Nikkhil Advani had already won praise for Freedom at Midnight, so The Revolutionaries arrived with considerable expectations. Fortunately, the filmmaker once again explores India's history with the scale and conviction that can leave viewers wanting to pick up a history book as soon as an episode ends.
Streaming on Prime Video, The Revolutionaries focuses on young men and women who chose resistance over submission but eventually became little more than names in history textbooks. For a Bengali viewer, seeing the stories of Bengal's revolutionaries brought to life is particularly rewarding.
The stories of these freedom fighters have survived beyond textbooks largely because films and television have helped turn them into part of popular memory. Actors such as Ajay Devgn as Bhagat Singh and Vicky Kaushal as Udham Singh have given historical figures an emotional identity on screen. This series attempts something similar for those who fought alongside, before and after the more famous revolutionaries.
It is difficult not to feel moved while watching these young men and women. Their courage and willingness to risk everything for independence are deeply inspiring. At a time when there was no internet, social media or modern technology to connect people across the country instantly, they still managed to find one another, establish networks and risk their lives for India's freedom. They faced hunger, exhaustion and constant danger, with even a comfortable bed becoming a rare luxury. Their sacrifices inevitably make one reflect on how casually the freedom they fought for can sometimes be taken for granted today.
The series introduces the Sanyal family, who operate almost like the unseen backbone of the revolutionary movement, quietly assisting those fighting against British rule. Rohit Saraf plays Sachindra Nath Sanyal, a young revolutionary whose ambitions extend far beyond simply supporting the movement.
His inspiration, Rash Behari Bose, played brilliantly by Bhuvan Bam, enters the story dramatically while attempting to attack the Viceroy alongside his associate Basant Kumar.
Bhuvan has portrayed several different characters before, but The Revolutionaries gives him an opportunity to completely immerse himself in a role, and the result is surprisingly convincing. His fiery revolutionary also works as a professor in Dehradun and is mocked for being “more British than the Britishers”. Beneath that outward appearance, however, is a man deeply consumed by his dream of seeing India independent.
Bhuvan is especially effective during the quieter moments, where his restrained anger and emotional pain often communicate more than his words. Even his use of Bengali insults such as “pagol” and “shuerer bachcha” adds an earthy authenticity that brings a touch of humour.
Pratibha Ranta plays Pratibha Lahiri, who initially appears to be a woman preparing to marry Sachin but gradually develops an identity and sense of independence of her own. Paoli Dam delivers a strong performance as Nani Bala Devi, while Tota Roy Choudhury and Avijit Dutt are equally impressive as members of the Sanyal family.
The Ghadar movement, which is often given little more than a brief mention in conventional history lessons, receives considerably more attention here. The series also gives significant space to figures such as Bose and Bagha Jatin. Gurfateh Pirzada plays Bagha as an intense, almost solitary revolutionary, while Bose carries the presence of a natural leader. Their relationship becomes one of the series' most compelling bonds. Lala Har Dayal, portrayed by Neil Bhoopalam, and the role played by Indians living overseas in the independence movement also receive meaningful attention.
The action scenes are among the show's strongest moments, particularly the ammunition robbery and the sequence at the port involving Indians from Punjab living abroad. The deaths and losses that follow are especially painful because the series has already established an emotional connection between the audience and these young revolutionaries.
Another fascinating aspect is the way the series presents General Dyer, played by Jason Shah. Dyer has been depicted as a villain in numerous films and shows, but this time the narrative offers glimpses into his childhood, his stammer and the insecurity that contributed to his transformation into an authority-obsessed officer. None of this excuses his brutality. Instead, the portrayal asks a more uncomfortable question about how individuals choose to respond to the trauma they experience.
The series is equally difficult to watch when it depicts Indians who assisted the British in controlling their own countrymen. Dyer's officer Maan Singh and Kirpal Singh, who worked as a British spy, serve as uncomfortable reminders of this aspect of India's colonial history.
Visually, The Revolutionaries is impressive. Its locations feel authentic and lived-in rather than resembling artificial sets. Banaras, Dehradun and Bengal contribute significantly to the atmosphere, while the production design stands out as one of the show's strongest features.
However, the series does have shortcomings. Spread across eight episodes, it can become somewhat tiring. It is not necessarily boring, but the sheer amount of material can feel overwhelming. The romantic storyline between Rohit and Pratibha is another weak point. Their chemistry does not quite work, their conversations can feel overly confident and forced, and the romantic song adds little to the narrative.
Rohit delivers an impressive performance as Sachin and successfully moves away from his familiar chocolate-boy image. However, the makers appear to have felt the need to introduce a conventional romantic subplot. At times, even the polished appearances and muscular physiques of Rohit and Gurfateh seem slightly out of place against the rough and intense world of the story. Gurfateh, nevertheless, gives his character considerable authority and immediately draws attention whenever he appears.
The soundtrack is another disappointment. A story of this scale needed a powerful anthem — one memorable song capable of staying with audiences long after the credits. The repeated slow-motion sequences and Durga Puja celebrations also occasionally feel excessive. There are creative liberties as well, particularly involving Bose's designation and PN Tagore, which may trouble viewers who are already familiar with the historical record.
Still, the series offers enough powerful and goosebump-inducing moments to maintain interest. And as suggested by the ending, another chapter of The Revolutionaries could soon be on its way. Viewers may want to stay prepared.
