⭐ Rating: 2.5/5
🎭 Genre: Drama | Thriller | Historical
📺 Streaming on: Sony LIV
📅 Release Date: February 17, 2025
📌 Episodes: 6
🎬 Director: Ram Madhvani
👥 Cast: Taaruk Raina, Sahil Mehta, Nikita Dutta, Bhawsheel Singh
The Waking of a Nation: Story Overview
Set against the backdrop of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, The Waking of a Nation takes a courtroom drama approach to revisit this dark chapter in Indian history. The series follows Kantilal Sahni (Taaruk Raina), a lawyer who gets embroiled in the Hunter Commission trial, where General Dyer is cross-examined for the mass killing of unarmed civilians.
With the help of his childhood friends—Hari Singh Aulakh (Bhawsheel Singh), Ali Allahbaksh (Sahil Mehta), and Poonam (Nikita Dutta)—Kantilal navigates through a web of colonial manipulation, racism, and power struggles. As the commission attempts to rewrite history, will Kantilal and his allies uncover the truth, or will they fall victim to the British Empire’s divide-and-rule tactics?
The Waking of a Nation: Review & Analysis
What Works
✅ Taaruk Raina’s Performance – As Kantilal Sahni, Raina delivers a sincere and compelling performance, portraying the internal conflict of a barrister torn between loyalty and justice. His character’s growth and transformation add depth to the series.
✅ Historical Relevance – The series does well in highlighting British oppression, white supremacy, and racial discrimination, drawing parallels to modern times. The inclusion of Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh protagonists emphasizes India’s diversity and unity.
✅ Production Value & Music – The set design, costumes, and cinematography transport viewers to colonial-era India. The musical score, featuring Raina’s own vocals, adds a layer of authenticity to the storytelling.
What Fails
❌ Repetitive Flashbacks & Filler Content – The show overuses past sequences, making the courtroom drama feel stretched and redundant. Instead of building tension, it dilutes the impact of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.
❌ Underdeveloped Supporting Characters – While Sahil Mehta, Bhawsheel Singh, and Nikita Dutta play key roles, their arcs lack depth. Their ideological conflicts could have been explored more to strengthen the emotional weight of the story.
❌ Lack of Emotional Impact – Unlike Sardar Udham, which portrayed the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre in a hauntingly powerful way, The Waking of a Nation fails to evoke strong emotions, making crucial moments feel flat rather than chilling.
❌ Missed Opportunity in Storytelling – Ram Madhvani, known for intense thrillers like Neerja and Aarya, loses his grip on the narrative here. The legal-political drama starts strong but loses steam, relying too much on repetitive courtroom debates rather than character-driven conflict.
Final Verdict: Should You Watch The Waking of a Nation?
While The Waking of a Nation attempts to bring a new perspective to a historic event, it struggles to maintain engagement due to dragged-out storytelling and redundant flashbacks. Taaruk Raina’s commendable performance and the show’s historical significance are its strongest points, but weak pacing and lack of emotional depth make it a missed opportunity.
Bottom Line: Watch it only if you’re a history enthusiast—otherwise, this courtroom drama might put you to sleep.
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