The biographical limited series “Made in India: A Titan Story” chronicles the humble beginnings of India’s most popular homegrown watch brand- The timeless ‘Titan.’ The series highlights the tirelessness of founder Xerxes Desai (Jim Sarbh) along with his team of innovative engineers and marketing department.
Personally speaking, I’ve gifted plenty of Titan watches on birthdays and other special events (fancy Swiss watches cost an arm and a leg for the typical middle class Indian household when I was growing up). The watches themselves are still in peak working condition, treasured and ticking away in a cluttered cookie tin. As such, the subject of this miniseries evoked a sense of nostalgia for me. Having managed social media for a local business, it was also interesting to note similarities between the workings of small start-ups and a now thriving empire.
Building the Titan Brand
The series includes it all, from minor hiccups and major setbacks, such as pitch meetings that don’t go as planned, manufacturing goof-ups, dwindling sales to a market unaccepting of changing times and thus, of changing technologies. These are all portrayed in a realistic fashion. The series also incorporates lesser-known lore behind the inception of Titan, via an anecdote of Xerxes and his right-hand man Akash Dikshit (Vaibhav Tatwawadi) nearly meeting their end at the hands of an unlikely competitor—an underworld don running a watch smuggling operation!
“Made in India” also harkens back to an era when industrialism and ingenuity went hand-in-hand. While there are tongue-in-cheek digs at the current deteriorating state of affairs in India (such as a witty/albeit anachronistic pun on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s promise of acche din/good days), the series also excels at transporting one to a country once well-known for its outstanding countrymen (and women). These include JRD Tata and many more who set high standards by demonstrating class, charisma, wit, and genius — all of which remains unparalleled. The use of archival footage interspersed with perfect recreations also serve as an effective storytelling tool. Further, the series is packed with life lessons on cultivating a healthy, united, and diverse workforce and atmosphere while also acknowledging rather than fearing failure. While at times it feels a bit cheesy or an ad for a big company, it still hits those emotional beats. Â
Strong Performances Throughout
“Made in India” is also propelled by strong performances. Having previously turned in an international Emmy nominated performance as nuclear physicist Homi Bhabha in “Rocket Boys,” Jim Sarbh embodies Xerxes Desai, a man of principles who is both a carefree kid in a candy shop with a tendency to go overboard due to his passion/zeal as well as a firm boss. A scene of Desai presenting his mentor JRD Tata with the first ever prototype of a Titan watch—gleaming much like a father would at the birth of his newborn child—offers insight into a likable individual who took pride in his job (even if the happiness is short-lived due to a glitch).
A watch dial isn’t complete without its strap and Vaibhav Tatwawadi offers a sincere supporting act as the practical minded Akash Dikshit, who keeps the enthusiastic Icarus (Xerxes) from flying too close to the sun. This is particularly true as he goes over budget with his grand ideas. Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah transforms himself into famed industrialist JRD Tata, who utilises the classism, arrogance, and cold shoulder received from European watch magnates to drive his own ambitions. Kaveri Seth is endearing as Megha Mhatre, the head of marketing who hails from a working-class background and leaves her mark in a male dominated setting. The rest of the ensemble shines in their roles too. The makeup department, wardrobe and art design is also worthy of praise.
A Sense of National Pride
Despite each episode running an hour long, “Made in India: A Titan Story” never once made me glance at my watch. It also illustrates that movies/series don’t require pseudo-nationalism nor need to push a vitriolic narrative towards another country just to create an organic sense of patriotism. The makers of “Made in India” have shown that here, which will be retained long after the end credits roll.
“Made in India: A Titan Story” is now streaming on Amazon Prime.
