Indian series "Freedom at Midnight," exploring Jinnah's role in independence movement to be unveiled soon

Indian series "Freedom at Midnight," shedding light on the pivotal role of Muhammad Ali Jinnah in the independence movement is set to be unveiled soon. 

The series drew inspiration from the acclaimed 1975 book of the same name by Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins.

The project is helmed by Nikkhil Advani, a seasoned director known for Bollywood hits like "Kal Ho Naa Ho" and "Salaam-e-Ishq." Advani serves as the director of this historical drama.

Indian actor Arif Zakaria, who has appeared in films like "Darmiyaan" and "1947: Earth," will portray Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Zakaria previously portrayed Jawaharlal Nehru in the ZEE5 series "Hutatma."

“In preparing to portray Mohammed Ali Jinnah, I realised how important it was to depict him as a flawed and complicated human being rather than an untouchable hero," the lifestyle magazine "Variety" quoted him as saying.

Advani took to Instagram to reveal details about the upcoming series, stating, “Any historical retelling of the Partition of the sub-continent is incomplete without Mohammad Ali Jinnah.”

“Hardly anyone knows anything about Fatima Jinnah. Always in the shadow of her brother, Ira [Dubey] has worked so hard to bring out the layers of this complicated relationship,” he added.

Variety reported that the political thriller delves into India’s independence movement, combining “untold tales and critical moments from the era when the country’s then British colonial rulers partitioned the country into India and Pakistan in 1947”.

The series will also explore the life of Fatima Jinnah, who will be portrayed by Ira Dubey.

“My role in this series is unlike any other I have played in the past, bringing me a unique yet challenging opportunity as an actor,” Dubey said.

Filmmaker Advani explained his decision to cast Zakaria and Dubey in the pivotal roles saying that the actors effortlessly capture the essence of both personalities. 

“His baritone and clipped British accent embodied the essence of Jinnah. In a similar vein, I chose Ira Dubey for her ability to embody the grace and strength of Fatima. Both actors effortlessly brought these characters to life, capturing the essence of their personalities and historical significance. Working with Arif and Ira was a testament to their talent and dedication, solidifying my belief that they were the perfect choices for these roles,” the director said.

Produced by Monisha Advani and Madhu Bhojwani for Emmay Entertainment in partnership with StudioNext and Sony LI the series in penned by  Abhinandan Gupta, Adwitiya Kareng Das, Gundeep Kaur, Divya Nidhi Sharma, Revanta Sarabhai and Ethan Taylor.

It features Sidhant Gupta as Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of independent India, Chirag Vohra as Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi, and Rajendra Chawla as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who served as the first deputy prime minister and home minister of independent India.

The show will stream on SonyLiv in 2024, however, the exact release date remains under wraps.