The new web series Saare Jahaan Se Accha on Netflix has become a talking point not just for its story but also for the way it has portrayed India’s RAW as opposed to the Pakistan’s ISI. Many viewers are impressed with the drama and the writing, but at the same time, they are questioning the strange characterisation of the two intelligence agencies.
In the series, RAW, which is India’s top intelligence body, is portrayed as hesitant, filled with guilt and almost spineless in its actions. On the other hand, ISI, is shown as a strong, level-headed and patriotic organisation. This sudden reversal has surprised a lot of people, and not in a very good way leading viewers to take to social media platforms and bring this to attention.
Fiction of course allows creative freedom, and nobody expects a show to reflect reality word by word. But when the subject involves India and Pakistan, and especially sensitive organisations like RAW and ISI, the balance becomes very important. Viewers relate to these images strongly, and if one side is shown weak while the other is glorified, it can leave a bitter taste even in an otherwise good series.
There is no doubt that Saare Jahaan Se Accha is a good attempt. The performances are fine, the pacing is tight. But the makers must also realise that such portrayals do not exist in isolation. They add to how people think and feel about real institutions. In chasing drama, one should be careful not to cross into distortion.