Actor Sidhant Gupta, who portrayed Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in the historical series Freedom At Midnight, opened up about his transformative experience of stepping into the shoes of India’s first Prime Minister. On Nehru’s birth anniversary, the actor reflected on the emotional and physical challenges he faced while preparing for the role.
“It Changes Your Perspective Completely,” Says Sidhant
In a conversation with Hindustan Times, Sidhant revealed that playing a historical figure like Nehru was far more than a performance — it altered his worldview.
He shared, “There comes a big change after you truly play a character. Your perspective changes and the way you see life changes. It’s a broader perspective… your mind opens up.”
One of the biggest lessons he learned from the role was Nehru’s belief in empathy and service.
According to Sidhant, “If you want to be a hero, you genuinely have to care about people.”
A Role That Was ‘Painful Yet Fascinating’
The actor admitted that the process of becoming Nehru wasn’t easy:
“I have cherished playing him and it was both painful and fascinating.”
The pain came from the long hours spent in prosthetics — nearly three hours every day — to achieve Nehru’s signature look.
But the physical transformation helped him dive deeper into the character, influencing him internally as well.
“The most fascinating part was how the prosthetics and physical transformation allowed me to slip naturally into Nehru’s mindset,” he added.
Shared Traits: Calmness and Clarity
When asked about similarities between him and Pandit Nehru, Sidhant pointed out one defining trait: calmness.
He explained that in today’s fast-paced world, staying calm is essential to achieving one’s aspirations.
“You need to cultivate a deep sense of calmness. And you have to be in touch with it. That’s your hope,” he said.
Children’s Day Memories and ‘Chacha Nehru’
Sidhant also recalled how he grew up reading about Nehru in history books and knowing him as Chacha Nehru.
He expressed that it always felt special that a leader they had never met still felt like a loving family figure in the collective memory of Indian children.
About Freedom At Midnight
Released in 2024, Freedom At Midnight is based on the acclaimed book by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre.
The series revisits India’s struggle for independence and the intense political decisions that shaped the nation.
The show features a notable ensemble cast including Chirag Vohra, Rajendra Chawla, Luke McGibney, Rajesh Kumar, Ira Dubey, and Arif Zakaria, alongside Sidhant Gupta in one of his most impactful performances.
