Midnight's Children

Midnight's Children is a 2012 movie directed by Deepa Mehta based on Salman Rushdie's novel of the same name. The movie is a historical drama that tells the story of Saleem Sinai, a boy born at the very moment India gained its independence from British rule on August 15, 1947. The movie presents the events that unfolded during the partition of India and Pakistan, the rise of the Kashmir conflict, and the period of Indian history since independence.

The narrator of the story, Saleem Sinai, is played by Darsheel Safary, while the adult Saleem is portrayed by Satya Bhabha. The supporting cast includes Rajat Kapoor as Aadam Aziz, Saleem's grandfather, who is a doctor; Seema Biswas as Amina, Saleem's mother; Shriya Saran as Parvati, a nurse who Aadam Aziz eventually marries; Anupam Kher as Ghani, Saleem's father; and Shabana Azmi as Saleem's biological mother, Naseem.

The story starts with Aadam Aziz, who moves his family from Kashmir to Agra for a new job. The family lives in a house opposite the Taj Mahal, where Aadam Aziz gradually develops feelings for his neighbor, Naseem. The two eventually get married and have a son, Saleem. However, Saleem is born with a huge birthmark on his forehead, which Aadam interprets as a sign of bad luck. When Saleem is a teenager, he discovers that he has telepathic powers, which enable him to communicate with other children born at the same moment on independence day. Saleem learns that he is one of the 1001 "midnight's children" who were born at the same time as India gained independence.

As the story progresses, Saleem learns about the other children's powers, and they form a secret society to fight against the injustices in India. The society eventually disbands due to internal problems, and Saleem becomes involved with his biological mother, Naseem. She sets him up with a wealthy family, where he is given a good education and exposed to upper-class society.

One of the major themes of the movie is the partition of India and Pakistan, which occurred in 1947. The movie explores how the partition affected Indian society and culture, and how it continues to impact relations between India and Pakistan even today. Midnight's Children also depicts the rise of the Kashmir conflict, which began shortly after the partition and continues to be a major source of tension between India and Pakistan.

The movie features stunning cinematography and beautiful set designs that capture the essence of India's rich cultural history. The music is also noteworthy, with a mix of classical Indian and modern music that perfectly complements the visuals.

Overall, Midnight's Children is a powerful and thought-provoking movie that explores the complexities of Indian history and culture. The movie showcases excellent performances from the cast, and the narrative is carefully crafted to provide a deep understanding of the political and socio-cultural issues in India since independence.