Review by — Ashwini Kumar
During childhood, we learned about India’s independence and struggle that led to partition. We also heard about the stories of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Muhammad Ali Jinnah through school books. As we grew older, political debates and WhatsApp University presented these stories, thoughts, and works through different lenses, tailoring them to suit various governments’ agendas.
Even 77 years after independence, we continue to understand this crucial, blood-soaked chapter of Indian history, steeped in political ambitions, as if we are being taught.
Under these circumstances, Sony Liv’s series – Freedom at Midnight present an unbiased and factual take on India’s independence. The series is based on Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre’s 1975 book of the same name, which is considered the most credible document in the public domain on India’s independence and partition. It’s noteworthy that even 49 years after its publication, the book’s narrative and facts have remained unchallenged.
Nikkhil Advani’s series Freedom at Midnight starts with Lord Mountbatten’s tenure as India’s Viceroy, just months before independence. Mountbatten, accompanied by Edwina, follows instructions from Prime Minister Clement Attlee and King George VI to ensure a seamless power transfer in united India by June 30, 1948.
The series explores the country’s situation, highlighting the Indian National Congress, Akali Dal, and Muslim League’s decisions that ignited division and turmoil.
In 1937, after the elections, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, infuriated by the Muslim League being excluded from the government, gradually ignited the desire for a separate nation among Indian Muslims. By 1947, this led to a situation where the country witnessed massive riots in Noakhali, Bihar, and Punjab.
The seven episodes of Freedom of Midnight story reaches June 3, 1947, where the country’s independence plan involves partition. The presidents of Akali Dal, Muslim League, and Congress announce on All India Radio that they have accepted Lord Mountbatten’s plan. With this, the wait for Freedom at Midnight Season 2 begins, which will continue the story further.
Nikkhil Advani and his writers have adapted Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre’s story, focusing on the essential incidents while minimising populist writing elements. The series showcases Mahatma Gandhi’s personality when he first visits Viceroy House, revealing Lord and Lady Mountbatten’s anxiety upon seeing Gandhi in his simple white dhoti and carrying a walking stick.
The series also portrays how Muhammad Ali Jinnah laid the foundation for Pakistan with the blood of Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims in India, driven by his desire to equal Gandhi and Nehru’s stature. Additionally, it touches on Edwina Mountbatten and Pandit Nehru’s friendship and Saradar Patel’s trust in Nehru’s vision.
Freedom at Midnight has engaging dialogues making the story captivating. Nehru, Jinnah, Patel, and Gandhi’s dialogues have a Salim-Javed flair, such as “India’s partition will happen before my body is partitioned” or “An ordinary man can bring change that governments can’t in years.”
The series excels in set design, costumes, and editing, transporting you to the pre-independence era. The 7 episodes, each 40-44 minutes long, keep you hooked, unless you’re overly addicted to Insta-reels.
This series not only portrays history but also makes you ponder the complexities and intrigue surrounding India’s independence and partition story.
Nikkhil Advani’s casting for ‘Freedom at Midnight is its biggest highlight. Sidhant Gupta’s portrayal of 55-56-year-old Pandit Nehru is impressive, making the bold choice pay off. Chirag Vohra shines as Mahatma Gandhi, while Rajendra Chawla excels as Sardar Patel. Arif Zakaria masterfully plays Jinnah and Ira Dubey impresses as Jinnah’s sister Fatima.
Luke McGibney and Cordelia Bugeja convincingly portray Lord Mountbatten and Edwina, respectively. This talented cast makes the series even more special.
Freedom at Midnight is a daring attempt to retell India’s independence and partition story. Nikkhil Advani not only took on this challenge but also masterfully brought a crucial tale from history’s pages to the forefront. This series makes you realize how complex and captivating India’s independence and partition story is.
