Viceroy's House

In 1947, Lord Mountbatten (Hugh Bonneville) makes his arrival at the Viceroy’s House in Delhi, accompanied by his determined wife Edwina (Gillian Anderson) and their daughter Pamela (Lily Travers). As Britain announces its impending departure from India after three centuries of colonial rule, the nation finds itself weary from the toll of war, rendering the British incapable of sustaining their empire in the East. Despite Queen Victoria being the empress of India, she has never set foot in the land.

Serving as Mountbatten’s Chief of Staff, Lord Lionel ‘Pug’ Ismay (Michael Gambon) is skeptical of India’s capability to govern itself. Meanwhile, Ewart (David Hayman) manages the operational affairs of the Viceroy’s House, and Miss Reading (Roberta Taylor) oversees the female staff, working closely with Edwina.

As the last Viceroy of India, Mountbatten’s mission is to facilitate the end of the British Raj and to usher in a new independent Indian nation. Mountbatten endeavors to mediate a significant conflict between two prominent political figures: Jawaharlal Nehru (Tanveer Ghani), who advocates for a unified nation, and Muhammad Ali Jinnah (Denzil Smith), who seeks to forge a separate Pakistani state. With a population of 300 million Hindus and 100 million Muslims, Nehru points out that 2.5 million Indians fought for Britain in WWII, in hope of freedom that has yet to materialize. Amid escalating Hindu-Muslim riots resulting in countless deaths, doubts arise about Mountbatten’s sincerity regarding the transfer of power, given his royal ties.

As Mountbatten grapples with the task of peacekeeping in a fracturing nation, Edwina grows alarmed upon discovering distressing social conditions, like a staggering 92% illiteracy rate and extremely high infant mortality rates. Urging her husband to take action, Edwina’s compassionate nature shines through, especially in her treatment of the Indian staff. She forms a rapport with Ram Lal Chandra (Raj Zutshi), her Indian Head Chef, frequently visiting the kitchen to express her appreciation.

In a parallel narrative, Jeet (Manish Dayal), Lord Mountbatten’s newly appointed valet, crosses paths with Aalia (Huma Qureshi), someone he previously fell in love with. Aalia is responsible for taking care of Pamela, and their history is intricate—Aalia’s father was imprisoned for supporting Gandhi, leading Jeet, then a supporting Hindu policeman, to fall for her. Despite their connection, Aalia stands firm in her engagement to Asif (Arunoday Singh), driven by cultural differences and familial obligations.

Mountbatten’s political journey continues as he meets Nehru, who stands resolutely opposed to the partition, while Edwina subtly forms a connection with him. Amidst their discussions, Jinnah remains adamant about a partition, fearing for Muslim rights in a Hindu-majority India. He cites historical precedents from British actions with Ireland and Palestine, arguing for a similar approach in India to maintain peace.

In a pivotal moment, Mountbatten meets with Gandhi (Neeraj Kabi), who recommends inviting Jinnah to construct the inaugural Government of India—a suggestion Nehru is unwilling to endorse, ultimately siding with partition. As violence rages across the nation, the British hasten the independence process, and Mountbatten, believing in a unified state initially, must confront the harsh reality of division.

With only days left before the power transfer, boundaries for the new state remain undecided—Mountbatten learns of a previously kept policy document from Ismay outlining territorial divisions. Feeling used as a pawn, he realizes that millions will be displaced due to their decisions. The intensity of communal strife grows as the Viceroy’s servants are forced to choose their loyalties amidst escalating violence.

As Aalia begins to acknowledge her feelings for Jeet, their relationship undergoes trials with Aalia’s allegiance to Asif complicating matters. With the deadline for the transfer of power looming, their fates intertwine dramatically amidst the chaos of partition. Days later, devastating news reaches Jeet—Aalia’s train to Pakistan has been attacked, leaving him heartbroken.

In the wake of chaos and refugee influx, the Mountbattens choose to remain and aid where possible. Jeet throws himself into helping the refugees, his path crossing again with Aalia, who miraculously survives the attack. In a moment of recognition and hope, their love emerges from the ashes of turmoil.

Last Updated: November 07, 2024 at 23:29