Netflix’s latest spy thriller, ‘Saare Jahan Se Accha’, which dropped on Wednesday, hurtles straight into the pulse-pounding world of espionage, patriotism, and peril.

Frontlined by Pratik Gandhi, Sunny Hinduja, and Suhail Nayyar, the series shines a spotlight on the covert heroes of R&AW—operatives whose names will never make headlines, yet whose actions alter the course of history.

Directed with razor-sharp precision by Sumit Purohit, this gripping tale follows a race-against-time mission to stop Pakistan from acquiring a nuclear reactor. Slick, tightly edited, and brimming with tension, it’s a binge that keeps your adrenaline spiking till the very last shot.

A high-stakes mission that pits R&AW’s finest against a nuclear threat

Set in the early 1970s, Saare Jahan Se Accha unfolds during the nascent years of R&AW, when RN Kao (Rajat Kapoor) was appointed chief by the Indira Gandhi-led government. Tasked with a high-risk mission deep inside enemy territory, Kao handpicks one of his finest agents, Vishnu Shankar (Pratik Gandhi), to head to Pakistan under diplomatic cover. Officially posted to the Indian embassy in Islamabad, Vishnu’s true objective is far more perilous—to stop Pakistan from becoming a nuclear power.

Accompanied by his newlywed wife (Tilotama Shome), who believes she has married a diplomat, Vishnu soon finds his personal and professional worlds colliding. As days pass in Pakistan, she begins to uncover the dangerous truth about his real work.

On the ground, Vishnu connects with embedded Indian assets, including Sukhbir (Suhail), a seasoned spy living for years under the guise of a trading broker, who has forged close ties with a Pakistani army official.

Meanwhile, across the border, Murtuza—a high-ranking ISI officer—is working to secure a nuclear deal for Pakistan. His confidant and almost-brother, Naushad Ahmed (Anup Soni), a senior figure in the Pakistan Army, secretly aids RA&W, risking his life in the process. Joining this covert effort is a Pakistani journalist (Kritika Kamra), who defies her own nation’s ambitions to support India’s mission to prevent a nuclear-armed Pakistan.

Sharp storytelling, strong performances, and edge-of-the-seat tension

This Netflix series comes close to hitting it out of the park, blending all the right ingredients into a taut, compelling watch. Loosely inspired by one of India’s most significant covert operations in the 1970s—a mission by RA&W to prevent Pakistan from becoming a nuclear power—the narrative grips from the outset without ever tipping into chest-thumping jingoism.

The writing gives every character depth, but Vishnu, Murtuza, and Sukhbir stand out for their layered, morally complex arcs. Pratik, Sunny, and Suhail bring them to life with precision and nuance, making you care as much about their vulnerabilities as their victories. Kritika’s turn as a Pakistani journalist is another highlight — a woman who isn’t betraying her homeland but challenging its priorities, believing the nation should invest in education, healthcare, and infrastructure rather than nuclear weapons.

The series also deserves applause for how it builds and sustains tension. Moments like the near-exposure of Sukhbir’s cover pull you right into the razor’s edge world of espionage. The scene’s sharp writing captures the stakes, but it’s Suhail’s portrayal of the cold, creeping fear of discovery that makes it unforgettable — a chilling reminder of the daily dangers these unsung heroes face in service of their country.

A minor crack in an otherwise solid mission

While ‘Saare Jahan Se Accha’ delivers strongly on almost every front, one element that fell short for me was how underutilised an actor of Tilotama Shome’s calibre was. Cast as the wife of an Indian spy operating under diplomatic cover, she’s largely confined to playing “the wife”, despite her proven ability to command far more layered roles. She does convey the insecurities of her character with finesse, but knowing the depth and range she’s displayed in past performances, the role felt like it never tapped into her full potential.

Similarly, there was far too little of Rajat Kapoor as RN Kao. His presence carries a quiet authority, and yet, the narrative only offers fleeting glimpses of him. However, with the makers teasing Vishnu’s next assignment on the Eastern borders involving China, there’s hope that a potential sequel will bring both these characters—and the actors portraying them—into sharper focus.

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5