History lovers are often interested in the human drama behind historical events. They concern the behind-the-scenes intrigues, the ego clashes, the cracks of the starring characters who adorn our history books, while not forgetting the impact of their moral stances on the man in the street. These days, ancient and medieval history offers a lot of scope to play with the past, but when it comes to modern Indian history, filmmakers hold back, because the wounds are still fresh and the memories of Partition are fresh.
Riding on Dominic Lapierre and Larry Collins’s gripping, novelistic reconstruction of the end of the British Raj, director Nikhil Advani takes us to the communal core of the Radcliffe Line and captivates us with a dynamic interplay of religion and politics, and a fading light of morality in between.
A scene from the show Photo Credit: Sony Liv
Compared to the first season, the gaze is sharper and more intense as Advani walks the fine line between objective and subjective history. If the first season was told through Viceroy Mountbatten, it would reflect the period when he was the Governor General of India, and hence was not aware of the political intrigues going on in the corridors of power in India and Pakistan. The series does not always follow the voice of the source material, but for a large part, Advani’s balanced approach lets the audience evaluate the events and feel for the people who fought for independence but disputed political control. Avoiding being preachy and preachy while remaining patriotic, his team of writers keeps it sharp, intense and poignant, and even finds room for some satirical humor.
Freedom at Midnight Season 2 (Hindi)
director: Nikhil Advani
episode:7
mold:Chirag Vohra, Siddhant Gupta, Rajendra Chawla, Arif Zakaria, Luke McGibney
Summary: Season 2 of the show highlights the chaotic situation post-partition including communal violence, refugee crisis, integration of princely states and political tensions between leaders.
The second season focuses on the chaotic situation of Partition and its immediate aftermath. It explores the complex process of drawing new borders, the sudden announcement of the partition date, the division of properties, the human toll of mass migration and communal violence, and of course, political manoeuvering. Between events, it pauses to contemplate the division of friendship and loyalty, notes Radcliffe’s moral dilemma, and documents the important diplomatic role played by Mountbatten in persuading kings and princes, or for that matter, the workforce behind the icons: VP Menon, HVR Iyengar and Pyarelal.
A scene from the show Photo Credit: Sony Liv
The show deftly portrays the complex relationship between Patel and Nehru, featuring significant differences in outlook and ideology as well as the deep mutual respect and camaraderie that shaped the new India. At the same time, it also shows the less discussed bond between Jinnah and Liaquat Ali Khan. However, the latter ends up becoming almost a caricature. Jinnah, riddled with ego, intelligence and insecurity, emerges as a solid bundle of contradictions when, in his inaugural speech, he calls for a tolerant Pakistan, shocking even his trusted associates. Gandhi, on the other hand, held fast to his principles of non-violence and peace until his last breath, which makes you wonder, as Einstein predicted, whether ‘such a man made of flesh and blood ever walked this earth.’
Without being blatantly obvious, the series provides a context for some of the major conflicts of the period that we either forget or try to push under the carpet. For example, the story of Kashmir’s accession cannot be fully understood without telling the story of Junagadh’s accession to India. Advani explains the crux of the conflict – the referendum question, Maharaja Hari Singh’s hesitation and Nehru’s friend Sheikh Abdullah’s support – without provoking it. The merger of the princely states is the most entertaining chapter of this series.
However, like the first season, Advani avoids discussing the roles of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and Hindu Mahasabha after partition. Nehru took issue with Patel for not silencing voices against Gandhi’s efforts for communal harmony among the Hindu community, but Advani buried pages of source material when it came to giving a face to the alleged conspirators behind the assassination.
He has skillfully captured the hatred that Jinnah harbored towards Gandhi, but has kept away Vinayak Savarkar’s strong opposition to Gandhi and his ideals. The series neither identifies Gandhi’s killer nor sheds light on his ideological roots. However, it does provide screen time to Madanlal Pahwa, the refugee from Punjab who threw a bomb at Gandhi’s prayer meeting ten days before he was assassinated by Nathuram Godse. Again, there is a context, as Pahwa’s personal pain has been weaponized by a section of ‘nationalists’ when Gandhi urged the Indian government to release the remainder of Pakistan’s agreed share of the cash balance of undivided India, even as Pakistan supported tribal raiders who invaded Kashmir.
A scene from the show Photo Credit: Sony Liv
The production design bases the story on its era, and the cast serves the script. English characters are often reduced to caricature, but Luke McGibney as Lord Mountbatten brings depth and sophistication to the political drama. Chirag Vohra authentically embodies the essence of Gandhi and his moral weight in his lean body. However, Siddhant Gupta’s Nehru lacks the requisite convincing charisma, and his performance is still a work in progress. Although Gupta’s efforts are evident, they are not entirely relatable – especially compared to Rajendra Chawla and Arif Zakaria, who portray Patel and Jinnah with remarkable skill. overall, freedom at midnight is a compelling watch for its narrative ambition and nuanced treatment of history.
Freedom at Midnight, Season 2 is currently streaming on SonyLIV.
published – January 09, 2026 04:18 PM IST