The Waking of a Nation Series Review: Ram Madhvani revisits the Jallianwala Bagh massacre with factual depth and visual restraint but stumbles with a sluggish pace and uneven writing. Read the full breakdown of this Sony LIV historical drama.
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The Waking of a Nation Series Review: A Thoughtful Historical Drama That Struggles with Its Structure
Streaming on: Sony LIV
Created and Directed by: Ram Madhvani
Cast: Taaruk Raina, Nikita Dutta, Sahil Mehta, Bhawsheel Singh Sahni
Rating: ⭐⭐½ (2.5/5)
Introduction: When Cinema Meets History
Bringing historical tragedies to screen is no easy task. With The Waking of a Nation, filmmaker Ram Madhvani tries to balance historical accuracy with narrative engagement by revisiting the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, one of colonial India’s darkest moments. The result is a series that is academically rich and visually restrained, but marred by structural inconsistency and overwrought dialogue.
Plot Summary: History Through a Legal Lens
The series centers around Kantilal Sahni (played by Taaruk Raina), a British-educated lawyer who returns to an India reeling from the oppressive Rowlatt Act. Initially a believer in the colonial system, Sahni’s worldview begins to crack as he joins a commission to investigate the Jallianwala Bagh killings.
Told through multiple timelines—before, during, and after the massacre—the series attempts to unravel the buildup to the tragic event, what caused it, and what followed, all through a blend of fictional storytelling and historical facts.
Strengths: A Unique and Intelligent Approach
🎥 Visually Grounded Realism
Madhvani avoids dramatic recreations or CGI-heavy sequences. Instead, he uses real locations and muted cinematography that echoes the archival footage interspersed throughout the episodes. This choice grounds the story in a time and space that feels authentic without being overly theatrical.
🧠 Facts Over Flair
Unlike previous portrayals like Rang De Basanti or Sardar Udham, The Waking of a Nation avoids visceral gore. It focuses instead on the systems, psychology, and political motives behind the massacre, humanizing even the British characters without ever justifying their actions.
🎭 Strong Performances
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Taaruk Raina brings sincerity to Sahni, though weighed down at times by heavy-handed monologues.
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Nikita Dutta delivers a standout performance in a courtroom sequence that captures grief without melodrama.
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The supporting cast lends believability to this layered world, especially Geetanjali Kulkarni and Bhawsheel Singh Sahni in their brief but impactful roles.
Weaknesses: When Storytelling Trips Over Its Own Feet
⏱️ Pacing and Structure
While the intention behind the show is noble, its execution falters. The first episode struggles with disjointed timelines. The constant shift between courtroom scenes and flashbacks interrupts narrative flow and dilutes emotional intensity.
🧾 Overused Metaphors & Repetition
Dialogues frequently circle back to metaphors like “pawn” and “ringmaster” to describe General Dyer and Governor O’Dwyer. Initially sharp, these references become repetitive and even patronizing over time.
🧩 Too Much, Too Soon
There’s a rush to include everything—from political conspiracies and courtroom drama to personal struggles and ethical debates. The series sacrifices pacing for completeness, stretching a potent 3-hour story across six tiring episodes.
Final Word: A Well-Meaning Series in Need of Sharper Editing
The Waking of a Nation aims high and touches several powerful themes—colonial cruelty, internalized oppression, and historical truth—but ultimately loses its grip on audience engagement due to structural fatigue.
If you’re a history enthusiast or someone who enjoys fact-driven drama, there’s much to appreciate here. But for most viewers, the uneven storytelling and narrative overload may prove too demanding.
Pros:
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Unique and grounded depiction of colonial India
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Strong performances, especially from Nikita Dutta
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Intelligent themes and factual depth
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Restraint in depicting violence
Cons:
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Choppy editing and overuse of flashbacks
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Repetitive and heavy-handed dialogue
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Emotionally distant at times due to courtroom structure
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Loses focus in latter episodes
⭐ Final Rating: 2.5/5
A noble, informative watch with moments of brilliance—but weighed down by its overambitious structure and lack of emotional momentum.
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