Season 1 masterfully employs a dual timeline. In the present, a young, apathetic military history student, Sodhi (played by Karanvir Malhotra), discovers a box of letters and photographs belonging to his great-grand-uncle. This catapults us into the 1940s, where we meet Lieutenant Surinder Singh (Sunny Kaushal) and a band of idealistic, desperate young men.
: The camera work captures both the vast, claustrophobic green hell of the jungles and the grand colonial architecture of 1940s Singapore.
The Forgotten Army - Azaadi Ke Liye 2020 S01 received widespread critical acclaim for its storytelling, performances, and historical accuracy. The series has been praised for shedding light on a relatively forgotten chapter in Indian history and for providing a platform to share the stories of the unsung heroes of the INA.
Kabir Khan, who initially directed a documentary on the same subject in 1999, poured decades of research into this six-episode series. His cinematic vision transforms the show into a visual spectacle rarely seen on Indian television. the forgotten army azaadi ke liye 2020 s01 best
From the military uniforms to the sociopolitical tension of the era, the series pays meticulous attention to detail. It does not shy away from the complex geopolitics of the time, including the controversial alliance between the INA and Imperial Japan.
Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5/5) – Critically acclaimed for direction, historical accuracy, and emotional depth.
: The Forgotten Army excels in highlighting the Rani of Jhansi Regiment—one of the world's first all-female combat units. Through the character of Maya (played by Sharvari Wagh), the show illustrates the fierce bravery of women who traded their traditional roles for military uniforms and rifles. Season 1 masterfully employs a dual timeline
Sunny Kaushal delivers a career-defining performance as the young Captain Surinder Sodhi. He perfectly captures the evolution of a soldier from a loyal British subject to a fierce freedom fighter. Sharvari Wagh, making her debut as Maya, is equally spectacular. Her character highlights the Rani of Jhansi Regiment—the all-female infantry component of the INA—showcasing the vital, pioneering role women played on the front lines.
Unlike many Indian productions that rely heavily on poorly rendered CGI, The Forgotten Army features exceptional practical effects, immersive set designs, and realistic jungle warfare sequences.
3. The Revolutionary Inclusion of the Rani of Jhansi Regiment : The camera work captures both the vast,
, directed by , is a visceral retelling of the often-overlooked history of the Indian National Army (INA) or Azad Hind Fauj . Spanning five episodes, the series marks a 20-year labor of love for Khan, who first explored the subject in his 1999 documentary of the same name. The Plot: A Tale of Two Eras
Kabir Khan (of Bajrangi Bhaijaan fame) brings his eye for sweeping spectacle. The recreation of 1940s Singapore (where the INA was formed) and the lush, deadly battlefields of Northeast India is stunning. The action choreography is raw—bayonets, kukris, and desperate hand-to-hand combat. Yet, it never overshadows the intimate human drama: the romance between Sodhi's ancestor and a female regiment (Rani of Jhansi Regiment) soldier, played beautifully by Sharvari.