No matter how much we love or hate stars, we cannot ignore them, as they are the last mile connect between the entire team of film-making and the audience. So, when someone talks about stars affecting the content, it doesn’t hold water, as it is bound to happen. Audience liking someone and then identifying with them or expecting something from them is acommon phenomenon. The same applies to actors in mainstream cinema and parallel cinema, and even crew members like Director, DOP etc…as end of the day the repeat value or future consumption of content is based on expectation.

I picked up the TV series ‘Deadwood’ because of Timothy Olyphant, after I watched ‘Justified’. And I wasn’t disappointed.

‘Deadwood’ is set in the 1870s in Deadwood, South Dakota, before and after the area’s annexation by the Dakota Territory, and charts Deadwood’s growth from camp to town. The series kicks off with Al Swearengen (Ian McShane) maintaining a strangle hold on the camp and how things change when Seth Bullock (Timothy Olyphant) and Sol Star (John Hawks ), who are both ex-lawmen, come to set up their hardware shop.

The series sports many interesting characters (portrayed by an eclectic cast), who with all their flaws drawn towards each other with a single desire—a control of their future/destiny. Falling under Drama/Action genre, the series holds sway over the audience with a complete mastery on all crafts.

Deadwood movie that comes after a decade after the initial three seasons are aired, is also a terrific watch.

In the Episode 7 of the web series—Rocket Boys—there is a beautiful interview scene between the characters of Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam and Dr.Vikram Sarabhai. My first reaction after watching the series completely (ends with Episode 8), was to pick up my copy of Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam’s autobiography—Wings of Fire—and look for a reference to this in his book.

Rocket Boys does two things for you. First and foremost it creates an element of curiosity to dig deep into the real life of the lead characters. Second, it makes us acknowledge the scientific sprit of India and cheer its successes. This is a feat not many can match, in the recent times.

“Rocket Boys” is a brilliantly made web series that dramatises the space and atomic revolution in India. It primarily deals with the overlap of the lives of Dr.Homi J. Bhabha and Dr.Vikram Sarabhai, with the hero in wings, Dr.APJ Kalam,  making his entrance and his presence felt. It stands out in all crafts, especially in writing and production design department, with the lead actors, casting a spell on the audience. The subject matter so Indian yet has the potential to woo audiences all over the world. Wonder why Sony Liv is still not available abroad, especially in USA.

Tail piece: Did I find a reference to the interview in ‘Wings of Fire’. No. Does it matter? No. Do I wish it were true? Yes. Is Rocket Boys a must watch? Yes 🙂