Web Series Review: The Railway Men
Genre: Historical Drama | Director: Shiv Rawail
Cast: R. Madhavan, Kay Kay Menon, Divyenndu, Babil Khan
⭐ Verdict: A powerful, meticulously crafted tribute to the courage shown during India’s worst industrial disaster.
Plot (Spoiler-Free):
Based on true events, this Netflix series follows the brave railway employees who risked everything to save thousands during the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy, when a pesticide plant leak turned the city into a death trap overnight.
✅ What Worked Brilliantly:
- Story & Research:
- Unflinching yet respectful portrayal of the disaster
- Balances human stories with technical accuracy
- Performances:
- Kay Kay Menon is phenomenal as the resolute station master
- R. Madhavan delivers his career-best as the principled GM
- Divyenndu surprises in a dramatic role beyond his comic image
- Technical Excellence:
- Cinematography that recreates 1984 Bhopal with chilling authenticity
- Editing that maintains relentless tension without being exploitative
- Production design that nails every period detail
❌ Minor Flaws:
- Some secondary characters could’ve been more fleshed out
- The pacing slightly dips in middle episodes
Unforgettable Moment:
The sequence where railway workers form human chains to guide survivors through toxic fog – will leave you with goosebumps.
Rating: 4.5/5 (One of 2023’s finest Indian web series)
Final Words:
The Railway Men sets a new benchmark for historical storytelling in Indian OTT – equally devastating and inspiring. Mandatory viewing not just for its craft, but for honoring ordinary heroes history forgot. Bring tissues.