Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Nikkhil Advani Explains Creative Liberties in The Revolutionaries
The Revolutionaries is a series about people involved in India’s freedom movement.
It includes a character named Pratibha Lahiri, played by Pratibha Ranta.
The filmmakers said there is not much written about women who took part in the struggle.
They used details about other women revolutionaries to create a stronger version of Lahiri for the show.
Advani said the real Lahiri was six years old and was promised in marriage to Sachindranath Sanyal.
He also said she later helped with Chandra Shekhar Azad’s funeral.
The makers changed some details to fit her story into the series.
They also made Rash Behari Bose look more modern than he did in photographs.
The series will premiere on Prime Video on September 11, 2026.
Nikkhil Advani said limited documentation about women freedom fighters influenced Pratibha Lahiri’s portrayal.
Pratibha Ranta said the character drew on traits of other women revolutionaries.
Advani said Lahiri was six years old in reality and betrothed to Sachindranath Sanyal.
The series depicts Lahiri as handling Chandra Shekhar Azad’s body and funeral after his death in Lucknow.
Advani also deliberately modernized Rash Behari Bose’s appearance while retaining key historical details.
- Who
- Filmmaker Nikkhil Advani, actor Pratibha Ranta, and the cast of The Revolutionaries.
- What
- Advani discussed creative changes made to portray Pratibha Lahiri and other revolutionaries.
- When
- The interview was published on September 8, 2026; the series is scheduled to premiere on September 11, 2026.
- Where
- The series will premiere on Prime Video.
- Why
- Advani said limited documentation about women freedom fighters required the creators to draw from other historical figures and develop Lahiri’s character for the show.
- Series
- The Revolutionaries
- Platform
- Prime Video
- Premiere
- September 11, 2026
- Director
- Nikkhil Advani
- Pratibha Lahiri
- Played by Pratibha Ranta; Advani said the historical Lahiri was six years old and betrothed to Sachindranath Sanyal.
- Creative changes
- The creators adapted Lahiri’s characterization and made Rash Behari Bose look more modern.
- Historical details retained
- Advani said the series retained Bose’s association with the Anushilan Committee and its akhaada in Benaras.