Ram Madhvani Teases Season 2 of “The Waking of a Nation” with Plans for a Deeper Dive into India’s Freedom Struggle

Ram Madhvani, the acclaimed director behind the much-loved "Neerja" and "Aarya," is back with a gripping new series titled "The Waking of a Nation." Drawing inspiration from real events surrounding the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the aftermath, the show is not a documentary but a dramatized retelling that focuses on a group of friends and their involvement in the investigation of the massacre through a government commission.

 

In a recent interview, Madhvani shared details about the new show, revealing that it’s not a direct retelling of the massacre itself but focuses on what happened before and after the event, particularly highlighting the Hunter Commission and the political turmoil of that period. 

 

He said, “This is the story of four friends. It’s a thriller, it’s a courtroom drama, but above all, it’s the story of youth. The story revolves around the formation of a committee to challenge Lord Hunter and the British authorities who were investigating the massacre. There’s a conspiracy at the heart of it, but it's much more than that. It’s about uncovering the truth, about revealing what was hidden under the official investigations.”

 

Madhvani emphasized the research-oriented nature of the project, describing the characters as detail-oriented and the series as a fictitious retelling inspired by real events. While the massacre itself is not directly shown, the drama delves into the events leading up to it and the aftermath, particularly focusing on the role of youth in shaping the course of history. “We didn’t just shoot this as a historical drama. We approached it with full respect for the events, and we made sure everything was done realistically. Every detail, every scene is shot with complete honesty and realism. When you are working on something inspired by real events, it’s important to show it in the most truthful way possible, without any gloss or makeup,” said Madhvani.

 

When asked about the actors involved, Madhvani was full of praise. “If I had the chance to work with any other actors, I wouldn’t. I would only choose the same actors again. I have great respect for the work they did.”

 

Madhvani also hinted at the possibility of a second season for "The Waking of a Nation" if the first one receives the same love and appreciation as his earlier works, Neerja and Aarya. “If people like this series as much as they liked Neerja and Aarya, I have plans to continue. Maybe we will explore other significant events from the freedom struggle, like the 1857 uprising. There is so much more to explore."

 

SonyLIV’s upcoming historical drama, The Waking of a Nation, directed by the talented Ram Madhvani, is all set to make its debut on March 7, 2025. The series features a talented cast, including Taaruk Raina, Nikita Dutta, Sahil Mehta, and Bhawsheel Singh Sahni.

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