Azaad Movie Review: A Period Drama That Lacks Pace and Impact

Age Rating: UA
Language: Hindi

The much-anticipated launch vehicle of Rasha Thadani and Aaman Devgan, Azaad, directed by Abhishek Kapoor, takes audiences back to pre-Independence India with an intriguing premise centered around a horse. However, the film falters due to its sluggish pacing and lack of depth in storytelling.

Plot Overview

The story revolves around Govind (Aaman Devgan), a spirited young man who is enamored with the majestic black horse, Azaad, owned by the dacoit Vikram Singh (played by Ajay Devgn). Govind’s fascination leads him to cross paths with Janaki (Rasha Thadani), the spirited daughter of the powerful landlord Rai Bahadur (Piyush Mishra).

As sparks fly between the upper-class Janaki and the lower-class Govind, their love story intertwines with a subplot involving Tej Bahadur (Mohit Malik), Janaki’s brother, and Kesar (Diana Penty). The film captures the intersection of these lives amidst a turbulent backdrop of British colonial rule and personal conflicts.

Character Performances

Aaman Devgan: As Govind, Aaman gives an earnest performance, but his portrayal lacks the gravitas needed for a role that hinges on emotional depth and intensity.
Rasha Thadani: Rasha shines in certain emotional sequences, but her overall screen presence feels unpolished, which is understandable for a debutante.
Ajay Devgn: In his brief but impactful role as Vikram Singh, Ajay Devgn steals the show with his commanding screen presence.
Supporting Cast: Mohit Malik and Diana Penty bring solid performances, but their characters are underutilized.

Direction and Cinematography

Director Abhishek Kapoor, known for films like Kedarnath and Rock On!!, fails to recreate the magic in Azaad. While the film boasts lush visuals and picturesque landscapes, the narrative meanders, testing the audience’s patience. The songs and extended sequences, instead of enhancing the storyline, seem to drag it further.

Cinematographer Anay Goswamy does justice to the pre-Independence era with vibrant and authentic visuals, but the film’s overall impact is diluted by its lackluster storytelling.

Music and Soundtrack

The soundtrack by Amit Trivedi is soulful but does not leave a lasting impression. Songs appear forced into the narrative and fail to resonate with the film’s period-drama theme.

What Worked

Ajay Devgn’s magnetic presence as Vikram Singh.
Stunning visuals that capture the essence of the era.
Moments of emotional vulnerability in Janaki’s character arc.

What Didn’t Work

The slow-paced narrative makes the film feel unnecessarily long.
Underdeveloped subplots and supporting characters.
A predictable storyline with minimal surprises.
Overindulgence in songs and dramatic sequences.

Final Verdict

While Azaad had the potential to be a gripping period drama, it ends up being a slow and self-indulgent film that fails to leave a significant impact. The performances of the lead debutantes are promising but overshadowed by a lack of engaging content.

Rating: ⭐⭐½ (2.5/5)