Azaad Movie Review: A Tale of Raw Debuts, a Star Horse, and a Slow Gallop

Despite its promising premise and heartfelt moments, Azaad struggles with clichés, pacing, and underwhelming execution

What Is Azaad About?

Set in pre-Independence India, Azaad follows Govind (Aman Devgan), a young man entranced by a majestic black horse named Azaad, owned by the dacoit Vikram Singh (Ajay Devgn). Govind’s life intersects with Janaki (Rasha Thadani), the daughter of landlord Rai Bahadur (Piyush Mishra), sparking a classic class-clash love story. Alongside, the film explores the parallel journey of Janaki’s brother Tej Bahadur (Mohit Malik) and Kesar (Diana Penty).

Despite its lofty ambitions, Azaad falls into the trap of self-indulgence, with a sluggish pace that tests the viewer’s patience. Directed by Abhishek Kapoor, known for Kedarnath, the film meanders too often, failing to maintain narrative momentum.

The True Star: Azaad, the Horse

In a movie that often falters, the horse Azaad emerges as the unexpected hero. Kapoor masterfully captures the animal’s spirit, crafting moments that tug at the heart. Without uttering a word, Azaad steals the show, delivering some of the film’s most emotional scenes.

Debut Performances: A Mixed Bag

Both debutants, Aaman Devgan and Rasha Thadani, show potential but lack polish.

• Rasha Thadani: At 19, she has a commanding screen presence but struggles with emotional depth.
• Aaman Devgan: While adept at action and dance, his acting skills need refinement.

Supporting actors bring varying degrees of success:

• Mohit Malik: Known for his television work, he transitions smoothly into cinema.
• Diana Penty: Her character feels underdeveloped, leaving little impact.
• Ajay Devgn: His role lacks novelty, with shades reminiscent of his RRR persona.

Music and Cinematic Experience

Expectations for Amit Trivedi’s music were sky-high, but apart from the polarizing “Uui Amma,” the soundtrack fails to make an impression. The songs, much like the screenplay, lack urgency, further bogging down the narrative.

Verdict: A Missed Opportunity

While Azaad offers the spectacle of a beautifully shot horse-centric drama, it struggles with a cliché-riddled story, slow pacing, and lackluster character development. The film’s saving graces are its emotional moments with Azaad and glimpses of potential from its debut actors. Unfortunately, it never quite reaches the galloping stride it promises.

If you’re a fan of debut films or animal-centric stories, Azaad might be worth a watch. But for those seeking a gripping narrative, this ride is better skipped.

Tags: Azaad Movie Review, Aaman Devgan, Rasha Thadani, Bollywood Debut, Horse-Centric Drama, Ajay Devgn, Abhishek Kapoor, Amit Trivedi Music, Pre-Independence Films

#Tags: #AzaadMovie #BollywoodReview #AamanDevgan #RashaThadani #HorseDrama #AjayDevgn #AbhishekKapoor #BollywoodDebut