Sony Liv has a sure-shot winner in Freedom at Midnight. Adapted from a book written by Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins, the Indian series depicts the struggle of the Indian freedom movement and how the founders laid the foundation of one of the largest democracies in the world. The seven-episode long Nikhil Advani-created miniseries faithfully adapts the book. Let us look at the cast and characters of Freedom at Midnight in this article.
Sidhant Gupta as Jawaharlal Nehru
Actor Sidhant Gupta, who made a huge splash last year in the Prime Video series Jubilee, helmed by Vikramaditya Motwane, has got the meaty part of Jawaharlal Nehru here. For Gupta, who’s only thirty-five years old, it was a particularly challenging part as the show is set mostly during 1946–47, when Pandit Nehru is almost sixty. But given Gupta had already shown his skill as an actor, there was no reason for him to not excel playing the part of independent India’s first prime minister, and we all can see how good he was. Other than Jubilee, Gupta’s credits also includes films like Bhumi (2017) and Operation Romeo (2022).
Chirag Vohra as Mahatma Gandhi
Inarguably the most difficult part in the show, the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, is played by actor Chirag Vohra. We already know that Gandhi played an instrumental role in India’s independence and is often regarded as one of the greatest freedom fighters of our country. Vohra had it particularly difficult given so many actors, including Sir Ben Kingsley (in Richard Attenborough’s Academy Award-nominated 1982 historical epic) have already played Gandhi But he is also a seasoned actor whose credits include films like Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein, Hey Babyyyyyy, and Billu, as well as shows like Scam 1992, and it clearly shows in his astute performance in Freedom at Midnight.
Rajendra Chawla as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel has to be the most important character in the show, after Nehru and Gandhi. A renowned activist and freedom fighter, Patel was a senior leader in the Indian National Congress party who effectively became (and remained) both the home minister and first deputy prime minister of Independent India. Actor Rajendra Chawla, who previously worked in movies like A Wednesday and MS Dhoni: The Untold Story, has done a very commendable job in the role.
Arif Zakaria as Muhammad Ali Jinnah
Jinnah, of course, is known as the founder of Pakistan. He was also the founder of the All India Muslim League party, which was shown to be at loggerheads with the INC in the show for their very different political aspirations. Jinnah is expertly played by veteran actor Arif Zakaria. His body of work includes movies like Darmiyan and 1947: Earth. Another interesting fact is Zakaria has family ties with the INC, as his brother and uncle were both active politicians and leaders of the Congress party.
Ira Dubey as Fatima Jinnah
Pakistani political activist and also Muhammad Jinnah’s sister, Fatima, is played by Ira Dubey in Freedom at Midnight. She was the first Governor General of her country and a close confidante of her brother. Actor Ira Dubey, who was seen in Dear Zindagi and the very recent Netflix show Scoop, plays the part, and she is pretty good in the role.
Pawan Chopra as Maulana Azad
Senior INC leader and famous Indian Independence activist Maulana Azad is played by actor Pawan Chopra, whom you’ve seen in shows like The Family Man and Asur. In Freedom at Midnight, Maulana Azad is the president of INC who plays a very important role in everything. Like his party, he vehemently opposes the idea of partition but can’t prevent it from happening in the end.
Malishka Mendonsa as Sarojini Naidu
Malishka Mendonsa, who is popularly known as RJ Malishka thanks to her show Morning No. 1 with Malishka on 93.5 Red FM, plays Sarojini Naidu in Freedom at Midnight. Naidu is a formidable name when it comes to India’s struggle for freedom. Naidu doesn’t have much of a part to play in Freedom at Midnight, as she has already retired from the party, but Mendonsa, in whatever little screen time she gets, manages to make a mark.
Rajesh Kumar as Liaquat Ali Khan
Pakistani lawyer and politician Liaquat Ali Khan, who was one of the biggest supporters of Muhammad Jinnah and his demand for Pakistan, is played by actor Rajesh Kumar. Liaquat Ali Khan went on to become Pakistan’s first prime minister, until his assassination in 1951. He also played a very important role in the Pakistani movement. For actor Rajesh Kumar, who is quite famous for his comedic roles in shows like Baa Bahoo aur Baby and the iconic Sarabhai vs. Sarabhai, this was an against-the-type character. But Kumar has enough acting chops to pull it off. His chemistry with Zakaria’s Muhammad Jinnah was quite exciting to watch.Â
Luke McGibney and Cordelia Bugeja as Louis Mountbatten and Lady Edwina
Lord and Lady Mountbatten are very important figures in the history of Indian independence. Lord Louis Mountbatten, who was also a relative of the British Royal family, was the last viceroy of India under British rule, and he was handed the responsibility of making a proper exit from India (by handing over the reins to the ones who deserved them) by the British government. Mountbatten was initially apprehensive, but he did accept the duty and ended up doing the best possible job. After India’s independence, he also served as the first Governor General of India for a brief period of time. Lady Edwina Mountbatten was the wife of Louis Mountbatten, who was known for her magnetic personality and social work all across the globe. She was, of course, the last Vicereine of India and ably supported her husband during the difficult period of transition.
Given how important these two characters are to this story, it was essential to hire actors who could do justice to these roles. Fortunately, both McGibney and Bugeja did an excellent job and made their presence felt amongst the Indian actors. McGibney had done TV movies like Mystery Island, whereas Bugeja had worked in things like EastEnders and Family Affairs.
K.C. Shankar as V.P. Menon
Civil servant V.P. Menon was a very important figure during the time of Partition as he was the chief advisor to Lord Mountbatten and played an instrumental part in forming the plan for transferring of power. Menon went on to become the secretary to the Government of India and worked under Sardar Patel, with whom he was always very close. Menon is played by actor K. C. Shankar in the series.
Supporting characters
Additionally, actor Andrew Cullum plays British prime minister Clement Atlee, Alistair Findlay plays former viceroy of India Archibald Wavell, and Ed Robinson dons the hat of civil servant George Abell. Important historical figures like King George VI (Guy Pinsent), General Hastings Ismay (Richard Madison), Sir Cyril Radcliffe (Richard Teverson) and Pyarelal Nayyar – who was the personal secretary of Gandhi – also appear in the show.
