Netflix premiered its latest series ‘The Railway Men‘ on November 18th, boasting exceptional performances from a stellar cast including Kay Kay Menon, R Madhavan, Divyenndu, Babil, and more. Directed by Shiv Rawail, the show is now available for streaming on Netflix.
Rarely does an audience stumble upon a series that not only jolts them out of complacency but also lingers in their thoughts long after watching. Netflix achieved this recently with ‘Kaala Paani’, which has been renewed for a new season. It seems the streaming giant has once again struck gold with ‘The Railway Men’, surpassing even the excellence of ‘Kaala Paani’.
The series, spanning four episodes, prominently features Kay Kay Menon, R Madhavan, Divyenndu, and Babil on its posters. However, despite their prominence, the show lives up to its title by delivering outstanding performances from every cast member, including Dibyendu Bhattarcharya, Sunny Hinduja, Juhi Chawla, Raghubir Yadav, Mandira Bedi, and Philip Rosch.
With a gripping screenplay and brilliant direction, ‘The Railway Men’ emerges as one of the finest web series of the year. Each hour-long episode wastes no time in plunging viewers into an engaging narrative right from the start. The creators pull no punches, delivering scenes that strike straight at the heart.
They confront government officials, the carbide factory owner, and the authorities involved right from the outset. As we eagerly anticipate the unfolding events, the countdown begins, quite literally. The narrative reveals that within a few hours, the city of Bhopal will be engulfed by a deadly gas.
And before time runs out, we’re introduced to three of the ‘The Railway Men’ – a train ticket collector (Menon), a former truck driver at the Carbide factory now starting his first day as a railway worker (Babil), and an imposter posing as a policeman (Divyenndu). The fourth member, the General Manager of Railways (Madhavan), joins the action as events are already in motion.
The show ramps up its pace right from the start, and despite being on an OTT platform, it’s so intense that hitting the pause button becomes impossible. It keeps viewers on edge, even when the outcome seems inevitable. Some scenes are so heart-wrenching that those with a faint heart may find them difficult to endure.
The creators have employed straightforward sequences to depict the horrors of the tragedy in the most realistic manner possible. The performances in the series are exceptional. There isn’t a single flaw to be found. Crafting such a gripping narrative hinges on the actors, and this ensemble cast embodies perfection.
Kay Kay Menon leads the show and delivers sheer brilliance, as expected from him. Divyenndu portrays a sly character, a product of a selfish upbringing who evolves under the influence of Menon’s character. It’s gratifying to witness him in a role that truly showcases his talent. Madhavan portrays a man thrust into an unexpected challenge, compelling him to assess the situation and rise to the occasion.
He effortlessly embodies his character and delivers a commendable performance. However, the standout star undoubtedly is Babil. With much anticipation riding on the young actor, tasked with carrying forward his father, the brilliant Irrfan’s legacy, Babil shines in ‘The Railway Men’. In previous works like ‘Qala’ and ‘Friday Night Plan’, he had limited scope, but in this series, he fully demonstrates his potential.
Playing Imaz Riaz, driven to uncover the truth behind the carbide factory after losing a loved one to the gas tragedy, Babil’s character holds depth, which he masterfully brings to life. He flawlessly captures the accent, making the character seem effortless. Sunny Hinduja, in a pivotal role as the journalist seeking truth, emerges as a true hero documenting the horrors of the disaster.
His character is inspired by a real individual. The remaining cast members—Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Juhi Chawla, Mandira Bedi, and Raghubir Yadav—excel in their roles despite limited screen time. Shiv Rawail’s direction is commendable, maintaining control over the script. While introducing several tropes, they all seamlessly integrate.
What’s noteworthy is the consistent pace and flawless editing. Rawail employs an old-school storytelling approach, opening each episode with impactful sequences that set the stage and provide deeper insights. This tactic proves highly effective, immediately captivating the audience. This series is an intense watch.
Once you start, it becomes unpausable! It’s a show that demands attention. If ‘Kaala Paani’ evoked memories of the pandemic, this series will make you ponder why, even after four decades, we haven’t learned much. Many in India still endure toxic gas, albeit not as immediately lethal as the carbide tragedy, its effects remain undeniable.
Yet, who shoulders the blame? Who’s accountable? Watch if you have the fortitude to endure these hard-hitting sequences. This is a must-watch that shouldn’t be overlooked. The show ‘The Railway Men’ can be streamed on Netflix.
