{{Short description|Indian Hindi-language series}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2026}} {{Use Indian English|date=January 2026}} {{Infobox television | image = Space Gen- Chandrayaan.jpg | genre = [[Drama]] | creator = [[Arunabh Kumar]] | director = Anant Singh 'Bhaatu' | producer = Premsheela Kumar<br>N. Kumar | based_on = | writer = Shubham Sharma<br>Nitin Tiwari | starring = {{plainlist| * [[Nakuul Mehta]] * [[Shriya Saran]] }} | country = India | language = Hindi | num_seasons = 1 | num_episodes = 5 | editor = Farooq Hundekar | cinematography = Shreedutta Namjoshi | runtime = 45–50 minutes | network = [[JioHotstar]] | music = [[Rohan-Rohan]] | company = [[The Viral Fever]] | composer = | executive_producer = Vijay Koshy | released = {{Start date|2026|01|23|df=yes}} }} '''''Space Gen: Chandrayaan''''' is a 2026 [[Hindi]]-language Indian television series created by [[Arunabh Kumar]] and produced by Premsheela Kumar and N. Kumar under the banner of [[The Viral Fever]]. Written by Shubham Sharma and Nitin Tiwari and directed by Anant Singh ‘Bhaatu’, the series stars [[Nakuul Mehta]] and [[Shriya Saran]] in lead roles.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/movies/television/nakuul-mehta-and-shriya-sarans-space-gen-chandrayaan-to-debut-on-jiohotstar-on-january-23-aa-9815740.html|title=Nakuul Mehta And Shriya Saran’s Space Gen-Chandrayaan To Debut On JioHotstar On January 23|date=7 January 2026|access-date=7 January 2026|website=News 18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/space-gen-chandrayaan-ott-release-date-when-and-where-to-watch-indias-multi-mission-lunar-exploration-programme/a3bf4922e3166|title='Space Gen – Chandrayaan': Nakuul Mehta says 'Bringing the show from inception to release is a journey & a Half'|date=24 January 2026|access-date=24 January 2026|website=The Times of India}}</ref>

Based on [[Chandrayaan programme|India’s Chandrayaan lunar exploration programme]], the series dramatizes the period between the failure of the [[Chandrayaan-2]] mission in 2019 and the successful soft landing of [[Chandrayaan-3]] near the Moon’s south pole.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/space-gen-chandrayaan-release-date-ott-platform-cast-plot-and-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-science-fiction-drama/articleshow/126675000.cms|title=Space Gen Chandrayaan’: Release date, OTT platform, cast, plot and all you need to know about the science-fiction drama|date=19 January 2026|access-date=19 January 2026|website=The Times of India}}</ref> It premiered on [[JioHotstar]] on 23 January 2026.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/space-gen-chandrayaan-ott-release-date-when-and-where-to-watch-indias-multi-mission-lunar-exploration-programme/a3bf4922e3166|title=Space Gen - Chandrayaan OTT release date: When and where to watch India's multi-mission lunar exploration programme|date=29 December 2025|access-date=19 January 2026|website=OTT Play}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/tv/nakuul-mehta-starrer-space-gen-chandrayaan-to-premiere-on-jiohotstar-on-january-23-101767773534152.html|title=Nakuul Mehta-starrer 'Space Gen - Chandrayaan' to premiere on JioHotstar on January 23|date=7 January 2026|access-date=7 January 2026|website=Hindustan Timea}}</ref> The series received mixed reviews from critics, with praise directed towards its intent, performances, and emotional grounding, while criticism focused on its narrative depth, pacing, and execution.

==Synopsis== ''Space Gen: Chandrayaan'' dramatizes events surrounding the [[ISRO|Indian Space Research Organisation]]’s (ISRO) lunar exploration programme, focusing on the period between the failure of the [[Chandrayaan-2]] lander in 2019 and the successful soft landing of [[Chandrayaan-3]] near the Moon’s south pole. The series opens with the loss of the Vikram lander during the Chandrayaan-2 mission, depicting the immediate aftermath, including public scrutiny, internal evaluation, and the emotional impact on scientists and officials involved in the programme.

Across its five episodes, the narrative follows a group of ISRO scientists as they address organisational challenges, resource limitations, and the additional disruptions caused by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. As the team works to redesign and rebuild the lunar lander, the series portrays the process of refining mission protocols, managing setbacks, and maintaining morale, highlighting both the technical demands of space exploration and the human effort behind the mission.

The final episode centres on the critical hours leading up to the Chandrayaan-3 mission’s soft-landing sequence. It depicts the tense descent of the lander and the eventual confirmation of a successful touchdown at [[Shiv Shakti Point]] on the Moon’s south pole. The series concludes by underscoring themes of resilience, collective determination, and incremental progress following earlier failure.

==Cast== * [[Nakuul Mehta]] as Arjun Verma * [[Shriya Saran]] as Yamini Mudaliar * [[Prakash Belawadi]] as Sudarshan Ramaiah * [[Danish Sait]] as Jairam Shetty * [[Amruta Khanvilkar]] as Madhvi * [[Gopal Datt|Gopal Dutt]] as Rakesh Mohanty * [[Meiyang Chang]] as Rohan Tamang * Shreya Singh as Shaheen * Vishwajeet Pratap Yadav as Pramod * [[Saurabh Dwivedi]] as News Anchor * [[Krishna Solgama]] as Lady News Anchor * [[Ishita Sharma]] as Meenal * Awais Ahmed as Awais Ahmed * Taba Reema as Tara Wangchu * [[Uday Mahesh]] as Sankaran Nair * Meenal Kapoor as Ratna Verma * [[Pratik Gandhi]] as Aakash Bhutani

== Episodes == {{Episode table |background=#2B0078 |overall= |title= |director= |writer= |airdate= |airdateR= |country= |aux4= |aux4T=Length |episodes= {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 1 |Title = Finding Vikram |RTitle = |DirectedBy = Anant Singh 'Bhaatu' |WrittenBy = Shubham Sharma, Nitin Tiwari |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2026|01|23|df=yes}} |Aux4 = 35 minutes |ShortSummary = |LineColor = #2B0078 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 2 |Title = Man vs Machine |RTitle = |DirectedBy = Anant Singh 'Bhaatu' |WrittenBy = Shubham Sharma, Nitin Tiwari |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2026|01|23|df=yes}} |Aux4 = 32 minutes |ShortSummary = |LineColor = #2B0078 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 3 |Title = Science Finds a Way |RTitle = |DirectedBy = Anant Singh 'Bhaatu' |WrittenBy = Shubham Sharma, Nitin Tiwari |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2026|01|23|df=yes}} |Aux4 = 27 minutes |ShortSummary = |LineColor = #2B0078 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 4 |Title = Make in India |RTitle = |DirectedBy = Anant Singh 'Bhaatu' |WrittenBy = Shubham Sharma, Nitin Tiwari |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2026|01|23|df=yes}} |Aux4 = 27 minutes |ShortSummary = |LineColor = #2B0078 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 5 |Title = Where the Mind is Without Fear |RTitle = |DirectedBy = Anant Singh 'Bhaatu' |WrittenBy = Shubham Sharma, Nitin Tiwari |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2026|01|23|df=yes}} |Aux4 = 33 minutes |ShortSummary = |LineColor = #2B0078 }} }}

==Release== The series premiered on [[JioHotstar]] on 23 January 2026.<ref>{{cite web |title=Space Gen: Chandrayaan' trailer Out; Indian Scientists’ comeback story, from Chandrayaan-2 setback to historic success|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/web-series/news/hindi/space-gen-chandrayaan-trailer-out-indian-scientists-comeback-story-from-chandrayaan-2-setback-to-historic-success/articleshow/126505367.cms|website=The Times of India|date=13 January 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Space Gen: Chandrayaan OTT Release Date Confirmed- When And Where To Watch The Documentary Show Online?|url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/space-gen-chandrayaan-ott-release-date-confirmed-when-and-where-to-watch-the-documentary-show-online|website=The Free Press Journal|date=14 January 2026}}</ref>

==Reception== Yatamanyu Narain of ''[[News18]]'' rated the series 3.5 out of 5 stars, stating that “''Space Gen: Chandrayaan'' leaves you with a particular kind of uplift: not the loud kind, but the earned kind, built from failure, humiliation, second chances, and stubborn competence.”<ref>{{cite web|first=Yatamanyu|last=Narain|title=Space Gen Chandrayaan Review: Nakuul Mehta Shines In TVF’s Emotionally Rousing Space Saga|url=https://www.news18.com/movies/reviews/space-gen-chandrayaan-review-nakuul-mehta-shines-in-tvfs-emotionally-rousing-space-saga-ws-kl-9850238.html|date=23 January 2026|website=News 18}}</ref> Similarly, ''[[The Times of India]]'' critic Archika Khurana also awarded it 3.5 out of 5 stars, writing that “It is a respectful, engaging watch that leaves you not with awe alone, but with renewed appreciation for the people who quietly make history possible.”<ref>{{cite web|first=Archika|last=Khurana|title=Space Gen - Chandrayaan Season 1 Review : The journey is the star in this TVF space drama|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/web-series/reviews/hindi/space-gen-chandrayaan/space-gen-chandrayaan-season-1/seasonreview/126783537.cms|date=23 January 2026|website=The Times of India}}</ref>

Abhishek Srivastava of ''[[Moneycontrol]]'' gave the series 3 out of 5 stars, observing that “''Space Gen: Chandrayaan'' is neither a perfect series nor a poor one. It succeeds in capturing the spirit of the people who made India proud in space exploration.”<ref>{{cite web|first=Abhishek|last=Srivastava|title=Space Gen: Chandrayaan Review: An honest look at ISRO’s triumph, told without enough depth|url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/entertainment/space-gen-chandrayaan-review-an-honest-look-at-isro-s-triumph-told-without-enough-depth-article-13786807.html|date=23 January 2026|website=moneycontrol}}</ref> Divya Nair of ''[[Rediff.com]]'', who rated it 2.5 out of 5 stars, remarked that “TVF deserves credit for breaking its mould of picking and sticking to favourable and comfortable genres. ''Space Gen'' could serve as a launch pad for more exciting content to come.” <ref>{{cite web|first=Divya|last=Nair|title=Review Space Gen: Chandrayaan: You Want To Know More!|url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/review/space-gen-chandrayaan-review-you-want-to-know-more/20260123.htm|date=23 January 2026|website=26 January 2026}}</ref> Vinamra Mathur of ''[[Firstpost]]'' echoed a similar sentiment with a 2.5 star rating, stating that “''Space Gen: Chandrayaan'' could be a leap for TVF... They have always shone in telling stories about the ground realities of the nation. With their new show, they aim for the skies.”<ref>{{cite web|first=Vinmara|last=Mathur|title=TVF's 'Space Gen – Chandrayaan' Web-Series Review: Nakuul Mehta and Shriya Saran aim for the moon, settle for the ground|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/tvfs-space-gen-chandrayaan-web-series-review-nakuul-mehta-and-shriya-saran-aim-for-the-moon-settle-for-the-ground-13971588.html|date=23 January 2026|website=Firstpost}}</ref>

''[[Cinema Express]]'' reviewer BH Harsh rated the series 2 out of 5 stars, noting that “Except Prakash Belawadi’s sincere performance, there is very little to root for in TVF’s latest series.”<ref>{{cite web |first=BH |last=Harsh |title=Space Gen: Chandrayaan Series Review: Melodramatic, generic, and way too familiar |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/hindi/review/2026/Jan/23/space-gen-chandrayaan-series-review-melodramatic-generic-and-way-too-familiar |date=23 January 2026 |website=26 January 2026}}</ref> Aishwarya Vasudevan of ''[[OTTplay]]'', also giving it 2 out of 5 stars, wrote that “''Space Gen: Chandrayaan'' humanises ISRO’s journey but suffers from a rushed, one-dimensional execution. Despite Nakuul Mehta’s strong acting, the series lacks depth and feels largely forgettable.”<ref>{{cite web|first=Aishwarya|last=Vasudevan|title=Space Gen: Chandrayaan review - Show that fails to find its orbit and crash lands|url=https://www.ottplay.com/review/space-gen-chandrayaan-review-nakuul-mehta-shriya-saran-danish-sait/ac278dc380526|date=23 January 2026|website=OTT Play}}</ref> Rahul Desai of ''[[The Hollywood Reporter India]]'' was particularly critical, observing that “The TVF series dramatising ISRO’s landmark lunar mission is steeped in a lack of curiosity, craft and wonder.”<ref>{{cite web|first=Rahul|last=Desai|title=‘Space Gen: Chandrayaan’ Series Review: Failure to Launch|url=https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/reviews/streaming/space-gen-chandrayaan-series-review-failure-to-launch|date=23 January 2026|website=The Hollywood Reporter India}}</ref>

Writing for ''[[India Today]]'', Shweta Keshri described the series as uneven, stating, “It’s a decent watch if you’re curious about India’s space journey, but it never fully takes off. TVF shows are known for keeping it real but this time they seem to have missed the mark.”<ref>{{cite web |first=Shweta |last=Keshari |title=Space Gen Chandrayaan review: Series on India's space moment misses orbit |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/entertainment/ott/story/space-gen-chandrayaan-review-series-on-indias-space-moment-misses-orbit-2856591-2026-01-23 |date=23 January 2026 |website=The Times of India}}</ref> Upma Singh of ''[[Navbharat Times]]'' rated the series 2 out of 5 stars and wrote that “overall, the series fails to do justice to its impressive subject.”<ref>{{Cite web|title='स्‍पेस जेन चंद्रयान' रिव्यू: लॉन्‍च तो हो गया, पर चमकने में असफल रहा TVF का यह मून मिशन|url=https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/entertainment/web-series/review/space-gen-chandrayaan-web-series-review-in-hindi-starring-nakuul-mehta-shriya-saran-gopal-datt-prakash-belawadi-on-jiohotstar/moviereview/127246064.cms|website=Navbharat Times|access-date=2026-01-24|language=hi}}</ref> Similarly, Kiran Jain of ''[[Amar Ujala]]'' also awarded it 2 out of 5 stars, stating that “the story lacks the depth it should have, and in some places, things feel rushed.”<ref>{{Cite web|title=Space Gen Chandrayaan Review: बड़ी कहानी, बड़ा शोर… लेकिन असर नहीं; जरूरत से ज्यादा इमोशन पर असली कहानी गायब|url=https://www.amarujala.com/entertainment/movie-review/space-gen-chandrayaan-web-series-review-shriya-saran-nakul-mehta-gopal-dutt-know-the-story-2026-01-23|website=Amar Ujala|access-date=2026-01-24|language=hi}}</ref>

== See also ==

* [[List of productions by The Viral Fever]]

== References ==

{{reflist}}

==External links== * {{IMDb title|id=39313294}}

[[Category:Hindi-language television shows]]