Rocket Boys Review

Homi J. Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai, two extraordinary scientists, are the subjects of the TV programme Rocket Boys, which is available on SonyLIV. Siddharth Roy Kapur, Monisha Advani, and Madhu Bhojwani are the producers of the Hindi-language programme. It is produced by Roy Kapur Films and Emmay Entertainment, with Abhay Pannu serving as the director. Some of the actors in the series include Jim Sarbh, Ishwak Singh, and Regina Cassandra. You can learn a lot about these motivational people by watching this fascinating programme.

The second season of Rocket Boys, a web series, premiered on SonyLIV on March 16, 2023. The first look of the second season was shown on August 15, 2022, a special day for India. The second teaser was revealed on February 12, 2023. In this teaser, they talk about how important it was for India to have nuclear weapons to protect itself from potential wars. They mention the first nuclear test called Pokhran I, which happened in 1974. The series follows the incredible journey of some of India's greatest scientists, who played a vital role in shaping the country's future. They were determined to protect their nation's independence and make it a strong and respected country.

Rocket Boys Web Series Details

Rocket Boys Review: Season 1

An intriguing TV show, Rocket Boys, found on SonyLIV, tells the tale of two significant Indian scientists. They participated in the nation's space and nuclear energy programmes. The show's creators worked very hard to make the topic engaging and not dry. It was made engaging by combining enjoyable quizzes, imaginative storytelling, and a tonne of research. The extraordinary lives and accomplishments of physicists Vikram Sarabhai and Homi Bhabha served as inspiration for the show. You'll be intrigued by this adventure and eager to learn more about science and exploration.

Homi Bhabha, who was 56 years old, perished in a plane crash in 1966. In 1971, a heart attack claimed the life of 52-year-old Vikram Sarabhai. These incredible men produced so much in a short period. They established enduring institutions and contributed significantly to science and government. They also significantly impacted the launch of India's atomic and space research programmes. Although their lives were cut short, their influence on India and the rest of the world will never be forgotten.

The well-known figures who frequently appear on postage stamps and textbook covers come to life in the television programme Rocket Boys. It's crucial to pick actors who are compatible with their roles, such as casting a Parsi actor to play a Parsi character, which is uncommon. Jim Sarbh portrays Bhabha as a committed scientist with a fashionable demeanour. Sarabhai, portrayed by Ishwak Singh, is a good-hearted but occasionally annoying character. He looks after his family's textile business and his love of rockets.

The period-appropriate production of the show is stunning. Cool animated opening titles created by Studio Kokaachi introduce the film. There are eight episodes in the first season of the show that span the years 1940 to 1960. Sarabhai joins Bhabha's research team in Bengaluru. India is about to become independent, and Jawaharlal Nehru will lead the country. Bhabha, who calls Nehru "Bhai" (which means "brother"), asks for a lot of money to develop and research atomic weapons. Sarabhai initially disagrees with Bhabha's ideas, but later he understands why Bhabha is so determined. Similarly, Bhabha argues with Sarabhai sometimes, but he supports him when it matters.

The authors Abhay Koranne and Abhay Pannu assert that Bhabha and Sarabhai are similar to the musical duo Lennon and McCartney but in the field of science. They are an apt representation of India's vibrant spirit following independence. Even though they disagree and have differences, they can cooperate when necessary.

The authors admire these heroes, and they take pleasure in describing their thrilling discoveries. They simplify the convoluted history into thrilling scenes for us to enjoy in the show by presenting their version of the events. The show's creators carefully choose the plot twists in Rocket Boys to add excitement to the narrative. Like the smuggler-themed miniseries The Serpent, Rocket Boys contains a disclaimer that reads, "All dialogue is imagined."

The characters are not simply lauded and exalted in the show. Unlike other shows and films about pivotal events in Indian history, it adds a bold touch of doubt. The show demonstrates how it's normal for scientists to hold various opinions and beliefs. The society Rocket Boys portrays values of civil disagreement and holds everyone?including the prime minister?responsible for their deeds.

A few of the television programme Rocket Boys' viewpoints are currently biased. According to the book Growing the Tree of Science - Homi Bhabha and the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, both men were much more than we initially saw, even though the close friendship between Bhabha and Nehru may appear to be an instance of favouritism.

Rajit Kapur plays Nehru humorously in the show, giving him a high-pitched voice and a posh demeanour. Due to their shared history, Nehru is sympathetic to Bhabha's viewpoints, demonstrating his support for both the idea of self-reliance and the independence of India. We learn from Rocket Boys that these concepts are not novel and have existed for a long time.

There is a Raza Mehdi character in the television series Rocket Boys who disapproves of Nehru's unwavering faith in Bhabha. Because of this trust, Mehdi is subjected to a nationalism test and is denied the positions he feels are due to him. However, APJ Abdul Kalam, a young "Rocket Boys" member, provides a counterbalance. As Sarabhai followed Bhabha, so did Kalam, as portrayed by Arjun Radhakrishnan.

Our heroes are facing an uncertain future but they have help of women. In a scene reminiscent of those in Satyajit Ray's Pratidwandi, Bhabha begins to have feelings for the lawyer Pipsy, played by Saba Azad. In contrast, Sarabhai has a poetic exchange with the Bharatanatyam dancer Mrinalini, played by Regina Cassandra. Following his marriage, Sarabhai develops feelings for Kamala Chaudhary, a coworker. Their relationship is beautifully complemented by the music that Achint Thakkar composed for the show.

It's important to recognise and appreciate your bravery and effort even when the results of Rocket Boys aren't exactly what you had hoped for. Like the early experiments in rocketry and bomb-making, always remember to give yourself extra credit for your best efforts. In Rocket Boys, the actors portray fictional and real characters with astounding skill. Particularly excellent actors in their roles are Jim Sarbh and Ishwak Singh. They bring the daring and creative qualities of their characters to life. We also see a country full of hope and amazing accomplishments when we view the story through their eyes.

Rocket Boys Review: Season 2

The TV series Rocket Boys follows the lives of two accomplished Indian scientists, Homi Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai. In the second season, new characters are introduced, and their paths diverge. They were divided apart to make the story more engaging and demonstrate how different people can collaborate. While Sarabhai wants to use science to advance society, Bhabha wants to build a nuclear bomb in the first season.

In the show Rocket Boys, even though India had limited resources and faced doubts and differences in ideas, it showed how Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru supported scientific institutions that wanted money. The show teaches us that having healthy discussions is important and not unthinkingly following leaders. It also shows a special partnership between the main characters, like Lennon and McCartney, in music, which greatly impacted the Indian science community. The heroes and their relationships were portrayed well in the show.

Coming from wealthy families, Bhabha and Sarabhai had the option of leaving India for better opportunities, but instead, they opted to stay and support their home nation. Sarabhai marries Mrinalini, whereas Bhabha openly dates Pipsy. APJ Abdul Kalam, who later became the president, is portrayed by Arjun Radhakrishnan as a young devotee of Sarabhai.

The show will focus on shadowy, hidden locations where espionage takes place, as hinted at in the previous season's final episode. Characters like Mathur and Prosenjit are suspected of being traitors, but it turns out that Raza, a Bhabha employee, is the real bad guy. Abhay Koranne provided the idea for Rocket Boys, which Abhay Pannu and Nikkhil Advani developed. Taking control once more is Pannu, the film's director and screenwriter. Pannu and Kausar Munir wrote the dialogues in both Hindi and English.

The "Foreign Hand," a hot topic in Indian politics during the 1960s and 1970s, is the subject of the new eight-episode run. These days, spies play a significant role in addition to scientists. To find out how close Bhabha is to complete his mission of developing a nuclear bomb for India, American agents under the command of the irascible Crowley are on the case.

Mathur occasionally appears to disappear when there isn't enough light present. A fictional character named Raza exhibits odd behaviour at times and symbolises the prejudice and fear that some people have towards Muslims. As Indira Gandhi rose to power, some over-the-top performances didn't matter, as well as some shady CIA activities depicted through heated conversations. Famous photographs of Gandhi standing alone with only men around her served as inspiration for one scene.

When India conducted its first nuclear bomb test in Pokhran in 1974, Bhabha and Sarabhai were not yet alive. Bhabha perished in a plane crash in 1966, and Sarabhai passed away in 1971 due to health problems (possibly brought on by overworking). Did the CIA bomb Bhabha's plane to kill him? Was the 1966 death of Lal Bahadur Shastri in Tashkent suspicious? He presided over India before Indira Gandhi. Although the current season of the show attempts to blend facts with its version of events, it spends far too much time on conspiracies. The fact that India managed to conceal the Pokhran test from the stern Americans completely, however, was certainly exciting to witness.

Mallika, Kartikeya, and Revanta, Vikram Sarabhai's grandson, are additional associate directors on the show. Their involvement ensures that Sarabhai and Kamla's relationship is overlooked or forgotten. This season does not emphasise Kamla Chowdhury, who contributed significantly to the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad. The goal is to revive the conventional perception of Sarabhai's wedding.

Sometimes the made-up conversations seem more authentic than the constrained view of the circumstances leading up to Pokhran. In one particularly memorable conversation, Bhabha tries to establish a rapport with the approachable politician Lal Bahadur Shastri, who will succeed Nehru as the next leader. According to Bhabha, a true leader foresees a nation's needs even when he is not present.

Several touching scenes between Sarabhai and Mrinalini depict their tumultuous relationship. Bhabha and Pipsy's contemporary relationship is still one of the highlights. Overall, the new season could be more focused and more relaxed. Jim Sarbh's departure, who was incredibly endearing and enjoyable, and Bhabha's death leave a significant gap.

Ishwak Singh, Regina Cassandra, Saba Azad, and Dibyendu Bhattacharya, who reprise their roles in Rocket Boys, assist in maintaining order as the production spirals out of control. Even when it's most explosive, the show can occasionally catch your attention suddenly. Instead of the customary opening credits, the seventh episode shows Sarabhai's TV experiments using vintage Doordarshan-era animation.

Conclusion

Rocket Boys transports us to an exciting journey through India's scientific accomplishments with its captivating plot and likeable characters. Homi Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai's passion and tenacity are displayed in Seasons 1 and 2 as they overcome obstacles in a newly independent India to pursue their dreams. The programme expertly illustrates the strength of teamwork, the value of scientific advancement, and the enduring spirit of our country. Rocket Boys encourages us to put our faith in ourselves, cooperate, and aim high.