Made in India: A Titan Story review: Series about the making of a legacy watch brand is ‘pitch-perfect’

To be fair to the makers, the series is adapted from Vinay Kamath’s book of the same name. Therefore, they arguably have the foundation laid out in front of them for it. Even then, many aspects of it could have become rather bland or timid had the makers not infused the material with genuine emotions and if the actors had failed to internalise these elements. Take the visual of an inventor looking at the first-ever watch out of his manufacturing unit, for example. It could have easily gone down a corny path, but you realise the weight of his character’s journey and get a sense of the achievement when Xerxes Desai’s (Jim Sarbh) eyes gleam with excitement. It is obvious that Xerxes and his team have come through many hurdles to reach there. However, what is not all that obvious is how much it means to him. The same goes for every other character in the series. The writing and the performances make the professional achievement seem a personal triumph.

This emotional resonance is kind of amazing, because structurally, Made in India: A Titan Story follows the linear progression of the story with the mechanical precision of the product at the heart of the plot. There are hardly any major twists or turns, partly because the Tata brand itself is so powerful to help ensure that the tide remains safe enough for Titan and the passionate team behind it. However, this corporate backing does not mean that the invention comes easy for the team behind Titan. Even as the destination appears obvious, there is just enough conflict and intrigue in the story to make the journey exciting and keep the audience invested for around six hours, without looking at the time.

Sarbh and his co-stars make the effort behind the process of overcoming the challenges palpable. Ultimately, these are people with families to take care of and other personal challenges to tackle amidst the professional endeavour. Much like the brand it promotes, Made in India does not forget that it also takes people to raise a brand and build a legacy, as much as the creative synergy that comes through their collaborations. Even when JRD Tata (Naseeruddin Shah) faces some humiliation from a rival, the series treats it as a high-stakes event, making us root for the ultimate success of the brand.

It appears that the makers have used some cinematic liberty to make the story relatable for the audience. For example, a sequence from it reminds you of the story about a Ford executive insulting Ratan Tata, only for the latter to buy the same brand’s cars in an all-cash deal years later. There are also references that appear questionable for its period, such as one where a character quotes Arnold Schwarzenegger’s “Hasta la vista” line from the Terminator franchise. There is also a bit too much of Tata elevation that feels odd to listen to in 2026. However, the writing mostly remains authentic for the period and fills the characters with plenty of warmth.