Highlights
The Waking of a Nation is a six-episode historical drama directed by Ram Madhvani and streaming on SonyLIV from 7 March 2025. The web series features Taaruk Raina, Nikita Dutta, Sahil Mehta, and Bhawsheel Singh Sahni and tells the story of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre of April 13, 1919. The story follows Kantilal, a lawyer and member of the Hunter Commission who sets out to find out the truth behind the tragedy. As he digs deeper into the case, he realizes that there is a bigger conspiracy, thus putting his life in danger.
Storyline:
In 1919, Amritsar, people protest against a new British law Rowlatt Act that allows them to jail anyone without a trial. The British feel threatened with satyagrahis as they try to maintain peace and want to stop the protests.
On April 13 in 1919, thousands of people gather at Jallianwala Bagh to celebrate Baisakhi, not knowing they are in danger. That evening, General Dyer orders his soldiers to fire at the crowd, killing hundreds of innocent people. The British try to hide the truth but the massacre shocks the nation.
Kantilal, a brave lawyer, joins a team of Hunter Commission investigating the attack. But he soon learns that the British want to cover up what really happened. Despite many dangers, he decides to fight for justice and expose the truth.
The Waking of a Nation tells the story of this tragic event and the struggle for India’s freedom.
Review: Episode 1: Kaala Qanoon: A Dastardly Act
Positive Aspects
The web series begins with a powerful opening line that mentions how somewhere in the world, every seven days, a nation celebrates its independence from Britain. This immediately made me realize how many countries had to fight for their freedom, including India. It made me curious and inspired me to watch Episode 1 to understand the struggles behind India’s independence.
The series does a great job of presenting hard-hitting facts about the Jallianwala Bagh massacre that happened 100 years ago. Episode 1 reveals that 1,650 bullets were fired, killing 400 Indians and injuring 1,500 others. These shocking numbers made me truly understand the scale of the tragedy and the brutality of British rule, making the episode even more impactful.
Episode 1 does a great job of explaining the events leading up to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. It shows how the British were already planning to stop protests against the Rowlatt Act and saw peaceful resistance as a threat. The episode highlights the arrest of leaders like Dr. Satyapal and Dr. Kitchlew, the growing tension, and how things slowly built up to the tragic day. By showing these events, the episode helps viewers understand not just the massacre but also the reasons behind it. As a viewer, I gained valuable historical insights about the Rowlatt Act, the arrests of Dr. Satyapal and Dr. Kitchlew, and the brutal actions of General Dyer and Michael O’Dwyer, Lieutenant Governor of Punjab.
The storytelling brings history to life by showing the struggles of Kantilal Sahni, a lawyer fighting for justice, making the past feel more personal and emotional. Through his journey, we see how the past was not just about events but about real people who stood up against oppression. His interactions with childhood friends Hari and Allahbaksh highlight the challenges Indians faced in raising their voices against British rule. The contrast between British power (suit) and Indian resistance (dhoti) is shown effectively by Kantilal during the courtroom battle, thus reminding viewers that this was not just a fight for weapons but also for identity and justice.
Negative Aspects
The British perspective is shown in detail, including their cruel justifications for the massacre. Watching their cold and ruthless mindset can feel uncomfortable and disturbing.
The brutality of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre is intense and hard to watch, making some scenes emotionally overwhelming.
Performances
Taaruk Raina does a good job as Kantilal Sahni, showing his journey from a determined lawyer to a brave truth-seeker. Sahil Mehta and Bhawsheel Singh Sahni support him well as his close friends, while Nikita Dutta adds warmth as Poonam. Paul McEwan and Carl Wharton play British officials convincingly, making them feel powerful and ruthless. The rest of the cast, including Raymond Bethley, Alex Reece, and others do their parts well.
Verdict
The Waking of a Nation brings an important chapter of history to life. Episode 1 comes with a powerful retelling of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the fight for truth and justice. If you are interested in history or stories of resilience, this episode is definitely worth watching. The Waking of a Nation web series on Sony LIV should be on your weekend watchlist as it effectively highlights the brutality of British rule and the courage of those who stood against it.
Cast & Crew:
- Cast: Taaruk Raina, Sahil Mehta, Bhawsheel Singh Sahni, Nikita Dutta, Paul McEwan, Carl Wharton, Raymond Bethley, Alex Reece, Tomas Howser, Ant Wright, Matt Metcalfe, Mark Brailsford, Ikhlaque Khan, Adhyaay Bakshi, Rita Sigmond, Leda Hodgson, Robbie Boyle, Jake James Harrison
- Director: Ram Madhvani
- Producer: Ram Madhvani, Amita Madhvani
- Creative Executive Producer: Udayan Baijal
- Executive Producer: Ankita Batra
- Story: Shatrujeet Nath, Ram Madhvani
- Dialogue: Shantanu Srivastava, Shatrujeet Nath
- Screenplay: Shantanu Srivastava, Shatrujeet Nath, Ram Madhvani
- Subtitles: English
- Audio Language: Hindi, Hindi Only, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam
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