Jim Sarbh on his current reads ahead of 'Made in India: A Titan Story'
Synopsis
Jim Sarbh is reading literary humour classics and recommending an Apple TV series — but the real story is what he's about to put on screen. His portrayal of Titan founder Xerxes Desai in 'Made in India: A Titan Story', streaming from 3 June 2026, could be the most layered corporate character on Indian OTT this year.
Key Takeaways
Jim Sarbh is currently reading 'The Confederacy of Dunces' and 'Me Talk Pretty One Day' by David Sedaris .
He recommended the series 'Widow's Bay' on Apple TV during promotions in Mumbai .
Sarbh plays Xerxes Desai , former MD of Titan , in the upcoming series 'Made in India: A Titan Story' .
The show is adapted from Vinay Kamath 's book, written by Karan Vyas , and directed by Robbie Grewal .
The series streams on Amazon MX Player from 3 June 2026 , set in pre-liberalised India.
Actor Jim Sarbh, known for bringing intellectual depth to his roles, has opened up about the books and shows that are currently shaping his thinking — and the conversation comes just ahead of the release of his much-anticipated streaming series 'Made in India: A Titan Story', set to premiere on Amazon MX Player on 3 June 2026.
What Jim Sarbh Is Reading Right Now
Speaking during promotional events for the show in Mumbai, Sarbh was candid about his reading habits. 'I like to watch things I like. I like to read things I like. I like to spend some time with friends. I like to be around people whose thoughts and approach to life I really enjoy. And I can learn things from. It's like that,' he said.
He named two books currently on his reading list: 'The Confederacy of Dunces' and 'Me Talk Pretty One Day' by David Sedaris — both celebrated works of literary humour, separated by decades but united by sharp, observational wit. He also recommended the series 'Widow's Bay' on Apple TV, calling it something he 'highly encouraged'.
The Role: Xerxes Desai and the Titan Story
In 'Made in India: A Titan Story', Sarbh essays the role of Xerxes Desai, the former managing director of Titan, whose vision drove one of India's most iconic consumer brands from a fledgling enterprise to a household name. The series traces Titan's remarkable rise through Desai's perspective, set against the backdrop of pre-liberalised India — a period of sweeping economic and social transformation.
The show has been adapted from Vinay Kamath's acclaimed book 'Titan — India's Most Successful Consumer Brand'. It is written by Karan Vyas, directed by Robbie Grewal, and produced by Almighty Motion Pictures.
The Cast and Context
Sarbh was joined at the promotional event by co-actors Vaibhav Tatwawadi and Namita Dubey. The series arrives at a moment of renewed audience appetite for Indian corporate origin stories — a genre that has found considerable traction on streaming platforms in recent years.
With its period setting and a story rooted in real institutional memory, 'Made in India: A Titan Story' is positioned as both a business drama and a cultural document of India's pre-reform era. All eyes are now on whether it can match the acclaim of the book that inspired it.
Point of View
Sharp observation, anti-heroic protagonists — is not incidental. It maps closely onto what playing Xerxes Desai demands: a man who built an empire through unconventional thinking in a heavily regulated economy. What mainstream coverage of this promotional cycle misses is that 'Made in India: A Titan Story' is arriving as Indian OTT audiences grow visibly fatigued with fiction and increasingly drawn to dramatised real histories. If the show delivers on its source material, it could shift the benchmark for Indian corporate drama the way 'Scam 1992' did for the genre.
NationPress
20 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Jim Sarbh currently reading?
Jim Sarbh is currently reading 'The Confederacy of Dunces' and 'Me Talk Pretty One Day' by David Sedaris. He also recommended the Apple TV series 'Widow's Bay' during promotional interviews for his upcoming show.
What is 'Made in India: A Titan Story' about?
'Made in India: A Titan Story' traces the rise of Titan through the eyes of Xerxes Desai, its former managing director, played by Jim Sarbh. The series is set in pre-liberalised India and is adapted from Vinay Kamath's book 'Titan — India's Most Successful Consumer Brand'.
When does 'Made in India: A Titan Story' release?
The series premieres on Amazon MX Player on 3 June 2026. It is directed by Robbie Grewal and produced by Almighty Motion Pictures.
Who else stars in 'Made in India: A Titan Story'?
The series also features Vaibhav Tatwawadi and Namita Dubey in key roles, both of whom joined Jim Sarbh at the promotional events in Mumbai.
What book is the Titan series based on?
The series is adapted from Vinay Kamath's acclaimed book 'Titan — India's Most Successful Consumer Brand', with the screenplay written by Karan Vyas.
