Ira Dubey on Playing an Older Woman in Freedom at Midnight- 'I Don’t Shy Away from Looking a Certain Way if it Serves the Story'

Known for her versatility and fearless performances, Ira Dubey has stepped into a transformative role as Fatima Jinnah, the sister of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, in Sony LIV's historical drama Freedom at Midnight. Breaking age stereotypes on screen, Ira plays a character much older than herself, showcasing her commitment to embodying the essence of one of history’s most formidable figures.

Addressing the challenge of portraying such a layered character, Ira shared, “Many have wondered how someone like me, could convincingly play Fatima Jinnah. But as an actor, it’s a dream to transform and bring a character to life. I don’t shy away from looking a certain way on screen if it serves the story. The wig and discussions about prosthetics helped, but my focus was on absorbing her through the limited footage, books, and archival material available fto do justice to her legacy.”

Fatima Jinnah was not only a pivotal figure in her brother’s life but also a beacon of strength during Pakistan’s independence movement. Ira emphasized the importance of honoring her life’s work and spirit, saying, “Her relationship with her brother was the cornerstone of her life, and through this story, we’ve tried to capture her love for her people and the difficult situation they were in. Women like her, often standing behind prominent men in history, are frequently overlooked. I’m grateful the writers chose to give her story the spotlight it deserves.”

Ira also reflected on the creative freedom and challenges of portraying a historical figure with limited representation in popular culture. “There hasn’t been much about Fatima Jinnah in films or shows over the years. In Pakistan, a recent series had three actresses play her at different stages of life, but it’s largely been an open canvas. I love playing historical characters because it’s about finding their essence through research and imagination.”

Created and directed by Nikkhil Advani, the series delves into the 1947 partition of India and is streaming on Sony LIV