<p>Nikkhil Advani’s latest web series, Freedom At Midnight Season 2, which was released last week, is a must-watch for the times we live in. In an era of war, where bigotry has become an intrinsic part of everyday life, the series urges us to look back in order to understand what truly holds a diverse country like India together.</p><p>Without sermonising or softening the truth, it highlights the social fabric on which India was founded—one woven with ideals of peace, harmony, and secularism.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The show, based on Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre's expansive novel by the same name, talks of the incidents and decisions that paved the way for India’s independence and the formation of Pakistan. Brilliantly adapted by writer Abhinandan Gupta, the show beautifully highlights the pain and the anguish of not just the people but also our leaders during the partition of India- a decision which was taken by a handful of men but defined the future of millions of people.</p><h2>Humanising our leaders</h2><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Partition has been a subject of interest for many writers and filmmakers over the years. It has been 78 years since India got its freedom, but Partition remains one of the most harrowing incidents in history- scars of that moment have left deep wounds on families for generations.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Season 2 begins with Mountbatten ordering Sir Radcliffe to do the needful and draw the lines that would divide the Hindu and Muslim populations into two countries. While Mountbatten seemed nonchalant, it is Sir Radcliffe who seemed reluctant (or so says the show). How to divide people who have lived together in harmony for generations? How to remove people from their origin? A task that seemed monumental and heavy on Radcliffe’s shoulders despite years of experience.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>While the first season concentrated on the incidents and moments that led to the Independence, season two shows Independent India grappling with a multitude of problems. The partition that has torn apart the country, the accession of princely states into the newly formed union, and the Hindu-Muslim riots that ravaged the streets of Calcutta and Lahore. It is a time when both India and Pakistan are taking the first steps as independent nations. While there are celebrations on the streets, the series shows the leaders in anguish- especially Nehru- conscious of how they have had to lose out on a huge chunk of the population and land to satisfy Jinnah’s wishes and carve out Pakistan.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Jinnah, for obvious reasons, is shown as this mad egotistical man, who was adamant to have a Muslim state- the writers also add a human side to the maglanomaniac. A poignant scene shows Jinnah looking lonely at his home in India, one last time as he leaves for Pakistan. No words are spoken, but actor Arif Zakaria, who plays Jinnah in the show, emotes through sheer expressions, delivering how even the toughest of men had a softer side- especially when it came to one’s home and motherland.</p><h2>Freedom, but at what cost?</h2><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Freedom at Midnight, in fact, has some of the most poignant moments, which constantly make you realise that the decision of Partition was not an easy one- and one that never let the leaders rest easy. As Nehru (Sidhant Gupta) delivers the historic ‘At The Stroke of Midnight’ speech at the parliament, celebrations erupt across the nation. Men and women take to the streets to celebrate, and Gandhi(Chirag Vohra) is shown lying in an empty room, facing the wall, unwilling to celebrate the moment that would define Indian history and a moment that he had yearned and strived for decades. The beauty lies in the detailed screenplay, which shows Gandhi tearing up at the stroke of midnight as India makes its tryst with destiny. The emotions are perhaps due to a sense of failure, for he is conscious of how the much yearned-for independence has come at a cost.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2>The problematic neighbour</h2><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Freedom at Midnight was released a month after the country was treated to a blitzkrieg called Dhurandhar. Most of us have watched Aditya Dhar’s detailed, somewhat gory and very long spy thriller. Dhar’s film and Advani’s series both show the complexities that come with having Pakistan as a neighbour. But the treatment is starkly different. Dhar’s film pumps the adrenaline, making you feel aggressively angry towards the neighbour. Freedom of Midnight instead makes you question the divisive politics that the leaders sought in order to get freedom in the first place. A moment in the series has Nehru and Jinnah standing in their respective homes, perhaps reflecting on what has led to the decision of partition, while Gandhi’s voice looms over in the background, foretelling how a decision of a handful of men will cost the future of billions in both countries. The poignant moment makes you think hard. Was the two-nation theory really worth it? For over seven decades, the two countries have been warring, and there have been more losses than gains for both countries. Back then, people lost their homes, their childhood, and their wealth due to partition; now, people lose their lives and homes due to war and cross-border terrorism.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>It's a choice that one must make- which costs us more, to live peacefully or constantly wanting to be at war.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Before anyone jumps in to question whether the show is pro-Pakistan, it must be reiterated that the show is actually pro-peace, pro-secularism, where a PM Nehru is shown constantly pushing for the secular fabric of the newly formed democratic country. Sure, it shies away from naming Nathuram Godse as Gandhi’s murderer instead resorting to a show figure, and instead concentrates on a certain Pahwa- a man anguished at Gandhi’s empathy towards the Muslim brothers in post- partition India, but the show constantly reiterates how the leaders could never fully be free from the burden that Partition bore. It came with a cost, and as Gandhi points out, its impact continues to dominate the politics of the subcontinent, decades later.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Freedom at Midnight, Season 1 and 2, are streaming on Sony Liv.</p>

Nikkhil Advani's latest series Freedom at Midnight is a timely reminder of what our country India has always been known for. The series goes back in time to narrate the darkest petriod of Indian history- the partition- and the consequences it bore. 

Nikkhil Advani’s latest web series, Freedom At Midnight Season 2, which was released last week, is a must-watch for the times we live in. In an era of war, where bigotry has become an intrinsic part of everyday life, the series urges us to look back in order to understand what truly holds a diverse country like India together. Without sermonising or softening the truth, it highlights the social fabric on which India was founded—one woven with ideals of peace, harmony, and secularism. The show, based on Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre's expansive novel by the same name, talks of the incidents and decisions that paved the way for India’s independence and the formation of Pakistan. Brilliantly adapted by writer Abhinandan Gupta, the show beautifully highlights the pain and the anguish of not just the people but also our leaders during the partition of India- a decision which was taken by a handful of men but defined the future of millions of people. Humanising our leaders Partition has been a subject of interest for many writers and filmmakers over the years. It has been 78 years since India got its freedom, but Partition remains one of the most harrowing incidents in history- scars of that moment have left deep wounds on families for generations. Season 2 begins with Mountbatten ordering Sir Radcliffe to do the needful and draw the lines that would divide the Hindu and Muslim populations into two countries. While Mountbatten seemed nonchalant, it is Sir Radcliffe who seemed reluctant (or so says the show). How to divide people who have lived together in harmony for generations? How to remove people from their origin? A task that seemed monumental and heavy on Radcliffe’s shoulders despite years of experience. While the first season concentrated on the incidents and moments that led to the Independence, season two shows Independent India grappling with a multitude of problems. The partition that has torn apart the country, the accession of princely states into the newly formed union, and the Hindu-Muslim riots that ravaged the streets of Calcutta and Lahore. It is a time when both India and Pakistan are taking the first steps as independent nations. While there are celebrations on the streets, the series shows the leaders in anguish- especially Nehru- conscious of how they have had to lose out on a huge chunk of the population and land to satisfy Jinnah’s wishes and carve out Pakistan. Jinnah, for obvious reasons, is shown as this mad egotistical man, who was adamant to have a Muslim state- the writers also add a human side to the maglanomaniac. A poignant scene shows Jinnah looking lonely at his home in India, one last time as he leaves for Pakistan. No words are spoken, but actor Arif Zakaria, who plays Jinnah in the show, emotes through sheer expressions, delivering how even the toughest of men had a softer side- especially when it came to one’s home and motherland. Freedom, but at what cost? Freedom at Midnight, in fact, has some of the most poignant moments, which constantly make you realise that the decision of Partition was not an easy one- and one that never let the leaders rest easy. As Nehru (Sidhant Gupta) delivers the historic ‘At The Stroke of Midnight’ speech at the parliament, celebrations erupt across the nation. Men and women take to the streets to celebrate, and Gandhi(Chirag Vohra) is shown lying in an empty room, facing the wall, unwilling to celebrate the moment that would define Indian history and a moment that he had yearned and strived for decades. The beauty lies in the detailed screenplay, which shows Gandhi tearing up at the stroke of midnight as India makes its tryst with destiny. The emotions are perhaps due to a sense of failure, for he is conscious of how the much yearned-for independence has come at a cost. The problematic neighbour Freedom at Midnight was released a month after the country was treated to a blitzkrieg called Dhurandhar. Most of us have watched Aditya Dhar’s detailed, somewhat gory and very long spy thriller. Dhar’s film and Advani’s series both show the complexities that come with having Pakistan as a neighbour. But the treatment is starkly different. Dhar’s film pumps the adrenaline, making you feel aggressively angry towards the neighbour. Freedom of Midnight instead makes you question the divisive politics that the leaders sought in order to get freedom in the first place. A moment in the series has Nehru and Jinnah standing in their respective homes, perhaps reflecting on what has led to the decision of partition, while Gandhi’s voice looms over in the background, foretelling how a decision of a handful of men will cost the future of billions in both countries. The poignant moment makes you think hard. Was the two-nation theory really worth it? For over seven decades, the two countries have been warring, and there have been more losses than gains for both countries. Back then, people lost their homes, their childhood, and their wealth due to partition; now, people lose their lives and homes due to war and cross-border terrorism. It's a choice that one must make- which costs us more, to live peacefully or constantly wanting to be at war. Before anyone jumps in to question whether the show is pro-Pakistan, it must be reiterated that the show is actually pro-peace, pro-secularism, where a PM Nehru is shown constantly pushing for the secular fabric of the newly formed democratic country. Sure, it shies away from naming Nathuram Godse as Gandhi’s murderer instead resorting to a show figure, and instead concentrates on a certain Pahwa- a man anguished at Gandhi’s empathy towards the Muslim brothers in post- partition India, but the show constantly reiterates how the leaders could never fully be free from the burden that Partition bore. It came with a cost, and as Gandhi points out, its impact continues to dominate the politics of the subcontinent, decades later. Freedom at Midnight, Season 1 and 2, are streaming on Sony Liv.

<p>Nikkhil Advani's latest series Freedom at Midnight is a timely reminder of what our country India has always been known for. The series goes back in time to narrate the darkest petriod of Indian history- the partition- and the consequences it bore.&nbsp;</p>

Freedom At Midnight Season 2 arrives when India needs its secular memory the most

From the magnificent historical TV series The Crown to the patriotic Freedom at Midnight. Here are some of the best OTT series based on historical true stories. 

From The Crown to Freedom at Midnight: 5 best OTT series for history buffs

<p>The historical drama series <em>Freedom At Midnight</em> by Nikkhil Advani has been receiving a lot of love from fans of the genre. The show told the story of how India won its freedom from British colonial rule and what transpired between the political factions of the time, including stalwarts like Pandit Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel and Jinnah during the last year of the freedom struggle.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Speaking to WION, Malishka Mendonsa who played the commanding Sarojini Naidu, a feminist icon of her time, opened up about the experience, working with Nikkhil and what this show will do to fuel conversations about freedom, leadership, and unity in current times.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em><strong>Here are the excerpts of our conversation:&nbsp;</strong></em></p>

<p><strong>Q: What was the experience of playing Sarojini Naidu?</strong></p>

<p>A: I felt a connection with her right from the start. When I read about her, I thought to myself, “She’s so much like the modern woman of today.” She was well-spoken, well-read, and so ahead of her time. She was the governor of the United Provinces and the first woman president of the Indian National Congress. She had been to jail, worked with Mahatma, and had a shift in her beliefs, from supporting Jinnah’s philosophy to trying to bring him to the other side.</p>

<p>I believe, if Jinnah had experienced the same change of heart that Sarojini did, maybe the partition wouldn’t have happened.</p>

<p><img alt="Malishka" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fe9900b9-91ee-4cad-a811-187af7dfb28b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/HORIZONS%20-%202024-12-06T170805.722.jpg" /></p>

<p>Sarojini Naidu was a powerful freedom fighter, but at the same time, was a woman dealing with the circumstances of her time. And I’m a woman dealing with the circumstances of today.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Q: How is Nikkhil as a director?</strong></p>

<p>A: Nikhil pays great attention to detail and takes immense pride in his work. He’s a history buff who spent years researching and writing <em>Freedom at Midnight.</em> It’s been four years in the making for <em>Freedom at Night</em>. I remember we were selected in 2022, and we began shooting for season one in 2024. This wasn’t a typical Bollywood project—it was large-scale, emotional, and deeply rooted in historical truth, yet it had elements of action, drama, and Bollywood flair.</p>

<p><strong>Q: As an actor is it more challenging to play a popular person on screen?</strong></p>

<p>A: The prosthetics were one of the most challenging aspects. From the face mould, where I had to close my eyes, ears, and nose and simply breathe, to the hours spent wearing the prosthetics as older Sarojini, it was physically demanding.</p>

<p>Another challenge was portraying scenes that required us to wear shawls and jackets in the scorching heat to depict winter. On such a large-scale production, even a small mistake could delay everything. The logistics of managing so many actors, all portraying historical figures, were complex. The production team had to constantly remind everyone of the period setting and ensure authenticity.</p>

<p><strong>Q: What do you think audiences can have a takeaway from this show?&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>A: I hope the audiences see beyond her label as the Nightingale of India and recognise her grit, determination, and ability to speak her mind. She didn’t rely on external validation, she knew herself deeply.</p>

<p>What I want women to take away is the importance of being decision-makers in their own lives, speaking up without hesitation, and not seeing themselves as separate or secondary to men. Sarojini Naidu’s humanity, sharpness, and humour were as much a part of her as her leadership and courage. That’s my favourite theme—understanding freedom fighters as human beings, too.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/freedom-at-midnight-review-powerful-portrayal-of-history-we-know-and-yet-we-dont-776451">Read WION's review of Freedom at Midnight here</a></p>

<p><strong>Q: How do you see this project contributing to modern conversations about freedom, leadership, and unity?</strong></p>

<p>A: I love this question because it shifts the focus to what we can learn rather than what might cause controversy. In today’s world, we often rely on hearsay or forwarded messages to form opinions. But history is documented for a reason, and we should look back to learn how leaders dealt with immense challenges, like the partition of a nation.</p>

<p>Partition wasn’t a small event—it was chaotic, terrifying, and deeply impactful. Not every decision made during that time was perfect, and some led to violence and chaos. But those leaders had to live with their choices, learn, and move forward.</p>

<p>There’s so much to take from how our freedom fighters thought about freedom, unity, and leadership. They set their egos aside for the greater good. By playing Sarojini Naidu, I hope to revive those conversations and bring more focus to their humanity and leadership. Why was the partition handled the way it was? Why was August 15 chosen? This project can spark those discussions and give us insights we didn’t have before, helping us reflect on what unity, leadership, and freedom truly mean.</p>

<p><strong>Watch Interview of Freedom at Midnight Cast here:</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/freedom-at-midnight-cast-interview-776491/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>


The historical drama series Freedom At Midnight by Nikkhil Advani has been receiving a lot of love from fans of the genre. The show told the story of how India won its freedom from British colonial rule and what transpired between the political factions of the time, including stalwarts like Pandit Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel and Jinnah during the last year of the freedom struggle.

The historical drama series Freedom At Midnight by Nikkhil Advani has been receiving a lot of love from fans of the genre. The show told the story of how India won its freedom from British colonial rule and what transpired between the political factions of the time, including stalwarts like Pandit Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel and Jinnah during the last year of the freedom struggle. Speaking to WION, Malishka Mendonsa who played the commanding Sarojini Naidu, a feminist icon of her time, opened up about the experience, working with Nikkhil and what this show will do to fuel conversations about freedom, leadership, and unity in current times. Here are the excerpts of our conversation: Q: What was the experience of playing Sarojini Naidu? A: I felt a connection with her right from the start. When I read about her, I thought to myself, “She’s so much like the modern woman of today.” She was well-spoken, well-read, and so ahead of her time. She was the governor of the United Provinces and the first woman president of the Indian National Congress. She had been to jail, worked with Mahatma, and had a shift in her beliefs, from supporting Jinnah’s philosophy to trying to bring him to the other side. I believe, if Jinnah had experienced the same change of heart that Sarojini did, maybe the partition wouldn’t have happened. Sarojini Naidu was a powerful freedom fighter, but at the same time, was a woman dealing with the circumstances of her time. And I’m a woman dealing with the circumstances of today. Q: How is Nikkhil as a director? A: Nikhil pays great attention to detail and takes immense pride in his work. He’s a history buff who spent years researching and writing Freedom at Midnight. It’s been four years in the making for Freedom at Night. I remember we were selected in 2022, and we began shooting for season one in 2024. This wasn’t a typical Bollywood project—it was large-scale, emotional, and deeply rooted in historical truth, yet it had elements of action, drama, and Bollywood flair. Q: As an actor is it more challenging to play a popular person on screen? A: The prosthetics were one of the most challenging aspects. From the face mould, where I had to close my eyes, ears, and nose and simply breathe, to the hours spent wearing the prosthetics as older Sarojini, it was physically demanding. Another challenge was portraying scenes that required us to wear shawls and jackets in the scorching heat to depict winter. On such a large-scale production, even a small mistake could delay everything. The logistics of managing so many actors, all portraying historical figures, were complex. The production team had to constantly remind everyone of the period setting and ensure authenticity. Q: What do you think audiences can have a takeaway from this show? A: I hope the audiences see beyond her label as the Nightingale of India and recognise her grit, determination, and ability to speak her mind. She didn’t rely on external validation, she knew herself deeply. What I want women to take away is the importance of being decision-makers in their own lives, speaking up without hesitation, and not seeing themselves as separate or secondary to men. Sarojini Naidu’s humanity, sharpness, and humour were as much a part of her as her leadership and courage. That’s my favourite theme—understanding freedom fighters as human beings, too. Read WION's review of Freedom at Midnight here Q: How do you see this project contributing to modern conversations about freedom, leadership, and unity? A: I love this question because it shifts the focus to what we can learn rather than what might cause controversy. In today’s world, we often rely on hearsay or forwarded messages to form opinions. But history is documented for a reason, and we should look back to learn how leaders dealt with immense challenges, like the partition of a nation. Partition wasn’t a small event—it was chaotic, terrifying, and deeply impactful. Not every decision made during that time was perfect, and some led to violence and chaos. But those leaders had to live with their choices, learn, and move forward. There’s so much to take from how our freedom fighters thought about freedom, unity, and leadership. They set their egos aside for the greater good. By playing Sarojini Naidu, I hope to revive those conversations and bring more focus to their humanity and leadership. Why was the partition handled the way it was? Why was August 15 chosen? This project can spark those discussions and give us insights we didn’t have before, helping us reflect on what unity, leadership, and freedom truly mean. Watch Interview of Freedom at Midnight Cast here:

RJ Malishka Interview: Freedom at Midnight teaches ‘freedom fighters were human beings too'

<p>Making films or web series based on history and historical figures is always tricky. One doesn’t know what can hurt the sentiments of people and lead to an uproar on social media or worse, a lawsuit. But as Abhinandan Gupta, the head writer of <em>Freedom At Midnight </em>points out, it was a 'delicate dance' for him and co-writers Gundeep Kaur, Adwitiya Kareng Das, Divy Nidhi Sharma and Revanta Sarabhai in bringing to screen&nbsp;the recently released web series.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Based on Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins’ book by the same name, <em>Freedom At Midnight</em> has been helmed by Nikhil Advani. The show narrates the incidents that led to India’s Partition and the formation of Pakistan.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
In a candid chat with WION, Gupta explained that there were multiple challenges in adapting&nbsp;a non-fiction book and fictionalising the characters. Apart from sieving through what incidents&nbsp;needed to be adapted for the screen and what to leave out, the writer said that the team had to look at the leaders with the lens of empathy.</p>

<p>“It was a challenge to find out why they did what they did and try to answer that question without judging them,” explained Gupta. "Seeing them through the lens of empathy to understand what they did at that time and what they felt was right at that time. It was also challenging not to see things in hindsight. Sitting in 2024, from the vantage point of hindsight, not to apply to see things from that lens, but to go back to that time and understand why they did what they did.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>The writer admitted that while adapting the book – which was like a long essay&nbsp;– they had to tweak the timeline. “The book starts in early 1946. Season 1 ended at June 1947. In that one and half years, so much happened that led to Partition. Events that are shown in season 1 are The Shimla Conference, Mountbatten’s coming to India, the Noakhali riots, Bihar Riots- all these events have certain dates and are set chronologically but we had to tweak the timeline to create drama.”&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>On Sidhant Gupta’s casting as Jawaharlal Nehru</strong></p>

<p>While the show has received mostly positive reviews from all across, there has been chatter about the ‘miscasting' of actor Sidhant Gupta as former Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. Gupta, who stunned everyone last year with his performance in Vikramaditya Motwane’s <em>Jubilee,</em> seemed slightly out of place among veteran actors like Arif Zakaria and Rajendra Chawla, playing a character much older than his real age.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Gupta addressed this by stating that the writers had no role in the casting of the show but added, “Sidhant Gupta is young to play Nehru, but he has given a credible performance.”</p>

<p>Gupta also mentioned that since most have grown up watching David Attenborough’s <em>Gandhi</em>, the actors who played the leaders in the film set a benchmark for years. “Besides, it is always a challenge to cast people who are as well known and as well photographed as these leaders whether it's Gandhi, Nehru, Patel or Jinnah,” the writer explained.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/freedom-at-midnight-review-powerful-portrayal-of-history-we-know-and-yet-we-dont-776451">Freedom at Midnight review: Powerful portrayal of history we know and yet we don't</a></strong></p>

<p><br />
<strong>‘Jinnah and Patel were the most conflicted characters’</strong><br />
&nbsp;<br />
As a writer, Gupta admitted he found Jinnah and Patel’s characters the most interesting. “I thought they were complicated people. Extremely vulnerable and sensitive but the outer facade of being extremely strong men. When you read about them you realise they were emotionally fragile and vulnerable. So as daramatists, it was interesting to show the two striking different characteristics of these two people. Not to be mixed how these men were in real life but how we drew them was interesting.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>Calling Jinnah’s politics divisive and him a secular man, Gupta said it was interesting how the leader balanced the two aspects. “He was complicated. He asked for a rigid state while being a very cosmopolitan- secular man in his personal life. Political life did not reflect personal life and the contradictions made Jinnah very interesting.”</p>

<p>Gupta gave both Zakaria and Chawla credit for playing the two characters well on screen.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Nehru was&nbsp;not a reluctant leader</strong></p>

<p>In the show,&nbsp;&nbsp;prominent Indian leaders are shown taking the hard decision of creating Pakistan out of India. In many parts, Nehru’s character seems like a reluctant leader. Gupta begged to differ and said, “Nehru was conflicted, not reluctant. Nehru was an idealist and had a romantic vision of India. He laid a solid democratic foundation for India eventually and we are still reaping the benefits of the solid foundation that he built. I think it was interesting to see how he had to reconcile his idealism with the demands of hard politics. His idealism was put to test due to hard politics and he transitioned from an activist, demonstrator, and idealist to someone who had to take up the role of a PM of a newly independent India."<br />
<br />
Gupta revealed that the team is planning a Season 2 where we will see Nehru coming into his own.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>Freedom At Midnight</em> features Arif Zakaria, Sidhant Gupta, Rajesh Chawla, Ira Dubey, Chirag Vohra and Malishka Mendonsa in key roles. It is streaming on Sony LIV.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/freedom-at-midnight-cast-interview-776491/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Making films or web series based on history and historical figures is always tricky. One doesn’t know what can hurt the sentiments of people and lead to an uproar on social media or worse, a lawsuit.

Making films or web series based on history and historical figures is always tricky. One doesn’t know what can hurt the sentiments of people and lead to an uproar on social media or worse, a lawsuit. But as Abhinandan Gupta, the head writer of Freedom At Midnight points out, it was a 'delicate dance' for him and co-writers Gundeep Kaur, Adwitiya Kareng Das, Divy Nidhi Sharma and Revanta Sarabhai in bringing to screen the recently released web series. Based on Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins’ book by the same name, Freedom At Midnight has been helmed by Nikhil Advani. The show narrates the incidents that led to India’s Partition and the formation of Pakistan. In a candid chat with WION, Gupta explained that there were multiple challenges in adapting a non-fiction book and fictionalising the characters. Apart from sieving through what incidents needed to be adapted for the screen and what to leave out, the writer said that the team had to look at the leaders with the lens of empathy. “It was a challenge to find out why they did what they did and try to answer that question without judging them,” explained Gupta. "Seeing them through the lens of empathy to understand what they did at that time and what they felt was right at that time. It was also challenging not to see things in hindsight. Sitting in 2024, from the vantage point of hindsight, not to apply to see things from that lens, but to go back to that time and understand why they did what they did.” The writer admitted that while adapting the book – which was like a long essay – they had to tweak the timeline. “The book starts in early 1946. Season 1 ended at June 1947. In that one and half years, so much happened that led to Partition. Events that are shown in season 1 are The Shimla Conference, Mountbatten’s coming to India, the Noakhali riots, Bihar Riots- all these events have certain dates and are set chronologically but we had to tweak the timeline to create drama.” On Sidhant Gupta’s casting as Jawaharlal Nehru While the show has received mostly positive reviews from all across, there has been chatter about the ‘miscasting' of actor Sidhant Gupta as former Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. Gupta, who stunned everyone last year with his performance in Vikramaditya Motwane’s Jubilee, seemed slightly out of place among veteran actors like Arif Zakaria and Rajendra Chawla, playing a character much older than his real age. Gupta addressed this by stating that the writers had no role in the casting of the show but added, “Sidhant Gupta is young to play Nehru, but he has given a credible performance.” Gupta also mentioned that since most have grown up watching David Attenborough’s Gandhi, the actors who played the leaders in the film set a benchmark for years. “Besides, it is always a challenge to cast people who are as well known and as well photographed as these leaders whether it's Gandhi, Nehru, Patel or Jinnah,” the writer explained. Also read: Freedom at Midnight review: Powerful portrayal of history we know and yet we don't ‘Jinnah and Patel were the most conflicted characters’ As a writer, Gupta admitted he found Jinnah and Patel’s characters the most interesting. “I thought they were complicated people. Extremely vulnerable and sensitive but the outer facade of being extremely strong men. When you read about them you realise they were emotionally fragile and vulnerable. So as daramatists, it was interesting to show the two striking different characteristics of these two people. Not to be mixed how these men were in real life but how we drew them was interesting.” Calling Jinnah’s politics divisive and him a secular man, Gupta said it was interesting how the leader balanced the two aspects. “He was complicated. He asked for a rigid state while being a very cosmopolitan- secular man in his personal life. Political life did not reflect personal life and the contradictions made Jinnah very interesting.” Gupta gave both Zakaria and Chawla credit for playing the two characters well on screen. Nehru was not a reluctant leader In the show, prominent Indian leaders are shown taking the hard decision of creating Pakistan out of India. In many parts, Nehru’s character seems like a reluctant leader. Gupta begged to differ and said, “Nehru was conflicted, not reluctant. Nehru was an idealist and had a romantic vision of India. He laid a solid democratic foundation for India eventually and we are still reaping the benefits of the solid foundation that he built. I think it was interesting to see how he had to reconcile his idealism with the demands of hard politics. His idealism was put to test due to hard politics and he transitioned from an activist, demonstrator, and idealist to someone who had to take up the role of a PM of a newly independent India." Gupta revealed that the team is planning a Season 2 where we will see Nehru coming into his own. Freedom At Midnight features Arif Zakaria, Sidhant Gupta, Rajesh Chawla, Ira Dubey, Chirag Vohra and Malishka Mendonsa in key roles. It is streaming on Sony LIV.

Freedom At Midnight attempts to humanise our founding fathers, says writer Abhinandan Gupta

Freedom at Midnight will start streaming from November 15 on SonyLIV as it traces what it took to earn India's freedom from Britain and how the political landscape changed dynamically to make way for India's first independent government. WION's Zeba Khan spoke to show's director Nikkhil Advani and actors Rajendra Chawala, Chirag Vohra and Sidhant Gupta about their roles and more.

Freedom at Midnight Cast Interview

<p><em>Freedom of Midnight</em> is a good attempt by makers to revisit India’s struggle for independence from the British colonial role in the last year. Adapting for the screen from a well-read book by the same name by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre, the web show recounts all that must have happened between the then-political factions – clamouring for power, paving the way for Independence, uniting a fragile nation and more. It recounts how stalwarts of the Indian political landscape of 1947 bargained and made some tough choices.</p>

<p>Let’s start with how <em>Freedom at Midnight</em> does not come across as biassed. Since it adapts from a book by authors who were neither pro-Pakistan nor had any vested interests in the Indian side, the seven-part web series sticks to facts. Hence, you can’t say that Nikkhil Advani, the director, had any.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The cast is fabulous with actors like Sidhant Gupta, Chirag Vohra, Rajendra Chawla, Luke McGibney, Cordelia Bugeja, Arif Zakaria, Ira Dubey, Malishka Mendonsa, K C Shankar, Rajesh Kumar, Pawan Chopra, Anuvab Pal, Khurshed J Lawyer, Shreya Nair, Urvashi Dubey, Andrew Cullum play pivotal roles. Sidhant plays Jawaharlal Nehru, Chirag plays Gandhi, Rajendra plays Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Arif plays Jinnah.</p>

<h2>Why watch Freedom at Midnight</h2>

<p>The show is a slow burn in the beginning but it invites you to keep watching<em>. Freedom at Midnight </em>will make you empathise with the characters, the people we have heard about and read about in our history books as Congress tries hard to not let India get divided. The tension is surmountable with Jinnah refusing to budge from his demand of a new nation for Muslims because he fears for their lives in new India. We get to see how heartbreaking it was for the Congress and especially Gandhi to let a line divide the rivers, forests, deserts, and mountains.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It also serves as a historical reminder of how Jawaharlal Nehru, Gandhi,&nbsp;Sardar Vallabhbhai&nbsp;Patel, and the rest of Congress were on one side while the Muslim League’s Jinnah was hell-bent on making the partition happen.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the acting department, Sidhanth does a decent job as Nehru. Post his<em> Jubilee </em>role, he fits right into the role of India’s first PM. Arif Zakaria is excellent as Jinnah and this may be his best performance to date. Another actor worth a mention is Rajendra Chawla who plays Sardar in the show. His part is strongly written and he comes across as the true architect of the new India.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong><em>Freedom at Midnight</em> trailer:</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Pc3Qhwoi8-Y" title="Freedom At Midnight | Official Trailer | Streaming from 15th November" width="640"></iframe></p>

<h2>The story we know and yet we don't</h2>

<p><em>Freedom at Midnight</em> does not come across as a history lesson even once and that is its strongest suit. The show comes at a time when we surely needed a reminder of how difficult and violent our past was, and that many lives were laid to get the freedom we have today.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/manoj-bajpayees-the-fable-wins-top-honour-at-leeds-international-film-festival-in-uk-776437">Manoj Bajpayee's The Fable wins top honour&nbsp;at Leeds International Film Festival in UK</a></strong></p>

<p><em>Freedom at Midnight </em>is streaming on SonyLIV from November 15.&nbsp;</p>


Freedom of Midnight is a good attempt by makers to revisit India’s struggle for independence from the British colonial role in the last year. Adapting for the screen from a well-read book by the same name by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre, the web show recounts all that must have happened between the then-political factions – clamouring for power, paving the way for Independence, uniting a fragile nation and more.

Freedom of Midnight is a good attempt by makers to revisit India’s struggle for independence from the British colonial role in the last year. Adapting for the screen from a well-read book by the same name by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre, the web show recounts all that must have happened between the then-political factions – clamouring for power, paving the way for Independence, uniting a fragile nation and more. It recounts how stalwarts of the Indian political landscape of 1947 bargained and made some tough choices. Let’s start with how Freedom at Midnight does not come across as biassed. Since it adapts from a book by authors who were neither pro-Pakistan nor had any vested interests in the Indian side, the seven-part web series sticks to facts. Hence, you can’t say that Nikkhil Advani, the director, had any. The cast is fabulous with actors like Sidhant Gupta, Chirag Vohra, Rajendra Chawla, Luke McGibney, Cordelia Bugeja, Arif Zakaria, Ira Dubey, Malishka Mendonsa, K C Shankar, Rajesh Kumar, Pawan Chopra, Anuvab Pal, Khurshed J Lawyer, Shreya Nair, Urvashi Dubey, Andrew Cullum play pivotal roles. Sidhant plays Jawaharlal Nehru, Chirag plays Gandhi, Rajendra plays Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Arif plays Jinnah. Why watch Freedom at Midnight The show is a slow burn in the beginning but it invites you to keep watching. Freedom at Midnight will make you empathise with the characters, the people we have heard about and read about in our history books as Congress tries hard to not let India get divided. The tension is surmountable with Jinnah refusing to budge from his demand of a new nation for Muslims because he fears for their lives in new India. We get to see how heartbreaking it was for the Congress and especially Gandhi to let a line divide the rivers, forests, deserts, and mountains. It also serves as a historical reminder of how Jawaharlal Nehru, Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and the rest of Congress were on one side while the Muslim League’s Jinnah was hell-bent on making the partition happen. In the acting department, Sidhanth does a decent job as Nehru. Post his Jubilee role, he fits right into the role of India’s first PM. Arif Zakaria is excellent as Jinnah and this may be his best performance to date. Another actor worth a mention is Rajendra Chawla who plays Sardar in the show. His part is strongly written and he comes across as the true architect of the new India. Freedom at Midnight trailer: The story we know and yet we don't Freedom at Midnight does not come across as a history lesson even once and that is its strongest suit. The show comes at a time when we surely needed a reminder of how difficult and violent our past was, and that many lives were laid to get the freedom we have today. Also Read: Manoj Bajpayee's The Fable wins top honour at Leeds International Film Festival in UK Freedom at Midnight is streaming on SonyLIV from November 15.

Freedom at Midnight review: Powerful portrayal of history we know and yet we don't

<p><em>Freedom at Midnight:</em> Reigniting the passions with which our freedom fighters got together for India to gain its independence from the British colonial rule, the makers have teased a new video teaser.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This is the third teaser of <em>Freedom at Midnight </em>where Mahatma Gandhi urges Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel to offer the leadership seat to Muhammad Ali Jinnah in a last-ditch effort to prevent partition.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>Freedom at Midnight </em>is pegged as a political thriller that captures the dramatic and defining events surrounding India's independence in 1947.</p>

<p>Produced by Emmay Entertainment, &nbsp;Nikkhil Advani spearheads this project as the showrunner and director, while the story is penned by a talented team, including Abhinandan Gupta, Adwitiya Kareng Das, Gundeep Kaur, Divya Nidhi Sharma, Revanta Sarabhai, and Ethan Taylor.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>Freedom at Midnight </em>is based on the eponymous book by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre.</p>

<p>The series features a stellar cast, including Sidhant Gupta as Jawaharlal Nehru, Chirag Vohra as Mahatma Gandhi, Rajendra Chawla as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Arif Zakaria as Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Ira Dubey as Fatima Jinnah, Malishka Mendonsa as Sarojini Naidu, Rajesh Kumar as Liaquat Ali Khan, KC Shankar as V.P. Menon, Luke McGibney as Lord Louis Mountbatten, Cordelia Bugeja as Lady Edwina Mountbatten, Alistair Finlay as Archibald Wavell, Andrew Cullum as Clement Attlee, Richard Teverson as Cyril Radcliffe in pivotal roles.</p>

<p><strong>Watch the teaser for Freedom at Midnight here:</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/h4UHglmA0Wc" title="Freedom At Midnight | Drop 3 | Streaming from 15th November" width="640"></iframe></p>

<p><em>Freedom at Midnight </em>will stream from November 15 on SonyLIV.&nbsp;</p>


Freedom at Midnight: Reigniting the passions with which our freedom fighters got together for India to gain its independence from the British colonial rule, the makers have teased a new video teaser.

Freedom at Midnight: Reigniting the passions with which our freedom fighters got together for India to gain its independence from the British colonial rule, the makers have teased a new video teaser. This is the third teaser of Freedom at Midnight where Mahatma Gandhi urges Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel to offer the leadership seat to Muhammad Ali Jinnah in a last-ditch effort to prevent partition. Freedom at Midnight is pegged as a political thriller that captures the dramatic and defining events surrounding India's independence in 1947. Produced by Emmay Entertainment, Nikkhil Advani spearheads this project as the showrunner and director, while the story is penned by a talented team, including Abhinandan Gupta, Adwitiya Kareng Das, Gundeep Kaur, Divya Nidhi Sharma, Revanta Sarabhai, and Ethan Taylor. Freedom at Midnight is based on the eponymous book by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre. The series features a stellar cast, including Sidhant Gupta as Jawaharlal Nehru, Chirag Vohra as Mahatma Gandhi, Rajendra Chawla as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Arif Zakaria as Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Ira Dubey as Fatima Jinnah, Malishka Mendonsa as Sarojini Naidu, Rajesh Kumar as Liaquat Ali Khan, KC Shankar as V.P. Menon, Luke McGibney as Lord Louis Mountbatten, Cordelia Bugeja as Lady Edwina Mountbatten, Alistair Finlay as Archibald Wavell, Andrew Cullum as Clement Attlee, Richard Teverson as Cyril Radcliffe in pivotal roles. Watch the teaser for Freedom at Midnight here: Freedom at Midnight will stream from November 15 on SonyLIV.

Freedom at Midnight teaser out: Show to stream from November 15

<p>The first look of Arif Zakaria and Ira Dubey from the political drama <em>Freedom at Midnight</em> is out. Zakaria and Dubey will bring to life the pivotal figures of Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Fatima Jinnah (his sister) in the upcoming series. This political thriller drama delves into the events surrounding India's independence and its partition through the lens of influential historical personalities.</p>

<p>Arif Zakaria's depiction is set to showcase the various facets of Jinnah and his journey. Similarly, Ira Dubey's portrayal of Fatima Jinnah, who played a significant role in supporting and influencing his journey.</p>

<p>Expressing his excitement about playing a towering personality like Muhammad Ali Jinnah in the series, actor Arif Zakaria said, “In preparing to portray Muhammad Ali Jinnah, I realised how important it was to depict him as a flawed and complicated human being rather than an untouchable hero. I intend to add dimensions to Jinnah's persona by delving into the depths of his psyche, bringing forth his complexity and revealing the motivations that inspired his acts. I hope to give a more genuine and comprehensive picture of Jinnah by adopting this method.”</p>

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<p>On playing Fatima Jinnah in the series, Ira said,&nbsp;“Freedom at Midnight marks my second collaboration with Sony LIV after Potluck. My role in this series is unlike any other I have played in the past, bringing me a unique yet challenging opportunity as an actor. Fatima’s bond with her brother, Jinnah, and her influence on him is a lesser-known aspect. She played a significant role in his life, standing by him from the start until the end, and the series will shed light on this dynamic relationship."</p>

<p>"When casting for the roles of Jinnah and Fatima in the series, I was immediately drawn to Arif Zakaria for his striking physical presence - gaunt, towering, with piercing eyes and a commanding voice that exuded authenticity. His baritone and clipped British accent embodied the essence of Jinnah. In a similar vein, I chose Ira Dubey for her ability to embody the grace and strength of Fatima. Both actors effortlessly brought these characters to life, capturing the essence of their personalities and historical significance. Working with Arif and Ira was a testament to their talent and dedication, solidifying my belief that they were the perfect choices for these roles," said Nikkhil Advani, who is the showrunner and director of<em> Freedom at Midnight.</em></p>

<p><em>Freedom at Midnight</em> is produced by Emmay Entertainment (Monisha Advani and Madhu Bhojwani) in association with StudioNext and Sony LIV, Nikkhil Advani serves as the showrunner and director. The story is penned by Abhinandan Gupta, Adwitiya Kareng Das, Gundeep Kaur, Divya Nidhi Sharma, Revanta Sarabhai, and Ethan Taylor.</p>

<p>Witness history like never before with <em>Freedom at Midnight,</em> coming soon exclusively on Sony LIV!</p>


The first look of Arif Zakaria and Ira Dubey from the political drama Freedom at Midnight is out. Zakaria and Dubey will bring to life the pivotal figures of Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Fatima Jinnah (his sister) in the upcoming series.

The first look of Arif Zakaria and Ira Dubey from the political drama Freedom at Midnight is out. Zakaria and Dubey will bring to life the pivotal figures of Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Fatima Jinnah (his sister) in the upcoming series. This political thriller drama delves into the events surrounding India's independence and its partition through the lens of influential historical personalities. Arif Zakaria's depiction is set to showcase the various facets of Jinnah and his journey. Similarly, Ira Dubey's portrayal of Fatima Jinnah, who played a significant role in supporting and influencing his journey. Expressing his excitement about playing a towering personality like Muhammad Ali Jinnah in the series, actor Arif Zakaria said, “In preparing to portray Muhammad Ali Jinnah, I realised how important it was to depict him as a flawed and complicated human being rather than an untouchable hero. I intend to add dimensions to Jinnah's persona by delving into the depths of his psyche, bringing forth his complexity and revealing the motivations that inspired his acts. I hope to give a more genuine and comprehensive picture of Jinnah by adopting this method.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sony LIV (@sonylivindia) × On playing Fatima Jinnah in the series, Ira said, “Freedom at Midnight marks my second collaboration with Sony LIV after Potluck. My role in this series is unlike any other I have played in the past, bringing me a unique yet challenging opportunity as an actor. Fatima’s bond with her brother, Jinnah, and her influence on him is a lesser-known aspect. She played a significant role in his life, standing by him from the start until the end, and the series will shed light on this dynamic relationship." "When casting for the roles of Jinnah and Fatima in the series, I was immediately drawn to Arif Zakaria for his striking physical presence - gaunt, towering, with piercing eyes and a commanding voice that exuded authenticity. His baritone and clipped British accent embodied the essence of Jinnah. In a similar vein, I chose Ira Dubey for her ability to embody the grace and strength of Fatima. Both actors effortlessly brought these characters to life, capturing the essence of their personalities and historical significance. Working with Arif and Ira was a testament to their talent and dedication, solidifying my belief that they were the perfect choices for these roles," said Nikkhil Advani, who is the showrunner and director of Freedom at Midnight. Freedom at Midnight is produced by Emmay Entertainment (Monisha Advani and Madhu Bhojwani) in association with StudioNext and Sony LIV, Nikkhil Advani serves as the showrunner and director. The story is penned by Abhinandan Gupta, Adwitiya Kareng Das, Gundeep Kaur, Divya Nidhi Sharma, Revanta Sarabhai, and Ethan Taylor. Witness history like never before with Freedom at Midnight, coming soon exclusively on Sony LIV!

Freedom at Midnight: Arif Zakaria and Ira Dubey first look from political drama is out!

<p><em>Jubilee</em> actor Sidhant Gupta is all set to play former Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in a new web series titled <em>Freedom at Midnight. </em>The maker of the show, Nikhil Advani unveiled the show's first look on social media on Thursday and has Gupta transforming himself to play India's first PM. The stills have Nehru, Gandhi and Sardar Patel engaged in a conversation.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
While Gupta plays Nehru, Chirag Vohra of <em>Scam 1992</em> fame plays Mahatma Gandhi. Popular TV actor Rajendra Chawla is playing Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in the series, which aims to bring alive defining moments from India’s partition.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
StudioNext and Advani’s Emmay Entertainment are co-producing the show, based on the book of the same name by Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins.</p>

<p>Advani is attached as the showrunner and director of the series. The story is penned by Abhinandan Gupta, Adwitiya Kareng Das, Gundeep Kaur, Divya Nidhi Sharma, Revanta Sarabhai, and Ethan Taylor.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FreedomAtMidnight?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FreedomAtMidnight</a> is the story of India's struggle for independence and will recount with depth and authenticity, the personalities and events that led to India's independence.<br />
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Sony LIV in collaboration with Studio Next and Emmay Entertainment brings to you this historic saga. <a href="https://t.co/O1wYv21cbt">pic.twitter.com/O1wYv21cbt</a></p>
— Sony LIV (@SonyLIV) <a href="https://twitter.com/SonyLIV/status/1785901181245563103?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 2, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>According to the makers, Freedom at Midnight is an epic political thriller drama that highlights “several incidents from the year of India’s independence and interconnected stories about crucial events and personalities who played a significant role in writing the country’s history as we know today."&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Advani said Freedom at Midnight is a profound tribute to the “luminaries of our freedom movement — Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel”.<br />
<br />
Freedom at Midnight is produced by Monisha Advani and Madhu Bhojwani in association with StudioNext and Sony LIV.<br />
<br />
Advani was previously attached as a creator and producer on SonyLIV’s Rocket Boys, which followed the life and efforts of Indian nuclear physicists Homi Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai between 1940 and 1960.<br />
<br />
<em>(With agency inputs)</em></p>


Jubilee actor Sidhant Gupta is all set to play former Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in a new web series titled Freedom at Midnight. The maker of the show, Nikhil Advani unveiled the show's first look on social media on Thursday and has Gupta transforming himself to play India's first PM.

Jubilee actor Sidhant Gupta is all set to play former Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in a new web series titled Freedom at Midnight. The maker of the show, Nikhil Advani unveiled the show's first look on social media on Thursday and has Gupta transforming himself to play India's first PM. The stills have Nehru, Gandhi and Sardar Patel engaged in a conversation. While Gupta plays Nehru, Chirag Vohra of Scam 1992 fame plays Mahatma Gandhi. Popular TV actor Rajendra Chawla is playing Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in the series, which aims to bring alive defining moments from India’s partition. StudioNext and Advani’s Emmay Entertainment are co-producing the show, based on the book of the same name by Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins. Advani is attached as the showrunner and director of the series. The story is penned by Abhinandan Gupta, Adwitiya Kareng Das, Gundeep Kaur, Divya Nidhi Sharma, Revanta Sarabhai, and Ethan Taylor. #FreedomAtMidnight is the story of India's struggle for independence and will recount with depth and authenticity, the personalities and events that led to India's independence. Sony LIV in collaboration with Studio Next and Emmay Entertainment brings to you this historic saga. pic.twitter.com/O1wYv21cbt — Sony LIV (@SonyLIV) May 2, 2024 × According to the makers, Freedom at Midnight is an epic political thriller drama that highlights “several incidents from the year of India’s independence and interconnected stories about crucial events and personalities who played a significant role in writing the country’s history as we know today." Advani said Freedom at Midnight is a profound tribute to the “luminaries of our freedom movement — Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel”. Freedom at Midnight is produced by Monisha Advani and Madhu Bhojwani in association with StudioNext and Sony LIV. Advani was previously attached as a creator and producer on SonyLIV’s Rocket Boys, which followed the life and efforts of Indian nuclear physicists Homi Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai between 1940 and 1960. (With agency inputs)

Jubilee star Sidhant Gupta transforms himself to play Pandit Nehru in Freedom at Midnight

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