Filmmaker Nikkhil Advani has responded to criticism around the portrayal of Muhammad Ali Jinnah in SonyLIV’s historical series Freedom at Midnight, after viewers—particularly in Pakistan—called the depiction “snobbish” and “elitist.” Speaking ahead of Season 2’s January 9, 2026 premiere, Advani defended the creative approach and said the portrayal reflects the reality of Jinnah’s public persona.
The Controversy Breakdown: Portrayal, Backlash, and Context
Adapted from Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins’ book, Freedom at Midnight dramatizes the final phase of British rule and the events leading to Independence and Partition. While the show’s portrayal of Jinnah has earned praise from sections of viewers for performance and detailing, criticism across the border has focused on the character’s refined, elite presentation—arguing it frames Pakistan’s founder in a manner that feels distant or “too aristocratic.”
Advani’s Response: Persona, Politics, and “Quaid-e-Azam”
Advani pushed back on the criticism by underlining that elitism was integral to Jinnah’s image—his dress, manner, and cultivated English-speaking persona were part of how he carried power. He also reiterated his broader interpretation that Jinnah’s public shift toward religion was tied to political positioning—often summed up in his remark that Jinnah “took to religion” to become Quaid-e-Azam (Father of the Nation). The thrust of Advani’s defence: the show is not attempting to glorify or whitewash anyone but to dramatise political realities through a character-led lens.
Cast and Vision: Who Plays Whom
A key factual clarity amid the debate: Arif Zakaria plays Muhammad Ali Jinnah in the series. Sidhant Gupta essays Jawaharlal Nehru, Chirag Vohra plays Mahatma Gandhi, and Rajendra Chawla portrays Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The series also features Luke McGibney as Lord Mountbatten and Ira Dubey as Fatima Jinnah, among others.
Buzz and Legacy
With Season 2 arriving January 9, the renewed conversation has only amplified attention on the show—fueling debate about how historical figures are represented on screen and how sharply those portrayals can land on either side of the border.
A Nuanced Horizon Awaits
Advani’s message is essentially a challenge to viewers: watch the full story, then debate the choices. In an era where historical dramas often become political flashpoints, Freedom at Midnight is once again proving that portrayals don’t just entertain—they provoke, unsettle, and force audiences to confront how they remember the past.
—By Manoj H