Saare Jahan Se Accha: Makers recreate elements of Karachi in Mumbai and Chandigarh

When Netflix India unveiled its 2025 slate in February, one of many exhibits that caught consideration was Pratik Gandhi`s Saare Jahan Se Accha. Set within the Nineteen Seventies, the spy thriller — which additionally stars Tillotama Shome, Rajat Kapoor, and Sunny Hinduja — revolves round an Indian secret agent who is shipped to Pakistan to cease it from turning into a nuclear pressure. Sources point out that with a piece of the collection set in Pakistan, director Sumit Purohit and his crew needed to recreate elements of the nation in India.

A supply mentioned, “Greater than half the story is ready within the neighbouring nation. Because the unit couldn’t journey to Pakistan, large units reflecting Karachi have been made in Mumbai and Chandigarh. One was constructed on the Golden Tobacco Manufacturing unit in Vile Parle, Mumbai, and a Karachi market was recreated at an area market in Chandigarh.” Sejal Shah and Bhavesh Mandalia, who not too long ago backed Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s Costao, function the collection’ producers and showrunners. “It’s one in all Netflix India’s largest collection, with a funds of round Rs 100 crore,” added the supply.

Saare Jahan Se Accha comes as the most recent providing from Gandhi, who’s on an upward streak with Madgaon Categorical (2024), Do Aur Do Pyaar (2024), and Dhoom Dhaam earlier this 12 months. However not like these initiatives, the spy thriller will see him step into a gray position — one thing that he excels in, if his breakthrough present Rip-off 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story (2020) was any indication. “The makers wanted somebody who may give a robust efficiency, and Pratik match the invoice. He’s taking part in a posh character — underneath the duvet of being a diplomat, he’s an R&AW [Research and Analysis Wing] agent who stops Pakistan’s nuclear program. The position has been impressed by totally different real-life Indian spies. The present depicts the interval when late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was on the helm, and RN Kao was heading R&AW, as India and Pakistan have been attempting to edge out each other within the nuclear arms race.” 

Initially, the six-episode collection was titled For Your Eyes Solely. What introduced on the rechristening? The supply added that it was a mutual determination between the makers and the streaming big. “All of the stakeholders felt Saare Jahan Se Accha was a greater match because it’s desi and displays the present’s patriotic theme.”