Naam Namak Nishan Review: Remember Left Right Left, the popular youth-centric series that used to air on SAB TV? That show was an enjoyable blend of a frothy coming-of-age saga and patriotic drama, earning itself a cult following over the years. Watching Amazon MiniTV's new show, Naam Namak Nishan, pleasantly reminded us of Left Right Left, thanks to its fun vibe between the leads, patriotic fervour, and an added sense of mystery. This show is a winner in these aspects. ‘Naam Namak Nishan’ Trailer Unveiled: Varun Sood and Helly Shah Star in Inspiring Journey of Young Cadets.

Naam Namak Nishan, directed by Vikram Ghai and Shashank Bharadwaj, centres around Yuvraj Singh Chauhan (Varun Sood) and GC Gurbaz Singh Kahlon (Danish Sood), newly inducted cadets at the Officers' Training Academy in Chennai. They belong to different strata of society—Yuvraj is an army brat, or as Gurbaz calls him, an 'army nepo kid', who lives under the pressure of living up to his father's legacy and following in his elder brother's footsteps. He acts a bit snobbish but has a golden heart. Gurbaz, who comes from a less privileged background, wants to win a medal for India at the Olympics and believes the army is the right path to achieve this.

Despite Yuvraj offering Gurbaz a helping hand when they first meet, they do not start on good terms, with their egos creating needless differences. The strict regimens at the Academy add more drama to their tussles. Slowly, they warm to each other and become friends, as the Academy teaches them to be better soldiers in inculcating the values of honour, courage, and, above all, kinship.

Watch the Trailer of 'Naam Namak Nishan':

After a slew of serious fare in what we like to call the 'Indian military' genre of entertainment, the effervescent nature of Naam Namak Nishan feels very refreshing and much welcomed. Despite the light touch given to the proceedings, the show doesn't compromise on the ideals of what makes a good army person, and it has plenty of moments that inspire patriotic fervour.

A Still From Naam Namak Nishan

But it is in the bonding moments between the lead characters that Naam Namak Nishan shines the most. Varun Sood and Danish Sood are very likeable in their roles, bringing in the contrast needed in their characters, while their transformation and camaraderie are well-etched. It is not just them—even the other cadets in the Academy, coming from various parts of the country as well as, intriguingly, Sri Lanka, manage to grab your attention with good moments given to most of them. Rakshak - India's Braves Chapter 2 Review: Barun Sobti and Surbhi Chandna's Amazon miniTV's Series Triumphs with Stellar Performances and Realistic Thrills.

A Still From Naam Namak Nishan

To add some thrills, there are some engaging subplots in the series, like a secret mole in the Academy. The dialogues work well in their respective situations—some of the one-liners in the playful scenes between the cadets will bring in laughs, while they become more hard-hitting in the scenes where Naam Namak Nishan invokes the spirit of the Indian Army. The combat scenes are deftly picturised.

A Still From Naam Namak Nishan

Not everything works in the show's favour, though. The female characters, particularly of Helly Shah and Roshni Walia's, felt underused despite being crucial to the plot, and some of the regional stereotypes, like the Tamilian ticket checker in the first episode, were annoying when played for comedy. Also, with Naam Namak Nishan spread across 17 episodes, you can certainly feel the lag in a few scenes, particularly in those where the cadets get involved in extracurricular activities. These didn't hamper the overall appeal of the show, but they were minor gripes we had.

‘Naam Namak Nishan’ Review - Final Thoughts

Naam Namak Nishan is an engaging and spirited addition to the 'Indian military genre'. While not perfect, the show still stands out for its charming characters, light-hearted approach, and strong moments of camaraderie and patriotism. If you're looking for a show that blends fun with a sense of duty and honour, Naam Namak Nishan is definitely worth a watch. Check out the 17 episodes of the series on Amazon miniTV.

Rating:4.0

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 16, 2024 08:51 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).