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Monday, November 25, 2024

A riveting retelling of past

I've had the pleasure of watching "Freedom at Midnight" Web-Series. Set in British India of 1947, the Series deals with India's inevitable march towards Partition and Independence and sketches the actions, reactions (or the lack thereof) of the protagonists. It was a great watch.  

In the words of Mark Twain, History doesn't repeat itself, but it often rhymes. And a cruel rhyme wrecked havoc as the fruits of British Divide Et Imperia policy were realized. Beginning with the scorn and sly Jinnah's call for Direct Action Day riots, an obstinate and obdurate Congress led by Pandit Nehruji and Sardar Patelji that was caught between real-politik and principles, Gandhiji - a true Saint and Mahatma condemned as losing touch with ground reality, and a Viceroy, hasty and time staved, driven by ambition and helplessness - the Series stands out, in it's portrayal of history, without pampering or caricaturing anyone - unlike many other films/series. 

The casting is simply outstanding. Chirag Vohra as Mahatma Gandhiji, always an ace up his shirtless sleeve, Arif Zakaria as Jinnah - a man scorned and maligned and out for revenge, haughty yet empty, Sidhant Gupta as Pandit Nehruji - nervous, ambitious and aware of the weight of history, Rajendra Chawla as Sardar Patelji - ever simple, strong and straight to the point - all stand out - Kudos.  The crew did a terrific job, bringing to the fore India of the 40s. And, Nikhil Advani deserves all the bouquets. The series is a must watch, for it is a riveting retelling of past.

 

On  "Freedom at Midnight" (Webseries) created by Nikhil Advani, Sony Liv based on "Freedom at Midnight" (Book) by Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins. https://www.sonyliv.com/shows/freedom-at-midnight-hindi-1700001477

Maheeth Veluvali, 
Palakollu.
Monday, 25th of November, 2024