When filmmaker Nikkhil Advani was initially offered the chance to adapt the monumental book 'Freedom at Midnight' into a web series, his first reaction was a mix of awe and apprehension. The sheer scale of Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre's historical narrative, covering the turbulent final days of British rule and the painful birth of India and Pakistan, seemed overwhelmingly difficult to translate to screen.
From Daunting Idea to Defining Project
Advani received the proposal during the wrap party for his acclaimed series 'Rocket Boys'. He confessed to giving a nervous laugh and asking the executives, "Karenge kaise?" (How will we do it?). Despite the initial fear, the opportunity to delve into the private political conversations and high-stakes drama of the Partition era was too compelling to refuse. He eventually took on the directorial reins of this ambitious project, with its second season premiering on SonyLIV.
For Advani, achieving authenticity and capturing the correct scale were non-negotiable for the series' impact. One of his primary ambitions was to film inside the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, the historic Viceroy's House where Lord Mountbatten and his wife Edwina resided. This plan, however, quickly ran into practical roadblocks.
"We wanted to shoot in the Rashtrapati Bhavan but the amount of equipment we wanted was a security risk," Advani explained in an interview with NDTV. The logistical and security challenges of bringing a full film crew into the active presidential estate made the idea unfeasible, forcing the team to search for an alternative that could match its grandeur.
Umaid Bhawan Palace: The Grand Substitute
The search for a suitable replacement led the production to the royal city of Jodhpur. According to Advani, Umaid Bhawan Palace was the only venue in India that possessed the unmatched presence and proportion needed to stand in for the Viceroy's House. The palace became the central filming location, representing Rashtrapati Bhavan throughout the series.
Advani described the filming experience as both rare and generous. "Shooting in Umaid Bhawan was an incredible experience," he said, highlighting how the palace administration opened up private sections of the property rarely seen by the public. This access was crucial for depicting the immense scale of the historical setting. "Otherwise, how do you show the scale of Rashtrapati Bhavan?" he remarked.
The filmmaker emphasized why getting this scale right was fundamental to the narrative. "At the end of the day, Rashtrapati Bhavan has some 500 rooms. It was built for two people," he noted. The production aimed to mirror not just the physical vastness but also the scale of the emotions, patriotism, and world-altering decisions that took place within those walls during 1947.
Bringing History to Life
The makers have formally thanked Maharaja Gaj Singh of Jodhpur in the series' end credits for his pivotal support in facilitating the shoot. The use of Umaid Bhawan Palace allowed 'Freedom at Midnight' to visually ground its story in an environment of appropriate opulence and historical weight.
With its second season now available for streaming, the series continues to explore the complex human and political stories surrounding Independence and Partition. The seven-episode new season is currently live on the SonyLIV platform, inviting audiences back into this meticulously recreated chapter of history.
