Despite heavy marketing and star-kid debuts, Abhishek Kapoor’s period drama fails to draw audiences on its first day, recording poor occupancy rates and tepid reviews.
January 18, 2025: Director Abhishek Kapoor’s much-anticipated period drama Azaad has opened to disappointing numbers at the box office. Starring debutantes Rasha Thadani, daughter of Raveena Tandon, and Aaman Devgn, nephew of Ajay Devgn, the film garnered only ₹1.5 crore on its opening day. This marks the lowest debut of Kapoor’s career, raising concerns about the film’s future prospects.
According to industry tracker Sacnilk, Azaad saw minimal audience turnout, with occupancy rates as low as 5% during morning shows and 26% during night screenings. Despite extensive promotions and high-profile appearances by the cast and their families, the movie failed to create a buzz among audiences.
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Azaad’s Struggles at the Box Office
The period drama’s opening pales in comparison to Kapoor’s previous hits. In 2013, Kai Po Che opened at ₹4.5 crore and went on to collect ₹50 crore domestically, while Kedarnath debuted with ₹6.8 crore in 2018, eventually grossing ₹66 crore. Even Kapoor’s underwhelming Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui managed a ₹3.5 crore opening.
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Critics Unimpressed
Adding to its woes, Azaad has received largely negative reviews. The Indian Express’ Shubhra Gupta criticized the film’s outdated storytelling, writing, “Why are such films still being made in 2025? And is Abhishek Kapoor, who made the terrific Kai Po Che and Rock On!!, really the director of this mothballed exercise?”
Tough Competition Ahead
The film’s underwhelming start coincides with the release of Kangana Ranaut’s Emergency, which, despite its own challenges, performed slightly better with a ₹2.5 crore opening. With mediocre audience reception and stiff competition, Azaad faces an uphill battle at the box office.
A Missed Opportunity for Star Debuts
For Rasha Thadani and Aaman Devgn, Azaad was expected to be a strong launchpad. However, the film’s lackluster performance raises questions about its ability to sustain interest in the coming weeks.
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Azaad box office, Rasha Thadani debut, Aaman Devgn debut, Abhishek Kapoor, Bollywood box office, period drama, Raveena Tandon daughter, Ajay Devgn nephew, Kangana Ranaut Emergency, star-kid Bollywood debuts, Indian cinema box office