Nikkhil Advani's web series Freedom at Midnight will be premiering this month on SonyLIV. The show, centered around India's Independence Movement and partition, stars Rajendra Chawla as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Before the show's release, OTTplay exclusively interviewed the actor who discussed a scene for which Nikkhil praised him. Rajendra also mentioned that it was challenging for him to convincingly pull off that scene.

Rajendra Chawla on Freedom at Midnight's challenging scene

Rajendra Chawla told OTTplay that the scene where his character Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel has a discussion with Mahatma Gandhi (Chirag Vohra) despite the cracks in their bond was challenging for him. "A glimpse of it is shown in the drop three where Gandhiji ki tasveer tedhi hojati hai and jab vo (Sardar Patel) seedha karne jaate hai tab Gandhiji bolte hai ki dil se toh nikaal chuke ho, deewar se bhi nikal do. He instructs him to do anything to prevent riots. Vo jo discussion hai and the part that follows later, vo kamaal hai (it is amazing)," he said.

The actor believes it would've been tough for Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel to talk in a different manner with Mahatma Gandhi. "Ek aadmi (Mahatma Gandhi) jiske saamne apne pura jeevan sacrifice kar diya hai, vo aaj desh ke interest mein na baat karte hue, kisi ek particular person ke interest mein baat karte hai, ki 'Desh ko rakho aur khursi (Muhammad Ali) Jinnah ko dedo' — ye kitni badi baat hai ek aadmi ke liye. Vo (Sardar Patel) utne hi dignity aur politeness ke saath firmly apni baatein aur mudde Gandhiji ke saamne rakhte hai. That was very challenging for me," shared Rajendra.

(Loose translation: It could've been difficult for Mahatma Gandhi, for whom Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel sacrificed a lot, to suddenly urge to him give the throne to another leader (Muhammad Ali) Jinnah to prevent India's partition).

When Nikkhil Advani praised Rajendra Chawla

In the aforementioned scene, Rajendra as Sardar Patel had to firmly question Mahatma Gandhi (Chirag Vohra) while maintaining dignity and honouring his position. As the scene was shot well, Nikkhil lauded Chawla.

"It was challenging for me as well as Chirag to convincingly pull it off. I think the scene has come out well. We also got appreciated for it by Nikkhil sir. He is someone who speaks less. Aur unka itna ga-ga (praise) karna was big deal for me. I was very happy that day knowing that he lauded us. Mera din bann gaya tha (my day was made) when Nikkhil sir stood up and clapped," he said and signed off.

Freedom at Midnight will premiere on November 15 on SonyLIV and OTTplay Premium.

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