Freedom at Midnight is a historical drama that’s anything but dusty textbooks and old history lessons. With Nikkhil Advani at the helm, this series dives deep into the political intrigue, personal tensions, and dramatic turns of India’s partition story. Based on Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins’s book of the same title, the series transforms one of history’s most turbulent chapters into a high-stakes drama.

The series kicks off with a cast that surpasses initial expectations. Chirag Vohra’s portrayal of Gandhi feels real and grounded, bringing a calm intensity to the screen. Sidhant Gupta as Jawaharlal Nehru is impressive, embodying Nehru’s charisma with finesse. Gupta’s breakthrough came last year with Vikramaditya Motwane’s Jubilee, and with Freedom at Midnight, he proves he is not a one-hit wonder. Rajendra Chawla as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel skilfully brings out the nuances of the great statesman.

Arif Zakaria’s powerful portrayal of Jinnah is nothing short of magnetic. KC Shankar as VP Menon and RJ Malishka as Sarojini Naidu are pleasant surprises. The series also benefits from performances by the actors portraying British figures pivotal to the story. Luke McGibney as Lord Mountbatten and Cordelia Bugeja as Lady Mountbatten, capture the weight of Britain’s shifting power and politics during this period.

While the acting stands out, the cinematography deserves equal credit. Cinematographer Malay Prakash gives the series a look that’s equal parts elegance and grit, capturing an era on the edge of monumental change. The seamless transition between real historical footage and recreated scenes throughout the series is brilliant.
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The script strikes a fine balance between historical loyalty and engaging storytelling, staying true to the original text while adding a cinematic flair. It’s the little moments that make the series unique. The brief, friendly banter between Nehru, Patel, and Gandhi and the intimate conversations between characters beautifully establish that these larger-than-life political figures were, after all, human.

The storytelling even manages to weave in a hint of the Nehru-Edwina Mountbatten relationship without overdoing it, keeping the focus on the broader political drama. Clever sound design, like the ominous ticking of clocks, builds tension and foreshadows the seismic changes ahead.

If there’s one minor quibble, it’s the pacing. Some personal scenes feel stretched, while other major events seem to rush by. But that’s a small trade-off for a series that otherwise manages to keep you glued to the screen with its storytelling and visuals.

Freedom at Midnight is now streaming on SonyLIV.

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