Review: 'Rocket Boys' is another illustrious feather in Sony LIV's cap after 'Scam:1992'

The whole Indian web scene has gone on to become so cluttered for the longest time now that it becomes difficult to distinguish the good and the great from the mediocre to outright bad. The numbers game always favors the latter but then time and again, we have a bright spark coming in that makes an impact in its own way and achieves the levels of storytelling the viewers love to see and enjoy.

After the mammoth success that was Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story, Sony LIV seems to have struck another winner in the form of Rocket Boys that stars Jim Sarbh as Dr. Homi Bhabha and Ishwak Singh as Dr. Vikram Sarabhai respectively. Having seen a couple of episodes, here's what I thought of it-

Set in the final years before India got independence to 22 years , the story revolves around an almost maverick-kind of a scientist, Dr. Homi Bhabha (Sarbh) is working on the Cosmic Ray Unit and teaching multiple students how applied science works as opposed to have just read about it. And in his path to also make things better for science, he encounters a bright shining spark in the form of a student, Dr. Vikram Sarabhai (Singh). Both have absolutely contradictory views and opinions about India's fight to get independence, how morality is important over sucking up to the British or not and other instances as well. But if there is one commonality that binds the two in the most perfect manner - it is the fact that they created history while changing India's future!

The Good

One of the most important aspects in a period drama is of course - the race for accuracy. It is rather easy to screw up minute details in such a setting but the production design by Meghna Gandhi, the art direction by Pradeep Nigam and the costume design by Biju Antony and Uma Biju deserve all the plaudits for the execution here. Not only do they make sure the facts are correct and the props and visuals are accurate but the entire setting is so apt that you feel transported into the 1940s and what followed it.

It is fascinating how coincidental things are as Scam was applauded for being one of the rare information-dense shows to come out of India at that point of time. And now, it is so refreshing to see another one come out in the form of Rocket Boys. Also, where do both shows find home? - Sony LIV. Again, what I loved about the writing and execution of Rocket Boys is that it did not shy away or worry about giving 'too much information.' There are long segments where a particular concept of theoretical physics vs applied physics is being explained but it is so neatly woven that you do not get bored. The confrontational scenes between Homi Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai are absolute gem and it so intricately done that you learn so much at the same time stay invested in the storytelling, Kudos to Abhay Koranne for the concept, director Abhay Pannu for co-writing the dialogues with Kausar Munir and also writing the screenplay overall.

Which was the last breakout theme track success that you can remember? Scam 1992's theme song from Achint Thakkar. And what seems like will be another belter of a theme song? Rocket Boys Intro track from Anchint Thakkar again. The man doesn't just churn out another riveting theme music track here but provides the entire music and score for all eight episodes. Also, another special mention for the animation team who prepared the credits intro which is another intro you might not skip everytime you watch it.

Rarely does one talk about casting but Rocket Boys deserves that and hence, Ravi Ahuja and Kavish Sinha - who are the casting team behind roping in these fine artists. It helps amazingly that Sarbh is a Parsi himself and is cast as Homi Bhabha while Singh is another smart casting choice as Vikram Sarabhai. Apart from them, Rajit Kapur as Jawaharlal Nehru, Dibyendu Bhattacharya as Raza Mehdi and even Muni Jha as Amabalal Sarabhai are brilliant casting calls.

The Not-So-Good

Rarely do we encounter shows that seem almost perfect but nitpicking here with only a couple of points would be how the love angles provided to both Homi Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai, while sweet do get a tad stretched at times. The other one would be the stereotypical portrayal of a few Britishers in that era - it is understood that everybody obviously hated them because they were ruling us but to have a primary dimwitted British character to show that on not just one but multiple occasions seemed like a convenient call.

The Performances

There is not one performance that is anything short of excellence. Sarbh gauges his absolute brilliance as Homi Bhabha playing it with a tinge of arrogance and maverick-like personna but being empathetic and a genius as the man was. On the other hand, Singh is equally brilliant where he exhibits this child-like innocence who is also a genius and wants to change science but not at the cost of his morals and patriotism. While the supporting cast is as effective as you would expect them to be; the bromance, banter, confrontation and fantastic chemistry between Sarbh and Singh is the crux of the show and it absolutely lives up to that.

The Verdict

Rocket Boys might be one of the best shows to come out of Indian streaming space since Scam and coincidentally both belong to Sony LIV. Even though, I only saw a couple of episodes and things might/might not change in the episodes ahead but judging on what I have seen, it is much more than a worthy watch. 

Rating - **** (4/5)