The significant role of media in politics has been identified for well over decades now. From the Nazi propaganda primarily being forwarded through innovative media forms at the time to the insight into besieged Gaza’s genocide, media has been longstanding in communicating ideas to the masses. However, it is important to note that in the modern world, media not only functions to dispense news but instead a much larger portion dedicates itself into the “entertainment industry”. The power of this dimension within media to still heavily, influence political discourse is what I’ll be focusing on.
With the sensory and visual impact that this method of storytelling offers, it can shape narratives profoundly. This can be backed by Amber M.Simmons argument about incorporating popular media literature to support literacy and critical goals. She gives the example of Hunger games explicating messages about violence and starvation. The thematic angle allows students to take an outside perspective where they can somewhat detach themselves from the real plot in which they are oblivious beneficiaries. A similar analysis can be applied here; if we consider movies that are based upon historical recounting, we can infer that they allow viewers to take an outside view that is in a certain way objective.

A recent Indian web series that is set to release soon called “Freedom at midnight” serves as a perfect example in this context. It is an upcoming political thriller based on a book by Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins. The book was published in 1975.It discusses the circumstances in the final days of British colonial rule in the subcontinent. In relation to this, it delves into a detailed account of the personal and political choices of the key figures at the time: Mahtma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Muhammad Ali Jinnah. It dictates the narrative into the Independence of India and Pakistan. The communal violence and religious tensions are captured comprehensively.
Within this depiction, each eminent figure is portrayed as neither entirely good nor evil.
Nikhil Advani who is the creator of this series takes a more critical approach, as per the book, in assimilating personality traits for each character. In this regard, the stereotypical narratives on either side of the war are being negated. Gray figures that are not reduced to any single characteristic give us a more reality-based, nuanced plot. Within Pakistan, controversy has already been sparked about Jinnah’s flawed portrayal. Nevertheless, this does not discount the fact that media products that put forth layered portrayals of historical figures and events compel us to reflect and rethink our understandings of political discourse through the years.
This blog highlights how media, especially entertainment, can shape political narratives and challenge our views. The example of *Freedom at Midnight* shows how historical figures like Gandhi, Nehru, and Jinnah are portrayed as complex individuals instead of stereotypes. This nuanced approach encourages viewers to rethink their understanding of history.
The blog also points out the power of media to spark reflection and dialogue, even if it leads to controversy, like in Pakistan over Jinnah's portrayal. By presenting layered stories, media helps us engage more deeply with political and historical realities.