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.