Review: 'Azaad' - Rasha Thadani & Aaman Devgan show what a commendable debut looks like

Set in pre-independent India, Azaad is a heartwarming film directed by Abhishek Kapoor that explores the themes of loyalty, friendship, and love while also shedding light on the plight of Indians at the hands of British officers and landlords. Set against the backdrop of rebellion and tyranny, the film tells the story of Govind (Aaman Devgan) - a stable boy who dreams of riding a horse someday, Janki (Rasha Thadani) - the landlord's daughter who learns to stand up against patriarchy and Vikram Singh (Ajay Devgn) - a well-known dacoit whose aim is to help his countrymen and keep them from being sent abroad as slaves. The nearly 2.5-hour-long film tells the tale of how each of the above-mentioned characters' lives intertwine and whether or not they are successful in achieving their dreams.

The Vision

Director Abhishek Kapoor has once more impressed with his attention to detail while bringing the film to life. The director succeeds in keeping the audience hooked from start to end with a film that has the right mix of emotions, dialogues, action and drama. From cinematography to music and action, Kapoor makes sure all the right boxes are ticked.

The Performance

Talking about acting, debutants Aaman Devgan and Rasha Thadani have delivered impressive performances. Rasha's expressive eyes are her biggest assets. She may not have been on the screen for a long period but she knows how to grab attention with that charming and effervescent aura. Even with limited screen time she delivers and how.

Aaman commands attention thanks to his impeccable body language and dialogue delivery. He manages to hold his own even while sharing screen space with actor Ajay Devgn. It almost feels surprising to see a debut actor work so well with his emotions. From his frustration of Azaad not letting him sit on it to his courage of winning against oppression, he does it well with ease.

Ajay as always, even with his limited screen time, leaves an impact. The horse also deserves a mention as his expression will tug at your heartstrings.

Mohit Malik also making his Bollywood debut owns the character of Zameendar Taj Singh. The anger, the vengeance and the power, everything is portrayed diligently and we know where he gets it all from. Diana Penty could have had a more meaty role with more layers to it, but she gives an earnest performance of whatever is asked from her character.

The Packaging

The film paces on a smooth pitch and and leaves you hooked almost until the interval. Its after that when the love story of Janki and Govind takes centre stage and it feels a little of out of place. But as soon as the climax begins the screen is all yours and the adrenaline is definitely there. Having the ‘Lagaan’ feel to achieve something might feel like an old trope but works wonders for a massy cinematic viewing.

The Music

Composer Amit Trivedi and lyricist Amitabh Bhattacharya deserve a round of applause making sure Azaad has a blend of soulful, playful and dynamic beats. The BGM adds depth to the narrative making the crisply edited film a wholesome watch. From Azaad Hai Tu to Ui Amma, the songs leave a lasting impression and have the catchy feel to it.

The Verdict

If you love animals, the banter between Govind and Azaad or Ajay Devgn and Azaad and other sequences involving the horses will really feel hearty. Azaad works for being real, relatable and heroic but not in the usual break their bones action but with a rather deeper meaning and understanding to it.

The Rating

***1/2 - (3.5/5) stars