Made In India: A Titan Story has arrived on Amazon MX Player, bringing the remarkable journey of Titan Watches and its visionary founder Xerxes Desai to audiences across India. Starring Jim Sarbh as Xerxes Desai and Naseeruddin Shah as JRD Tata, the six-episode series explores how a bold idea transformed into one of India's most successful consumer brands. Directed by Robbie Grewal, the show combines business, innovation, leadership, and personal struggles into an engaging drama. But does the series manage to tell Titan's inspiring story without feeling like a brand documentary? Here's what works, what doesn't, and whether it's worth your time.
Rating: 3.5/5
How Titan Watches Started And The Real Story Behind The Series
The series follows the life and vision of Xerxes Desai, the man widely credited with building Titan Watches into a household name.
Set during the late 1970s and 1980s, the story begins when Xerxes returns to the Tata Group after working elsewhere. A conversation involving JRD Tata and a Swiss watchmaker sparks an idea that would change Indian manufacturing history.
What starts as a simple watch project slowly transforms into a bold mission. The goal was not just to create watches but to prove that India could build world-class products capable of competing globally.
The series explores:
- The creation of Titan Watches
- Business challenges and government hurdles
- Internal disagreements and setbacks
- The rise of India's watch industry
- The people who helped turn an idea into reality
Instead of feeling like a corporate documentary, the story focuses heavily on human emotions and personal struggles.
Jim Sarbh Delivers One Of His Best Performances
One of the biggest reasons the series works so well is Jim Sarbh.
After impressing audiences as Homi Bhabha in Rocket Boys, Sarbh once again steps into the shoes of a real-life visionary. As Xerxes Desai, he brings intelligence, confidence, ambition, vulnerability, and even flaws to the character.
What makes his performance stand out is that he never treats Xerxes like a superhero. Instead, he portrays him as a determined man who makes mistakes, faces failures, loses confidence at times, and still keeps moving forward.
His character constantly balances:
- Professional ambition
- Personal sacrifices
- Leadership responsibilities
- Team conflicts
- Pressure from investors and management
The result feels authentic and relatable.
#Review: Jim Sarbh and the stellar ensemble shine in Made in India: A Titan Story, making it one of 2026’s most gripping and well-crafted shows bold, emotional, and truly unmissable.
— India Forums (@indiaforums) June 3, 2026
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.#MadeInIndia #ATitanStory #JimSarbh #WebSeriesReview IndianWebSeries OTTRelease MustWatch… pic.twitter.com/mEqgbS7r2j
Naseeruddin Shah Delivers A Memorable JRD Tata Performance
While Jim Sarbh carries most of the story, Naseeruddin Shah leaves a strong impact as JRD Tata.
His screen time may be limited compared to Xerxes, but every scene matters. The relationship between JRD Tata and Xerxes becomes one of the emotional pillars of the series.
JRD is shown as a mentor who trusts talent, encourages bold ideas, and supports innovation even during difficult times. Their conversations often become the most memorable moments in the show.
The series also highlights how important leadership and belief can be when building something new from scratch.
the titan story on amazon is so gracefully made. and the story told with so much warmth and pyaar. nicely done robbie babu! 👏 👏
— sujoy ghosh (@sujoy_g) June 4, 2026
How Titan Watches Became India's Most Trusted Watch Brand
One of the strongest aspects of the series is how it explains Titan's journey without becoming a promotional advertisement.
The show covers several important milestones:
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The story explores how Titan introduced modern quartz watches to Indian consumers at a time when imported watches dominated the market.
Viewers also get to see the development of popular product lines that later became iconic names under Titan.
Jim Sarbh, Naseeruddin Shah And Cast Bring Titan's Story To Life
The supporting cast contributes significantly to the emotional depth of the series.
Vaibhav Tatwawadi plays Akash, one of Xerxes' closest colleagues and confidants. His character often acts as the emotional bridge between leadership decisions and everyday employees.
Lakshvir Saran brings youthful energy as an IIT graduate who becomes part of the Titan mission. Kaveri Seth, Namita Dubey, Ashwath Bhatt, Joy Sengupta, Viraf Patel, and others also leave a positive impression.
What works particularly well is that the series never presents Titan as a one-man achievement. It repeatedly reminds viewers that successful businesses are built by teams rather than individuals.
How Made In India Recreates the Titan Journey of the 1980s
Director Robbie Grewal deserves credit for recreating India of the 1980s with impressive attention to detail.
The production design includes:
- Ambassador cars
- Lambretta scooters
- Vintage offices
- Old manufacturing units
- Classic Bombay locations
Real photographs and archival material are cleverly blended into the storytelling, making the series feel even more authentic.
The use of iconic songs from different decades adds another emotional layer. Instead of feeling forced, the music naturally complements the journey of Titan and its people.
Made In India Review A Few Things That Could Have Been Better
Despite its strengths, the series is not flawless.
Some viewers may feel that certain challenges are resolved too quickly. Since the narrative moves at a brisk pace, a few conflicts don't receive enough time to fully develop.
The stakes occasionally feel lower than they should, especially when compared to the massive obstacles Titan faced in reality.
A few business setbacks appear easier to overcome on screen than they likely were in real life. While this keeps the series engaging, it also reduces some dramatic tension.
Still, these issues do not significantly hurt the overall experience.
A compelling retelling of the vision, ambition, and legacy behind one of India’s most iconic brands. Stellar performances by Naseeruddin Shah as JRD Tata and Jim Sarbh as Xerxes Desai make this a must-watch. Made in India - A @titanwatches story: a must-watch, now streaming…
— SUHEL SETH (@Suhelseth) June 3, 2026
Is Made In India A Titan Story Worth Your Time
If you enjoy stories about entrepreneurship, innovation, business history, and inspiring real-life journeys, this series is worth your time.
Unlike many corporate dramas, Made In India: A Titan Story focuses on people first and business second. It shows how vision, teamwork, persistence, and leadership helped create one of India's most successful consumer brands.
Jim Sarbh delivers an outstanding performance, Naseeruddin Shah adds class and authority, and Robbie Grewal tells the story with warmth and sincerity.
It may not be a perfect series, but it succeeds in making viewers appreciate the people behind a brand that millions recognise today.
For anyone curious about how Titan became a symbol of Indian innovation, this series offers an engaging and surprisingly emotional journey.
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