When we think of India’s independence, the first elements that come to our minds are the freedom fighters and government officials. This new show, ‘Rocket Boys’ is like a time-travel back into Indian History, portraying how scientists played their part. Created by Nikkhil Advani and produced by Roy Kapur Films, this eight-episode series panned out across two decades, leading to the scientific advancements of India. Screenwriter and debutant director, Abhay Pannu’s ‘Rocket Boys’ is a masterpiece and an enthralling watch.
Jim Sarbh as Homi Bhabha and Ishwak Singh as Vikram Sarabhai have really absorbed their characters with immense honesty. Depicting India and its various states in 1940’s with such brilliant minds was a great concept, to begin with. These two scientists have completely different personalities but they become best of friends and colleagues at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. Although Sarabhai is a decade younger to Bhabha, the brotherly bond they shared over the course was honest and warm.
The first half of the series is while India is still under the British Raj with the Quit India movement going on simultaneously. Bhabha is a professor and a researcher at IISc, Bangalore, working on his theory of cosmic rays and how it is the future of India. Sarabhai happens to meet him while he is looking for an alternative to rubber for a particular work and that’s how Bhabha sees the inquisitiveness and brilliant mind of Vikram. They collectively replace the Union Jack with the Indian flag and everyone around them seems to be extremely proud of their brave achievement.
Homi Bhabha meets Parvana Irani (Saba Azad) while Sarabhai falls in love with Mrinalini (Regina Cassandra) at first sight. The relationship all four of these share is very friendly and they do not fail to call it out when either of them are going on the wrong track. ‘Rocket Boys’ gives the audiences a glimpse into the newly formed scientific community of a newly Independent India in the later half of the series.
Institutes are battling each other to win various grants and take the newly independent India to a newer height with their inventions. It is the Prime Minister who has the final decision on all these issues. With new technology of atomic energy available, Bhabha is interested in manifesting it and then going on to its applications. During the war, nuclear and atomic energy can be put to use and it can get very hazardous for everyone around.
It is a clash between Bhabha and Sarabhai. Bhabha has an individualistic personality and he always tries to put himself first, be it research or institution. Sarabhai on the other hand feels guilty of being from a privileged family and as a result demonstrates traits of a collectivistic ideology. In the time of war and independence, these two personalities have a fallout about their selfish needs and things take a turn.
The role of Bhabha played by the phenomenal Jim Sarbh is truly fantastic. Right from his accent to his hairdo and his suits, I could see the character of Bhabha in that series. I personally liked Bhabha because he knew that he had the mind of a genius which comes with a little madness which he accepted and took in stride. He knew that he came from that 1% of the crowd but he did not feel ashamed. Instead he took all the resources he could get and he used his intelligence and scientific knowledge to the best of all possibilities. Of course, with power comes pride and things can go south, and with such an immense power like atomic energy, with endless possibilities, people have different opinions.
Vikram Sarabhai played by Ishwak Singh is a calm and warm character, done brilliantly. Sarabhai has that energy of a curious mind right from the first episode. He has ambitions of building his own rocket. Being a scientist, who generally looks at things through the lens of pros and cons and facts, Sarabhai was one of a kind, with emotions, feelings and more which only made him more human. The entry of A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (Arjun Radhakrishnan) was one of the highlights of the series who shares dreams similar to that of Sarabhai.
All in all, ‘Rocket Boys’ is something new and different from mainstream Bollywood, bringing to light new chapters of our history. It seems too real while watching with no filters. With this series, the audience will see Homi Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai, among others, lead India into a scientific revolution before its time.
‘Rocket Boys’ is now streaming on SonyLIV.
