Freedom at Midnight

It's an absolutely brilliant political thriller that gives an impartial view of the politics, leadership & circumstances that led to the partition.

The strongest points of the series are its brilliant writing, beautiful production design, cinematography, background score & some strong performances from Asif Zakaria, Rajendra Chawla & Rajesh Kumar.

On the flip side, my issues with the series is the casting of Gandhi & Nehru. Though, the actors have done well to play these parts, they are physically not at all similar to them and are also not able to bring all the facets of their persona properly.

Also, it is puzzling & sad to note the absence of leaders like Ambedkar, Savarkar & Bose in the series since they were also actively involved & were prominent figures in India's independence & partition. The series should have atleast briefly touched upon their roles as well.

Overall, a balanced, well researched & brilliant series in today's world where fake one sided political narratives are created on social media to fool people.

The Freedom at Midnight series on SonyLIV is one of the best historical dramas I've watched to date. Its gripping portrayal of India's independence and the Partition is both emotionally resonant and historically rich. Directed by Nikkhil Advani, the series features brilliant performances by the cast, who breathe life into iconic figures like Gandhi, Nehru, Jinnah, and Mountbatten.

The storytelling is immersive, enhanced by authentic set designs and a hauntingly powerful soundtrack. While the pace is slow in the initial episodes, it builds up to an emotionally charged climax. The depiction of communal tensions and political negotiations is both vivid and thought-provoking.

The actors' nuanced portrayals and the show's attention to detail make it a standout. It's a deeply impactful series that leaves a lasting impression. A must-watch for history enthusiasts!

"Freedom at Midnight" deserves a solid 10/10 for its compelling portrayal of the events surrounding India's independence and partition. The documentary takes an unflinchingly honest approach, covering sensitive topics like the Bengal massacres, showing the horrors faced by hindus by communal violence. It manages to present these events without leaning into any biased narrative, allowing the raw reality of the partition's aftermath to speak for itself.

The creators have done exceptional work in balancing perspectives from all sides, bringing a level of depth and integrity to the narrative. The archival footage, firsthand accounts, and detailed explorations of the political tensions between the British, Hindus, and Muslims make the film not only historically accurate but deeply engaging. It brings to light the complexities of freedom and the tragic consequences of division, leaving viewers with a better understanding of a crucial period in history.

This documentary is a must-watch for anyone interested in unbiased historical documentaries. It goes beyond just recounting facts; it brings history to life, allowing us to reflect on the price of freedom.

An absolute masterpiece, portraying the true architects of our freedom struggle. As the film-makers have told us in the tagline, this is the history that we should know. I would go one step further and say that this is the history that we, as a nation, NEED to know, especially in today's times when the true Fathers of our nation are being ridiculed, vilified, blamed, and stripped of all the credit they deserve.

The series portrays the struggles behind Partition, how the Congress, as a whole, tried their utmost to stop it, how the Mahatma did not compromise with his ideals till the very end, how the League tried (and ultimately succeeded) to extort a Nation merely based on the inferiority complex of their leader, and how selfish the British truly were.

My salute to the Director, Mr. Nikhil Advani, and to Sony LIVV for bringing this important piece of history to our screens. My salute to the casting director for being so spot on with his/her casting choices!

Overall, one of the best and most important web series that I have watched. The ending, as well, makes me think that there could be another season of this showing the horrors of the actual partition and the aftermath, especially the contribution of Sardar Patel in the accession of princely states and the vision of Dr. Nehru during his tenure as Prime Minister.

I had read this book almost 45 years ago when I was in my twenties. So I was not sure whether the makers of the web series would be truthful to the book or would put their bias in. I was delighted to see that they were truthful to the book. For those who criticize the decisions made in 1946-1947, should realize that their arguments are based on the luxury of their knowledge of what happened between 1946 and 2024. The series shows the struggles all the leaders were having in deciding about partition. Everyone should watch this series with an open mind. Even Jinnah saw an opportunity to be the leader of a brand new country and took it. After all, he was a politician. Great series, production design, background score.