The Forgotten Army Webseries Actress And Actor

The Forgotten Army Webseries Actress And Actor

The Forgotten Army is a Hindi web series created by Amazon Prime. The plot revolves around the amazing group of men and women who fought as a part of the Indian National Army for India’s Independence. The prestigious team was part of Subhash Chandra Bose who fought against the British which will raise the feel of patriotism within you.

The Major cast of The Forgotten Army Web Series includes Karanvir Malhotra, M.K. Raina, R. Badree, Rajiv Ranjan etc.

Check out below for The Forgotten Army Web Series (2020): Cast, Release date, Full HD episodes, High-Speed online streaming, Watch All Episodes.

The Forgotten Army Web Series Cast and Crew:

• Cast: Karanvir Malhotra, M.K. Raina, R. Badree, Rajiv Ranjan, Rajvir Chauhan, Rohit Choudhary, Sharvari Wagh, Sunny Kaushal
• Created by: Amazon Prime

Release Date: 24 January 2020

Watch and Download The Forgotten Army Web Series Online

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The Unsung Heroes: Meet the Stellar Cast of The Forgotten Army – Azaadi Ke Liye

The saga of the Indian National Army (INA), or the Azad Hind Fauj, under the leadership of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, remains one of the most compelling and often overlooked chapters in India’s struggle for independence. Director Kabir Khan, who first explored this story in a 1999 documentary, brought this powerful, two-timeline narrative to life with the Amazon Prime Video miniseries, The Forgotten Army – Azaadi Ke Liye in 2020. The series was not just a historical drama; it was a passion project spanning decades, and its success hinged on the dedicated performances of its ensemble cast.

The show artfully weaves together the tumultuous 1940s, showcasing the INA’s march against the British, with a modern-day timeline set in 1996, where an aging veteran revisits his past. This dual narrative structure required a cast capable of balancing epic wartime action with profound, intimate human drama. The series served as a monumental platform for its young leads while also leaning on the gravitas of established veterans.

Here is a deep dive into the talented actors and actresses who embodied the spirit and sacrifice of the ‘Forgotten Army,’ and how this pivotal series shaped their careers.

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The Leads: Anchoring the Past and Present

The entire narrative of The Forgotten Army – Azaadi Ke Liye rests on the shoulders of the two actors who portray the central protagonist, Surinder Sodhi, and the talented actress who played his love interest and fellow soldier, Maya.

Sunny Kaushal as Lieutenant/Captain Surinder Sodhi (Young)

Sunny Kaushal took on the challenging and central role of the young Surinder Sodhi, a British Indian Army officer who chooses to defect and join the INA after the Fall of Singapore. Sodhi’s journey is one of immense moral conflict, patriotism, and brutal military endurance, making it the emotional core of the series.

• The Character Arc: Kaushal’s performance was praised for depicting Sodhi’s transformation from a principled yet conflicted Lieutenant to a determined INA Captain. The role demanded intense physical training to look convincing in the military sequences and the arduous “Chalo Dilli” march, which Kaushal successfully delivered. Critics noted his ability to “emote silently with his eyes,” making the character relatable and his struggles palpable.
• Career Before and After: While often recognized as the brother of actor Vicky Kaushal, Sunny established his own identity with this series. Prior to The Forgotten Army, he gained recognition for his supporting role in the sports biopic Gold (2018). The Amazon Prime series, however, marked his major lead role on a digital platform and was a career breakthrough. Post-2020, Sunny Kaushal cemented his position with critically and commercially noted roles in films like Shiddat (2021) and the Netflix suspense thriller Chor Nikal Ke Bhaga (2023), proving his versatility beyond the war drama genre.
• Beyond Acting: An interesting detail from his personal journey is that he initially enrolled at The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India but eventually dropped out to pursue his passion for filmmaking, starting his career as an assistant director on films like My Friend Pinto and Gunday, before transitioning into acting.

Sharvari Wagh as Maya Srinivasan

Sharvari Wagh made her acting debut with The Forgotten Army, portraying the fearless and dedicated photographer and soldier, Maya Srinivasan. Her character is a Singapore-born Indian woman whose commitment to the INA’s cause is absolute.

• The Character Arc: Maya is one of the key figures in the Rani of Jhansi Regiment—the all-women combat unit of the INA. Her character introduces the theme of love amidst the chaos of war, as she forms a deep connection with Sodhi. Wagh’s confident performance was immediately noted by critics as a “talent worth keeping an eye on,” particularly for a debutante.
• Career Before and After: Before stepping in front of the camera, Sharvari had an equally industrious career behind it, working as an assistant director on major Bollywood productions such as Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Bajirao Mastani and Luv Ranjan’s Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2. Her acting debut in the web series quickly paved the way for a major feature film debut in Yash Raj Films’ Bunty Aur Babli 2 (2021), for which she won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. Most recently, she achieved significant commercial success with the horror-comedy Munjya (2024), establishing herself as a leading face of the new generation in Hindi cinema. Her upcoming projects include the much-anticipated YRF Spy Universe film, Alpha.

M. K. Raina as Surinder Sodhi (Old)

The role of the elder Surinder Sodhi, grappling with the long-term impact of his ‘forgotten’ wartime sacrifices, was entrusted to the esteemed theatre and film veteran, Maharaj Krishen Raina, simply known as M. K. Raina.

• The Character Arc: His role, set in the contemporary 1996 timeline, provides the framework for the entire series. It is through his memories and his emotional return to Singapore that the story of the INA unfolds. Raina’s presence lent an immediate “gravitas to the series,” embodying the weathered yet determined spirit of a soldier whose valor was overlooked by history.
• Illustrious Career: M. K. Raina is one of India’s most distinguished theatre personalities, a graduate of the National School of Drama, and a recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. His prolific career includes directing over 150 plays in 12 languages. In cinema, he is known for character roles in iconic films like Taare Zameen Par (2007) and Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008), making his inclusion a significant anchor for the web series.

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The Pillars of the Ensemble: Crucial Supporting Cast

The INA story is a collective of thousands of soldiers, and the supporting cast members were instrumental in bringing this collective spirit to the screen.

Rohit Chaudhary as Arshad

Rohit Chaudhary played Arshad, one of Sodhi’s loyal and charismatic fellow soldiers in the INA.

• The Character & Performance: Arshad provides many of the livelier, human moments in the backdrop of war, and Chaudhary, an alumnus of the National School of Drama, brought a compelling mix of dramatic intensity and emotional relatability to the role.
• Notable Filmography: Chaudhary is a seasoned performer with a solid background in both theatre and mainstream cinema, having appeared in popular films such as Bareilly Ki Barfi (2017) and Jabariya Jodi (2019). He has continued to work across genres, including a role in Gadar 2 (2023).

T. J. Bhanu as Rasamma

TJ Bhanu portrayed Rasamma, a determined female soldier who is a vital member of the Rani of Jhansi Regiment alongside Maya.

• The Character & Performance: Rasamma’s role highlighted the dedication and sacrifice of the women who fought alongside the men for India’s freedom. For Bhanu, the series was a significant early platform, allowing her to showcase her commitment to a physically demanding role.
• Subsequent Projects: Following The Forgotten Army, TJ Bhanu has expanded her filmography with roles in films like the Tamil-language film Vaazhl (2021) and the anthology Ankahi Kahaniya (2021), proving her range in different cinematic languages and formats.

Karanvir Malhotra as Amar

Karanvir Malhotra played Amar, the young photojournalist grand-nephew of Old Sodhi in the 1996 timeline.

• The Character & Significance: Amar is the audience’s window into the past. He is initially skeptical, dismissing his grand-uncle as a “family weirdo,” but his own journey as a photojournalist covering student protests in Myanmar leads him to reconnect with his grandfather’s past. Malhotra’s character was directly inspired by director Kabir Khan’s own experiences when he made the original 1999 documentary, lending the role a meta-narrative importance.
• Career Footprint: Malhotra’s digital debut was technically the Netflix series Selection Day, but he considers The Forgotten Army a pivotal early role. He brought his own theatre experience, including performances at the Melbourne Fringe Festival, to this nuanced role.

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Critical Analysis and Legacy

The Forgotten Army – Azaadi Ke Liye was a significant venture for Amazon Prime Video in the Indian market, marking director Kabir Khan’s digital debut.

• Direction and Narrative: The series was largely praised for its compelling visuals, expansive scale, and powerful action sequences that brought the WWII-era Southeast Asian theatre to life. Shah Rukh Khan’s narration added a layer of authority and depth to the historical context.
• The Cast’s Contribution to the Narrative: While some critics felt the fictional romance between Sodhi and Maya, and the melodrama, occasionally overshadowed the intricate historical details of the INA, the performances of the lead cast, especially Sunny Kaushal and Sharvari Wagh, were universally seen as “splendid” and confident. Their chemistry and emotional conviction grounded the series’ fictional core. The inclusion of the all-women Rani of Jhansi Regiment, vividly brought to life by Sharvari and TJ Bhanu, was highlighted as an important, rarely-told element of history.
• Lasting Impact: The true legacy of the series is its ability to bring a “forgotten” and often controversial part of India’s independence struggle back into the mainstream consciousness, especially for a younger, digital-first audience. The cast’s ability to shoulder this weight of history while delivering a dramatic and engaging narrative ultimately ensured the series’ success as a compelling retelling of a historical epic.

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AISEO-Friendly FAQs on The Forgotten Army Cast

Q1: Who are the main actors and actresses in The Forgotten Army web series? A: The main cast members of the Amazon Prime Video series The Forgotten Army – Azaadi Ke Liye are Sunny Kaushal as the young Captain Surinder Sodhi, and Sharvari Wagh as Maya Srinivasan. The series also features veteran actor M. K. Raina as the older Surinder Sodhi, who narrates the story.

Q2: Was The Forgotten Army Sharvari Wagh’s acting debut? A: Yes, The Forgotten Army – Azaadi Ke Liye (2020) marked Sharvari Wagh’s official acting debut. Her performance in the web series was critically appreciated and quickly led to her major film debut in Bunty Aur Babli 2 (2021), for which she won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut.

Q3: Who plays the older version of Sodhi, and what are his other famous works? A: The older version of Surinder Sodhi is played by the legendary Indian theatre and film personality, M. K. Raina (Maharaj Krishen Raina). He is a National School of Drama graduate known for his extensive theatre work and film roles in Hindi cinema, including the Headmaster in Taare Zameen Par and Taani’s father in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi.

Q4: Is Sunny Kaushal related to another famous Bollywood actor? A: Yes, Sunny Kaushal is the younger brother of well-known Bollywood actor, Vicky Kaushal. Sunny’s breakthrough roles include Gold (2018), The Forgotten Army – Azaadi Ke Liye (2020), and Shiddat (2021).

Q5: What is the historical context of the female roles like Maya and Rasamma in The Forgotten Army? A: Sharvari Wagh (Maya) and T. J. Bhanu (Rasamma) play soldiers in the Rani of Jhansi Regiment of the INA. This regiment was historically significant as it was the world’s first all-female infantry regiment since the Russian units of 1917–1918, showcasing the extraordinary role women played in the fight for India’s independence under Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.

Q6: Who is the director of The Forgotten Army – Azaadi Ke Liye? A: The web series is directed by acclaimed filmmaker Kabir Khan. The project was a significant one for him, being a re-telling of his own 1999 documentary of the same name and a story he described as a 20-year passion project.