Towards the end of the British Empire’s presence in India, Louis Mountbatten (Hugh Bonneville) is appointed as the last Viceroy. As the Mountbatten family moves into the Viceroy’s House in Delhi, they are initially amazed at the opulence and glamour of the house, which makes “Buckingham Palace look like a bungalow.” But beneath the pomp and circumstance of the viceroy position, Louis is faced with the heavy task of guiding India’s departure from the British Empire and leading it to become an independent nation. While doing this, Louis must also avoid creating further conflict between the Muslim and Hindu citizens.
The majesty of Viceroy’s House soon becomes overrun with tension amongst the staff when it is announced that the British India will be divided into two nations: Pakistan and India. Amidst the rising tensions, forbidden love blossoms between Punjabi servant Jeet (Manish Dayal) and Muslim secretary Aalia (Huma Qureshi). Their relationship is strained with the pressure for Aalia to move to Pakistan and enter an arranged marriage.
Viceroy’s House is a historical drama focusing on the events surrounding the 1947 Partition of India. Partition signified the end of British India, the birth of Pakistan and one of the largest refugee crises in history. As Muslim and Hindu families shifted across the newly drawn borders, the mass migration of almost 14 million people led to large-scale violence, poverty and slaughter.
The director, Gurinda Chadha, wanted to create a film that captured how historical events shape the lives of everyday people. Viceroy’s House has been one of her most ambitious projects to date. The events of Partition affected her family and continue to shape her country almost 70 years after the division of India. Viceroy’s House also features a score composed by prolific Indian musician A.R. Rahman. Inspired by traditional Indian music, Rahman’s emotional score brings further depth and beauty to the film.
Viceroy’s House is a film that provides an insight into the events of Partition with humour, poignancy and multiple character perspectives. Fans of dramas like Slumdog Millionaire and Downton Abbey will find Viceroy’s House to be thoroughly enjoyable.
