Freedom at Midnight Series – Press Conference Highlights

On November 6, a press conference was held for the much-awaited Season 2 of the web series Freedom at Midnight. Following the success of Season 1, the star cast of the second season gathered to share their experiences and offer insights into what viewers can expect. The cast members, including Siddhant Gupta (who plays Jawaharlal Nehru), Chirag Vohra (who plays Mahatma Gandhi), and Rajendra Chawla (who plays Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel), answered questions from the media about their roles and the series. Here's a recap of their discussion:

Siddhant Gupta (Jawaharlal Nehru)

Siddhant Gupta, who portrays Jawaharlal Nehru in the series, shared that he first learned about the character when he received the script. Before that, his knowledge of Nehru was limited to basic facts, like his being India’s first Prime Minister and fondly called "Chacha Nehru." However, when he began his research as an actor, he was struck by the depth and magnitude of Nehru's character.

Gupta explained, "I realized that Nehru was far more than just a political figure. He was a man of vision and conviction, and understanding his significance was a journey in itself. I hope when you watch the show, you will feel the same truth and reverence for Nehru that we experienced while portraying him."

Rajendra Chawla (Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel)

TV actor Rajendra Chawla, who plays Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, spoke about how his understanding of Patel evolved after taking on the role. "Before playing Patel, I knew very little about him. But as I began preparing for the role, I was awestruck by his contributions to the nation. I came to realize just how instrumental Patel was in unifying India. If it weren't for him, India might not have been able to integrate over 550 princely states. I am deeply grateful to the directors M.A. and Nikhil Sir for giving me this opportunity."

Chawla further added, "When you portray a character, you dig deep to understand their essence. I found myself falling in love with Sardar Patel’s character, especially after learning about his pivotal role in India’s freedom struggle."

Chirag Vohra (Mahatma Gandhi)

Chirag Vohra, who plays Mahatma Gandhi in the series, expressed his gratitude for being able to portray such a revered figure. He stated, "Mahatma Gandhi is known worldwide as the Father of the Nation, a man who lived a life of simplicity and always put the country ahead of himself and his family. To play such a person, someone who worked tirelessly to keep the nation united, was a great honor."

Vohra explained that the series, based on the book Freedom at Midnight, delves into the events surrounding the partition of India, including Gandhi’s emotional trauma and his unwavering commitment to non-violence. "We’ve tried to bring his greatness and selflessness to life in this series. I hope viewers will feel the same admiration for Gandhi that I experienced while portraying him."

On the Challenges of Playing Real-Life Icons

The cast members also spoke about the challenges of portraying such iconic personalities and whether they were influenced by previous portrayals of these figures in films or shows.

Rajendra Chawla stated, "I didn’t watch any previous portrayals of Patel. For me, it was important to follow the vision of the director. Every actor who has played Patel has done so brilliantly, but as an actor, I felt it was essential to bring my own interpretation to the character based on the director's guidance."

Chirag Vohra added, "The script was in development for over four years. We were given the entire season's script from the beginning, and instead of watching others’ portrayals, I studied real photos and videos of Gandhi. My goal was to bring an authentic representation of Gandhi to the screen."

The Impact of Playing Real-Life Figures

When asked about the pressure of playing real-life figures, particularly when millions of people still revere them, Siddhant Gupta shared, "I come from a conservative family in Jammu, and growing up, there was always a certain fear about taking on challenging roles. But when I was given the opportunity to play Nehru, it helped me overcome that fear. Nehru often said, 'Don’t make friends with fear because it confines you.' Playing this role taught me to confront and conquer my own doubts."

Rajendra Chawla admitted, "It was daunting because if you make even the slightest mistake while portraying such an iconic figure, the audience will criticize you. But after reading the script, I realized that my fear was unnecessary. I just focused on doing the best I could, knowing that if it was good, people would appreciate it, and if not, they had every right to express their opinions."

Chirag Vohra shared a similar sentiment, "It was both a privilege and a challenge. But as an actor, challenges keep you alive, and we gave our best to bring these characters to life. Now, the rest is up to the audience."

The Book vs. The Series

The series is based on the book Freedom at Midnight by Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins. The story delves into the moments before and during India’s partition, showcasing the personal and political struggles of figures like Gandhi, Nehru, and Patel. Some controversial aspects of the book have been discussed, particularly regarding the political choices made during India’s independence movement.

Chawla addressed this, saying, "Yes, the series does explore the complex decisions made during that time. For example, while Patel had more votes in favor of becoming the Prime Minister, it was Gandhi’s decision to support Nehru. Such decisions might not have made sense at the time, but they were guided by a larger vision, which we try to portray in the series."

Gupta elaborated, "At first, I also didn’t understand why Gandhi made certain choices. But as I learned more, I realized that their ultimate goal was the same: to unite the country and lead it to independence. They may have had different paths, but their vision was aligned. The series sheds light on these decisions, and I believe the truth behind these choices will become clear when viewers watch the show."

Freedom at Midnight is a political thriller based on the book by Lapierre and Collins, which covers the dramatic moments surrounding India's independence and partition. The series is set to air on the OTT platform Sony Liv on November 15. Along with Siddhant, Chirag, and Rajendra, the series also stars Arif Zakaria, Ira Dubey, Malishka Mendonsa, and Rajesh Kumar.

By Priyanka Yadav

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