech of Dr. Sarabhai at his cotton mill in Ahmedabad were enough to get that extra emotional spark in my mind and body as a proud Indian. And that moment where Dr. Bhabha had finally launched India's first nuclear reactor 'Apsara' was no less than a moment of high adrenaline rush. The moment of launching India's first rocket and the satisfying faces of Dr. Sarabhai, Dr. Kalam, and Dr. Bhabha made my eyes moist in pride and joy as a countryman. Yes...There was a bit of melodrama. But it was necessary and certainly not stretched at all. Because it is not only about science but also about the friendship, romance, commitment, and overall lives of both of them.
Coming to the technicalities, I can say that "Kal Ho Naa Ho" and "D-Day" famed director Nikkhil Advani gave his best so far. He has found a team that really worked hard in research to make the script with so much information and almost negligible error. Dibyendu Bhattacharya as Raza Mehdi, Arjun Radhakrishnan as Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam did great. Ishwak Singh sparked and literally looked perfect as Dr. Vikram Sarabhai. Rajit Kapoor was not only looking, rather sounding like Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru with unique voice modulation. Other actors and actresses were just fitting to their roles.
There should be a special paragraph for Jim Sarbh whenever anyone would discuss this series. I think he has immortalized the "Father of India's Nuclear Programme" on-screen forever. Jim sparked in every cameo and supporting role before but now he has delivered his best shot so far in a leading role as Dr. Bhabha. He was just outstanding and surely the heart of the show.
Editing could've been slightly better but that's alright. The background score and the cinematography were very appealing to the audience.
Overall, it is a fantastic experience not just as an Indian or a cinema/series fanatic, or a science admirer or a history lover but as a combined of all. Kudos to the entire cast and crew members of the series. Along with the Indian series like "Scam 1992", "The Family Man", "Panchayat" etc., it will be right up there at the top branch for sure with a "MUST WATCH" tag!
❤🙏😊
"Rocket Boys" on Sony Liv is not only a mere historical period-drama with a high proportion of knowledge and enriched with content but also is a fitting tribute to some of the ignited minds of our beautiful country like CV Raman, Homi Jehangir Bhabha, Vikram Sarabhai, Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar, and last but not the least APJ Abdul Kalam who gave their whole lives to our nation-building through their sole favourite field of science. The day I've watched the trailer, I've decided to have a go at this series. And after finishing all 8 episodes, I can say that it didn't disappoint me. The story focuses on the lives of mainly Dr. Homi J. Bhabha and Dr. Vikram Sarabhai and their efforts to strengthen India's first Nuclear Programme and India's first space programme. Expectedly, there are many moments of goosebumps and some "tears of joy" moments as well. Especially, the hosting of the flag at the climax of the 1st episode, the first entry of the teenage APJ Abdul Kalam at the end of the 4th episode, and the speech of Dr. Sarabhai at his cotton mill in Ahmedabad were enough to get that extra emotional spark in my mind and body as a proud Indian. And that moment where Dr. Bhabha had finally launched India's first nuclear reactor 'Apsara' was no less than a moment of high adrenaline rush. The moment of launching India's first rocket and the satisfying faces of Dr. Sarabhai, Dr. Kalam, and Dr. Bhabha made my eyes moist in pride and joy as a countryman. Yes...There was a bit of melodrama. But it was necessary and certainly not stretched at all. Because it is not only about science but also about the friendship, romance, commitment, and overall lives of both of them.
Coming to the technicalities, I can say that "Kal Ho Naa Ho" and "D-Day" famed director Nikkhil Advani gave his best so far. He has found a team that really worked hard in research to make the script with so much information and almost negligible error. Dibyendu Bhattacharya as Raza Mehdi, Arjun Radhakrishnan as Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam did great. Ishwak Singh sparked and literally looked perfect as Dr. Vikram Sarabhai. Rajit Kapoor was not only looking, rather sounding like Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru with unique voice modulation. Other actors and actresses were just fitting to their roles.
There should be a special paragraph for Jim Sarbh whenever anyone would discuss this series. I think he has immortalized the "Father of India's Nuclear Programme" on-screen forever. Jim sparked in every cameo and supporting role before but now he has delivered his best shot so far in a leading role as Dr. Bhabha. He was just outstanding and surely the heart of the show.
Editing could've been slightly better but that's alright. The background score and the cinematography were very appealing to the audience.
Overall, it is a fantastic experience not just as an Indian or a cinema/series fanatic, or a science admirer or a history lover but as a combined of all. Kudos to the entire cast and crew members of the series. Along with the Indian series like "Scam 1992", "The Family Man", "Panchayat" etc., it will be right up there at the top branch for sure with a "MUST WATCH" tag!
❤🙏😊