Saare Jahan Se Accha Review: Pratik Gandhi and Sunny Hinduja fronted espionage-thriller is an INSTANT CLASSIC

Saare Jahan Se Accha, created by Gaurav Shukla, directed by Sumit Purohit, and starring Pratik Gandhi, Sunny Hinduja and others, now streams on Netflix. Read our review.

Published on Aug 13, 2025  |  12:35 PM IST |  506K
Pratik Gandhi
Saare Jahan Se Accha is an instant classic (Credit: Netflix)

Name: Saare Jahan Se Accha

Director: Sumit Purohit

Cast: Pratik Gandhi, Sunny Hinduja, Suhail Nayyar, Kritika Kamra, Tillotama Shome, Rajat Kapoor, Anup Soni

Writer: Bhavesh Mandalia, Gaurav Shukla, Meghna Srivastava, Abhijeet Khuman, Shivam Shankar, Kunal Kushwah, Ishraq Shah

Rating: 4/5

Plot

Set in the early to mid-1970s, Saare Jahan Se Accha dives into a tense period following the mysterious death of India’s renowned scientist Homi Bhabha in a premeditated 1966 plane crash. After Pakistan’s defeat in the 1971 war and a diplomatic loss in 1972, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto sets his sights on a dangerous ambition of turning Pakistan into a nuclear state. Indian intelligence agency R&AW, led by RN Rao (Rajat Kapoor), uncovers Bhutto’s covert meetings with top scientists. The stakes are sky-high. A nuclear Pakistan could spark not just World War 3 but the final war humanity ever sees. R&AW dispatches its sharpest agent, Vishnu Shankar (Pratik Gandhi), to Pakistan under the guise of a diplomat. His mission is to track every secret move and unravel Pakistan’s nuclear plans. The show follows Vishnu’s high-stakes journey, shadowed by Pakistan’s ruthless intelligence officer Murtuza (Sunny Hinduja), who hunts foreign spies. 

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Will Vishnu succeed, or will Pakistan’s intelligence outsmart him? Watch Saare Jahan Se Accha to find out.

What Works for Saare Jahan Se Accha

Saare Jahan Se Accha is a masterclass in suspense. It grabs you from the opening scene and never lets go. The pacing is relentless. Each episode flies by, leaving you breathless. Cliffhangers close every chapter, making it impossible not to hit “next episode.” The world-building is top-notch, pulling you into the gritty, paranoid 1970s with authentic details, from retro aesthetics to the tense geopolitical atmosphere. The writing is sharp, balancing the thrills with the human drama. Gaurav Shukla’s creation, under Sumit Purohit’s tight direction, feels both grand and grounded. The show’s ability to blend real history with fictional stakes is seamless, keeping you hooked without feeling preachy. Every frame feels purposeful, and the tension of a potential nuclear crisis looms large, making every decision feel monumental. It’s gripping, gritty, and perfectly executed.

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What Doesn’t Work for Saare Jahan Se Accha

The show hits every mark with precision. It sidesteps clichés and fillers, ensuring no scene feels wasted. For a show this polished, it’s hard to pinpoint flaws. It’s as close to perfect as a thriller can get.

Watch the Saare Jahan Se Accha Trailer


Performances in Saare Jahan Se Accha  

The cast is a powerhouse, elevating an already stellar script. Pratik Gandhi as Vishnu Shankar is magnetic. He brings a quiet intensity to the role, like he did in Scam 1992. His ability to convey fear, cunning, and determination in a single glance makes his character Vishnu a standout spy. Sunny Hinduja as Murtuza is chillingly effective. He plays a cold, calculating officer whose every move drips with menace. Hinduja’s restrained performance makes his character’s ruthlessness all the more terrifying. Kritika Kamra shines as Fatima Khan, the Pakistani journalist. She infuses Fatima with wit and depth, making her more than just a plot device. Tillotama Shome, as Mohini, Vishnu’s wife, delivers a heartfelt performance. Her scenes, though fewer, carry emotional weight. She grounds the high-stakes espionage in personal stakes. Rajat Kapoor as RN Rao is commanding yet nuanced, portraying a leader wrestling with impossible choices. Anup Soni, as a compromised Pakistani officer, brings a tragic edge to his role, making you question his loyalties. Suhail Nayyar, playing an Indian spy embedded in Pakistan for years, is riveting. Every other actor nails their part, creating a believable, immersive world.

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Final Verdict of Saare Jahan Se Accha  

Saare Jahan Se Accha is a triumph. It’s a rare show that delivers on every front. From plot to pacing, performances, and atmosphere. The gripping narrative, rooted in a tense historical moment, keeps you on edge from start to finish. The show’s ability to weave real-world stakes with personal drama makes it both thrilling and relatable. It’s hard to find a single misstep in this tightly crafted series. If you love espionage thrillers with heart and grit, this is unmissable. Saare Jahan Se Accha is not just good. It’s exceptional. Watch it!

Stay tuned to Pinkvilla for more such reviews.

ALSO READ: 20 New OTT Releases of This Week (Aug 11- Aug 17): Saare Jahaan Se Achcha, Janaki V v/s State of Kerala to The Echoes of Survivors

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