The Waking of a Nation Series Review: Ram Madhvani Stays True to History but Struggles with Storytelling.Filmygod

Revisiting History Through Cinema
Looking back at history is never easy. It requires careful examination of major events while placing them within a larger context. While history deals in facts, cinema has the unique ability to bring personal stories to the forefront. This is where director Ram Madhvani positions his lens in The Waking of a Nation, a historical drama that attempts to provide a detailed account of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

The series follows Kantilal Sahni (Taaruk Raina), a London-returned lawyer who initially sympathizes with colonial rule but gradually comes to terms with its brutal reality. As he becomes part of an inquiry commission investigating the massacre, the narrative shifts between past and present, offering a layered retelling of events. Madhvani’s ambition is clear—he wants to present the massacre not as an isolated incident but as part of a larger, calculated conspiracy. He does so with the precision of a historian, using real locations and stock footage instead of relying on excessive visual effects.

A Visually Grounded but Overused Style
One of the series’ most effective stylistic choices is its use of archival footage blended with recreated sequences. This creates a documentary-like feel, immersing the audience in the historical period. Madhvani treats the past as if it is unfolding in the present, making history feel immediate and relevant.

However, this approach starts to feel repetitive. The constant back-and-forth between timelines does not always transition smoothly. Flashbacks are frequently used to reinforce points made in the courtroom, which can become tiresome. Additionally, the screenplay leans heavily on certain metaphors—phrases like ‘ringmaster’ and ‘pawn’ are repeatedly used to describe Michael O’Dwyer (then Punjab governor) and General Reginald Dyer (the officer who ordered the massacre). While these metaphors are effective at first, their overuse diminishes their impact.

Simplistic Storytelling Weakens the Narrative
While The Waking of a Nation presents a compelling historical perspective, its storytelling occasionally feels too simplistic. The courtroom scenes, where Sahni explains the massacre in detail, serve as an effective exposition device but are used too frequently. This repetitive structure takes away from the power of key moments that could have been more impactful if allowed to breathe naturally.

That said, Madhvani does succeed in highlighting the moral complexities of colonial rule. The series does not simply portray British officials as one-dimensional villains; instead, it contextualizes their actions, showing how systemic power structures led to such atrocities. A standout moment is a riot sequence in the second episode, where former friends turn against each other, holding innocent British civilians responsible for the crimes of the crown. This bold decision to humanize even those on the British side adds depth to the narrative.

A Different Approach to the Massacre
The depiction of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre itself is handled with restraint. Unlike Rang De Basanti (2006) or Sardar Udham (2021), which presented the event with visceral intensity, Madhvani chooses a different perspective. The camera does not linger on the horror of the victims but instead focuses on General Dyer and his soldiers as they prepare to fire. This choice adds a chilling detachment to the scene, making it all the more unsettling without relying on explicit violence.

This approach brings a certain dignity to the portrayal, but it also distances the audience from the emotional core of the tragedy. While it avoids shock value, it may leave some viewers feeling detached from the actual human cost of the event.

Performances: Strong but Sometimes Overburdened
Taaruk Raina delivers an earnest performance as Kantilal Sahni, though his character is burdened with an excessive amount of dialogue. At times, his monologues feel more like lectures than natural conversations, making his emotional journey less compelling than it could have been.

Nikita Dutta, on the other hand, stands out as the wife of Sahni’s childhood friend who manages a newspaper. Her courtroom scene, where she recounts the loss of a loved one, is one of the series’ most emotionally resonant moments. Other supporting actors, including Sahil Mehta and Bhawsheel Singh Sahni, add depth to the ensemble cast, but their characters are often overshadowed by the heavy-handed screenplay.

Final Verdict: Ambitious but Fatiguing
The Waking of a Nation is an ambitious attempt to explore one of the darkest chapters of India’s colonial history. Ram Madhvani brings a meticulous, fact-driven approach to the storytelling, avoiding sensationalism and focusing on the larger implications of the massacre. However, the series struggles with pacing issues, a repetitive narrative structure, and an over-reliance on exposition.

While the show succeeds in educating and provoking thought, it does so at the cost of narrative urgency. The six-episode format stretches the story too thin, leading to a sense of exhaustion rather than engagement. In the end, while The Waking of a Nation is a valuable historical account, it lacks the emotional pull needed to make it truly unforgettable.