The new Netflix spy-thriller series, ‘Saare Jahan Se Achchha,’ has everyone talking. It dives into the early 1970s, a time when many countries were racing to develop nuclear weapons. The show tells a gripping tale of Pakistan’s efforts to build atomic weapons and the intense missions of intelligence agencies from both sides. Stars like Pratik Gandhi, Sunny Hinduja, Tillotama Shome, Rajat Kapoor, and Kritika Kamra lead the cast. Recently, the entire cast and creators sat down with Amar Ujala Digital to share some wild stories from the set.
Pratik Gandhi, who plays RAW agent Vishnu Shankar, shared how he got into character. Before filming, he watched ‘The Spy’ on Netflix. That show gave him a fresh and interesting look at what a spy’s life is really like. He found it really helped him understand Vishnu. Pratik also read the script very carefully. He said it held many deep things that needed to be felt, not just spoken or shown. Getting to the heart of the character was key. Reading it made him sure the show would be amazing.
Many remember Pratik from his hit series ‘Scam 1992.’ But he hasn’t been stuck in similar roles. Pratik said he always gets different characters. People see him for fresh parts, and he feels he brings something new to them. It’s tough to avoid being typecast, but he finds it important to stay away from that. He also spoke about the heartbreak when good films don’t do well. He especially felt it with ‘Phule,’ a film he had big hopes for. He wanted it to reach more people and get the praise it deserved. Sadly, it didn’t find the large audience they expected. Still, Pratik gives his all to every role, believing the project is right for him. His satisfaction comes from within, not from what others say. He believes the industry needs more fresh ideas. The technology is there; they just need to figure out how to reach more people.
Pratik also pointed out a big problem: the rising cost of movie tickets and the increase in multiplexes. He noted that ticket prices are very high, and single-screen cinemas are slowly vanishing. This makes it tough for people in smaller towns to see movies. Often, they have to travel 50 or 60 kilometers to find a theater. While modern cinemas offer comfy seats, not everyone needs that. Many just want a cheap and easy place to watch a film. If all single-screen theaters become multiplexes, people in small towns will be left out. He believes we need to find a balance so movies can reach everyone.
Series producer Gaurav Shukla shared a fun story from the set. They used real cars during filming. The only catch? These cars kept breaking down! So, four or five mechanics were always on standby. This way, if a car stopped, they could fix it right away. In fact, one scene even had to be shot on a slope because the car simply refused to move.
Sunny Hinduja, who plays an ISI agent in the series, talked about his desire for great roles. He said he’s always looking for good scripts, directors, and platforms. He believes that when you find a great script and a chance to truly bring a character to life, you must give it your all. Whether it’s playing Sandeep Bhaiya, who’s trying to become an IAS officer, or an ISI agent, every role deserves your very best effort.
Anoop Soni, well-known for ‘Crime Patrol,’ also has a key role in ‘Saare Jahan Se Achchha.’ When asked if he’d ever return to ‘Crime Patrol,’ he said yes, absolutely. He feels a strong bond with the show, which gave him a solid identity and priceless love from the audience. If his work and schedule can be balanced, he would happily rejoin the show. His absence was only due to a busy schedule, as theater, films, and web series are also high on his list of priorities.