Hey guys, yes, it’s that time of the year! We’re back with our monthly reports on prominent OTT platforms in India. SonyLIV, as usual, has demonstrated its commitment to the philosophy of “less is more” this November. The platform released only one original series last month, but it emerged as a huge success, earning acclaim from both audiences and critics. Yes, we’re talking about Nikkhil Advani’s Freedom at Midnight, the official adaptation of the 1975 novel by Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins.
Freedom at Midnight stands out for its technical excellence, impressive visuals, stunning cinematography, gripping performances, and well-researched, in-depth writing. While the show does become a bit slow at times, the sensational work of seasoned talents like Sidhant Gupta (Jawaharlal Nehru), Chirag Vohra (Mahatma Gandhi), Rajendra Chawla (Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel), and Arif Zakaria (Mohammad Ali Jinnah) compensates for the occasional sluggish pace.
The show also excels in production and costume design. However, Ashutosh Phatak’s score is somewhat disappointing, despite bringing an interesting Indo-Western blend to the table. Overall, it’s a well-made series that has received mostly positive reviews from critics.
Now, let’s turn our attention to Moonflower Murders, the second outing for Lesley Manville’s Susan Ryeland. She reunites with Timothy McMullan’s Atticus Pund, a renowned detective. While some critics believe it didn’t perform as well as Magpie Murders, it still serves as a worthy successor. Interestingly, the show has earned a 100% “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes. What sets it apart is its unique story-within-a-story format. Editor Susan Ryeland is tasked with solving a cold case hidden within one of Alan Conway’s early novels featuring Atticus Pund.
Both Freedom at Midnight and Moonflower Murders have charmed viewers, emerging as standout additions to SonyLIV’s library in November 2024. Stay tuned for more updates!