The Railway Men

• Watched this show twice in the past 4 days. It's truly an excellent work. While people may find certain flaws with the making (I thought the editing could have been crisper), there is absolutely nothing bad that can be said about the acting. All performances are beyond excellent! Special shout out to Kay Kay Menon. This man never ceases to amaze me. His acting in certain scenes is truly breathtaking (no pun intended). Also Babil was an extremely pleasant surprise.

• The legend of Kay Kay Menon has another role to be proud of. Playing Iftikaar Siddiqui, he nurtures a towering mien and strategically explores it using his impeccable acting skills.

• The narrative spans for a handful of hours and is woven engagingly in each episode. You spot the nuances of an era gone by, you see how certain government officials function just for show and certain are ready to put their lives on the line. You see how politics, foreign relations and diplomacy can let one go scot free. Ultimately, this is an important and worthwhile series, well worth your time.

• Even with some missteps in execution, there’s a lot to applaud in The Railway Men. Its historical accuracy packs a punch about organized systems and governmental care for citizens, and the performances are truly excellent. For a filmmaker whose previous forays include assisting on Hindi films Dhoom 3 and Befikre, director Shiv Rawail steps up to make a very measured and impactful series that celebrates the resiliency and pure heart of humankind.

• With The Railway Men, this industry has achieved not only the international success it sought, but also critical acclaim praising the series' production design as well as the dramatic quality of a restrained, nuanced script.

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