Azaad REVIEW: Aaman Devgan, Rasha Thadani impress, ‘Azaad’ wins hearts with his expressive eyes

Film:
Azaad

Director: Abhishek Kapoor

Writer: Abhishek Kapoor, Suresh Nair, Ritesh Shah

Cast: Rasha Thadani, Aaman Devgan, Ajay Devgn, Diana Penty, Mohit Malik

Run Time: 147 minutes (2 hours 27 minutes)

Platform: In Theatres

Azaad Review

Written by Abhishek Kapoor, Suresh Nair and Ritesh Shah, and directed by Kapoor, Azaad is a heartwarming film that revolves around friendship, loyalty and the emotional bond between a human and his horse. The period action drama – set during 1920s India – starring debutants Aaman Devgan and Rasha Thadani alongside Ajay Devgn, will take you back to a time when Indians were treated as slaves by both the British officers posted in the country and the landlords who unjustly extorted them.

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The film begins with Govind’s (Aaman) grandmother telling him and his sister a tale of the warriors of the past and their brave horses. It’s here that we learn of Govind’s love for the majestic bests and his wish to ride his own someday. We are then introduced to Janki (Rasha) the landlord’s daughter who he’s trying to marry off to the British officer’s son. After some nok-jhok between these characters, we meet Vikram Singh (Ajay) – a rebel/dacoit who – with his horse Azaad, has dedicated his life to keeping his countrymen safe and stopping the zamindars and Britishers from sending them as slaves to South Africa. While the film focuses on the lives of Govind, Janki and Vikram, Azaad – the horse, serves as the heart and soul of the story and helps take the narrative forward.

Is Vikram Singh able to save his countrymen from slavery? Does Govind get a horse of his own to ride someday? Do Janki’s egoistic father and brother approve of her association with a stable boy? Why do Azaad and Vikram share such a strong bond? How do Govind and Azaad become friends? To know the answers to these questions, watch Azaad in theatres, and here’s our review of it.

What Works

There are several things that work in favour of Azaad such as the lead actor’s raw performance and refreshing chemistry, the horse’s back story and emotions, and the bond Govind and Vikram Singh shared with Azaad.

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Technical Analysis

Direction

Director Abhishek Kapoor – who is known for films such as Rock On!, Kai Po Che! and Kedarnath, deserves a round of applause for delivering a wholesome film that’s filled with the right amounts of high-octane action sequences and emotional moments that will remain fresh in your mind long after the end credits roll by. He has successfully managed to captivate the innocence Aaman and Rasha’s characters have to offer as well as the shrewdness of Mohit Malik’s zamindar.

Story & Writing

The writing is gripping and maintains a pace that keeps the audience hooked. Each character has an arc and the writers have done justice in making sure none are over-shadowed by the other.

Editing & Cinematography

The real-location shooting, cinematography, crisp editing and camera angles make the viewing experience more real than one would have imagined. Kudos to all teams for giving their 100% in making the film real, breathtakingly beautiful when it comes to its visuals and being time appropriate.

Music

The music and background score by composer Amit Trivedi adds a layer of flavour to the narrative that not only takes you back in time but also touches your heart and soul. The lyrics of the album – penned by lyricist Amitabh Bhattacharya, add meaning to the dynamic tunes. Kudos to choreographer Bosco for creating the viral-worthy dance steps of Uyi Amma that perfectly complement the music.

Azaad Star Cast

Talking about acting, debutants Aaman Devgan and Rasha Thadani’s raw portrayals of Govind and Janki are on-point and applause-worthy. While Rasha casts a spell on all with her expressions, dance moves and innocence, Aaman is impressive with his body language, comic-timing with Azaad and action and dialogue delivery. The duo’s chemistry is also on point and refreshing to watch on the big screen.

The other actors that make up the film’s ensemble cast – Ajay Devgn, Diana Penty and Mohit Malik, impress despite having limited screen time. Azaad (the horse) is one of the main reasons the film is an unforgettable cinematic experience. He is sure to make you laugh and cry at different points of the film.

Conclusion

Azaad is a wholesome family entertainer that will make you laugh and cry from its first scene to the very last. The film – which is a perfect blend of action, emotions and drama, is a perfect film to watch with family and friends to celebrate love, friendship, bravery and courage. Do watch the film in theatres to enjoy it to the fullest.

Watch the trailer of Azaad here:

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