Sidhant Gupta: These days the web series Freedom at Midnight is streaming on Sony Liv. This series peeks into the important history related to the independence and partition of the country. Actor Siddhant Gupta is seen bringing alive the role of Jawaharlal Nehru in this series. Siddhant Gupta's special conversation with Urmila Kori on the challenges and preparations related to this series.
Did you read the book Freedom at Midnight before saying yes to this show?
No, actually if you read the book, then while reading the script, you start finding similarities in it. I didn't want to do it. To know the character of Jawaharlal Nehru closely, I read the books written by him. From my side, this was my only research to know him.
How did the character of the country's first Prime Minister reach you?
Director Nikhil Advani sir had given me the offer to become Nehru. He liked my work in the Jubilee series very much. To be honest, I was not able to see Nehru in myself. I can play Nehru ji sometime. I had never even thought of this. I told him, Sir, please give me some time. So that I can understand whether I can play this character or not. Because this role was a very responsible role. When I spent time with the script and other things, I had respect for this character. That turned into love. I realized that this person has said so much, which people have not even heard yet. If I can bring those things to the fore then what could be better than this?
Knowing Nehru ji closely, what impressed you the most?
His intentions. They did not come to become politicians. They had come to liberate the country. They had a very pure feeling of liberating the country. They gradually realized that if the British left, who would run the country, so a party would be formed, Congress. People develop relationships with the Congress Party and build trust. Nehru ji spent 9 years in jail for the independence of the country. Spending 9 years in jail is no small thing. His mind was very gifted. He did not waste time even in jail. There he wrote the book Discovery of India and a letter to his daughter Indira.
What did you know about Nehruji before this series?
To be honest, I did not have much knowledge. He was Chacha Nehru. Was the first Prime Minister of the country. I didn't know anything more than this. I think this is what most people in the country know about him. Hardly anyone knows the details of his contribution to independence. Very few people have the ability to carry past, present and future together. He had this ability.
A different image of Nehru ji has been created on social media in the last few years, what is your opinion on that?
Every person has opinions and I think it is a very good thing to have opinions. What were my opinions about him earlier? He too was like one riding in two boats. The reason for this was that everyone had heard it. Were not my own. When I did research, my opinion about him changed a lot. Which you can feel while talking. His core was very pure. You can't even question them. Now we have got freedom. We have the facility to see things in retrospect, so we can easily say whether that decision was wrong or whether it was right. He did not have that facility.
In the series, along with young Nehru, you have played the older character as well?
Yes, to look aged one has to go through make-up for four hours. I worked on body language and also on voice for this. Although when he gave speeches, his voice was different and different in normal conversation, so I have also tried to add this diversity in the character.
Nehru ji was very fond of children, how are you with children?
(laughs) I am still a child myself and I am very good with myself.
What is the reason why you do not follow anyone on social media?
I had withdrawn from social media. The path I am adopting for myself. It requires a lot of focus and somewhere social media distracts your attention. You don't have to see 9 out of 10 things in it, but because you go to see one thing, you end up seeing 10. I go on social media only when I have something to say. I am on Insta because of my fans.
Does someone's life not inspire you to follow him?
I follow you on YouTube. There the details are discussed there. What happens in Instagram reels? A photo and a few lines is all you need to know someone.
How would you define your journey so far?
There have been ups and downs, but we have learned something from everyone. From TV to film and now web series. The family members are also happy, earlier they were against my decision. Now they feel that there is something about me. Everyone liked my work in Jubilee. The same feeling is coming from Freedom at Midnight also.
