In Amritsar ahead of the release of Waking Up Of A Nation, filmmaker Ram Madhvani and his wife Amita seek blessings at the Golden Temple

Jallianwala Bagh was not an isolated event. Amritsar, before April 13, 1919, was the epicentre of social and political streams that fed the Indian national movement, and fuelled the aspirations of a country wanting to break free from the shackles of slavery. The year was an eventful one for India—Mahatma Gandhi launched Satyagrah against the Rowlatt Act, undercurrents were being felt for the Sikh gurdwara reform movement and it all coincided with the socio-political presence of Gadarites in the holy city.

So, when producer-director Ram Madhvani decided to create a series that re-imagines one of the most-written-about events in the history of our country, it clearly piqued interest. With some solid credits in filmmaking, remember the refreshingly gripping Let’s Talk, the critically and commercially acclaimed Neerja, and International Emmy-nominated Aarya, Madhvani’s craft also means good business. With his latest web series, The Waking Of A Nation, he brings the story of Jallianwala Bagh through the lens of the Hunter Commission’s inquiry.

“What follows in the series is set largely in the aftermath of the massacre. I have chosen not to show the bloodbath graphically. Rather, the series raises questions of accountability, about colonial imperialism and the larger dialogue whether there was just a single person responsible behind it or was there something beyond it? It was a conspiracy! Now, the audience needs to find out how Kanti Lal Sahni, the protagonist, is going to prove it,” shared Ram.

Investigative thriller

The series rolls out as a crime investigative thriller, more than a historical period drama. “It’s a courtroom drama. There were eight members in the Hunter Commission, five British and three Indians. The report was a whitewash. So, we have attempted to explore the underlying facts, understand why brown is considered a bad colour? What is the white man’s dilemma? Why do we still use fork and knives to eat our food?” said Ram, as he added that these questions have remained with him since he was seven.

The series features an ensemble cast, including Taaruk Raina, Nikita Dutta, Sahil Mehta and Bhawsheel Singh Sahni, among others. Taaruk, Madhvani’s latest find, looks promising in the trailer and we hope that he goes the Jim Sarbh way in adding to the list of fresh new talents in the film industry! “It also a story of four friends, Kanti (played by Taaruk), Hari (Bhawsheel), who has returned from WWII, his wife Poonam (Nikita Dutta) and Allahbaksh (Sahil), who are caught in the upheaval that follows the Jallianwala Bagh incident,” said Ram.

Seeking blessings

After a five year journey of bringing the show to life, Madhvani, and his wife and co-producer Amita Madhvani, visited the Golden Temple to seek blessings. They also revisited various landmarks that served as key locations during the filming of the series, including the Gobindgarh Fort and the Kucha Korianwalla lane, where the infamous crawling order was passed by General Dyer.

As The Waking Of A Nation gears up for its release on Sony LIV on March 7, Ram’s visit to Amritsar reflects his reverence for history and his spiritual connection to the stories he brings to life on screen. “It has four Kabir songs, which I feel resonate with the soul of the series and people as well. I believe this is the best way to speak to my audience, reverberate with them.”