The Waking of a Nation

I wasn't expecting this series to feel so personal, but the way it's told through Kantilal Sahni's perspective makes everything hit harder. He's not a hero or a fighter-he's just a man trying to do his job, only to realise that justice is never what those in power actually want.

The slow buildup to the massacre is what makes the show so gripping. You see the tensions rising, the way small decisions keep pushing things toward disaster, and how no one in authority is willing to take responsibility. Even though you know what's coming, you keep hoping something will change.

The performances are brilliant, especially in the courtroom scenes where you can see how words are being twisted to fit a pre-planned conclusion. The cinematography adds to the tension, with shots that make you feel like you're in the room, watching history being manipulated in real time.

This series doesn't just tell a story-it makes you question everything you thought you knew about it.

Anwar Says: An event JALIANWALA BAGH MASSACRE at Amritsar and the name of General Dyer is synonymous with it and here the director Ram Madhwani tried to expose the real conspiracy and bring into light the truth through Courtroom scenes of Hunter Commission appointed by the then British Empire . The fictional character Kantilal Sahni is loosely taken from the advocate Sir Chimanlal Hiralal Setalvad , who cross-examined Dyer and so Madhvani rubs off TRUE EVENTS after writing in the openings of WAKING OF A NATION ,streaming on sonyliv.

Kanti , played by Taaruk Raina, is present in almost 95% of the frames and keep on narrating the facts with his monologues and series of flashbacks. Here is the problems with the webseries . So many time frames are used in flashbacks, courtroom lacks intensity and many a times repetitive. But the sets , actual British characters and in particular depiction of massacre through sound engineering and let you visualise the scene are the features of Madhvani creation. Nikita Dutta has also played her role superb as Munshi of publishing house.

The series will definitely appeal the History loving audience, since this would add some depth to their knowledge of Freedom Movement and for common audiences it is definitely an interesting watch in spite of some of its shortcomings.

#SonyLIV #anwarsays #FreedomMovement #jalianwalabagh #GeneralDyer #amritsar #RamMadhvani #taarukraina #huntercommission #rowlettact.

Most shows about historical events focus on the big moments, but this one is different. It's not just about the Jallianwala Bagh massacre-it's about the tensions that led to it, the people who tried to stop it, and the system that covered it up afterward. That's what makes it so gripping.

Kantilal Sahni is such an interesting character because he starts off believing in the system. He thinks the Hunter Commission is there to find the truth. But as he listens to testimonies and sees how the British manipulate the investigation, he realises he's part of something much bigger-and much more dangerous. Watching his moral struggle unfold makes the story feel incredibly real.

The courtroom debates are some of the best moments in the series. The arguments, the frustration, the moments where you can see the truth slipping through the cracks-it's all so well done. The production quality is top-notch, from the costumes to the historical details that make colonial India feel alive.

It's rare to find a historical drama that feels this immersive. This isn't just about remembering history-it's about understanding how it was shaped.

I accept the cinematic inaccuracies that have been pointed out in many reviews of this movie. I too did get bored with the movie dragging so much. However, I would like to highlight that the incident described in the movie happened more than a 100 years ago and in these years no director had the will and courage to enlighten us on the reality. All Indians have only heard of and criminalized General Dyer in our heads. Had it not been for movies like Sardar Udam and this one, our youth would still be behind the veil. So I would encourage all to see this movie as it is really an eye opener........

The Waking of a Nation is a gripping series that does more than recount a historical tragedy-it makes you feel the weight of the injustice, the pain of loss, and the resilience of those who endured it.

Sahil Mehta and Bhawsheel Singh Sahni are exceptional as Allahbaksh and Hari, their chemistry making the tragedy of their fate hit even harder. Nikita Dutta's Poonam is a quiet but commanding presence, portraying sorrow with such depth that her grief lingers in every scene she's in.

Paul McEwan as Michael O'Dwyer is chilling in his calm cruelty, embodying the worst of colonial arrogance. Carl Wharton as Lord William Hunter brings a controlled menace to the courtroom sequences, making every legal battle feel like a fight for dignity. Hansraj, the British informant, is another key figure, showing the devastating consequences of betrayal from within.

The cinematography captures both the chaos of the massacre and the quiet despair that followed. The contrast between the bloodshed in Jallianwala Bagh and the cold, calculated proceedings in the courtroom is striking, making the injustice feel even more unbearable.