Azaad Movie Review: Rasha Thadani and Aaman Devgan’s Debut Gallops with a Horse, but Crawls Like a Tortoise

Azaad Movie Review: A Promising Debut Overshadowed by a Slow and Clichéd Narrative

Rasha Thadani and Aaman Devgan Impress, But Abhishek Kapoor’s Direction Lacks Momentum. The much-anticipated Azaad, marking the debut of Rasha Thadani (daughter of Raveena Tandon and Anil Thadani) and Aaman Devgan (nephew of Ajay Devgn), falls short of expectations despite a promising premise. Directed by Abhishek Kapoor, the film struggles with pacing and overindulgence, leaving audiences wanting more from the story.

Plot Overview

Set in pre-Independence India, Azaad begins with Govind (Aaman Devgan) and his fascination with a fierce black horse named Azaad, owned by dacoit Vikram Singh (Ajay Devgn). Sparks fly as Govind crosses paths with Janaki (Rasha Thadani), the daughter of the aristocratic landlord Rai Bahadur (Piyush Mishra). A subplot involves Janaki’s brother Tej Bahadur (Mohit Malik) and Kesar (Diana Penty). The narrative attempts to weave these characters’ lives together but lacks the cohesion and drive to keep the audience engaged.

A Self-Indulgent Approach

Abhishek Kapoor, known for delivering a stellar debut for Sara Ali Khan in Kedarnath, seems to have taken a laid-back approach here. The sluggish pace of the film feels drawn out, with the narrative meandering instead of building momentum. The story, penned by Ritesh Shah, Suresh Nair, and Kapoor himself, feels uninspired, offering little originality. The editing, handled by Chandan Arora, does little to rescue the film, with scenes dragging far longer than necessary.

Azaad, the Scene-Stealing Horse

Amid the mediocrity, the titular horse, Azaad, emerges as the most compelling character. With no dialogue, the horse manages to evoke emotions and outshines the human actors in several sequences. While certain scenes featuring Azaad showcase Kapoor’s brilliance, they are few and far between.

Debutants’ Report Card

Rasha Thadani and Aaman Devgan deliver performances that hint at potential but also highlight their inexperience. Rasha’s screen presence is notable, but her emotional expressions need refinement. Aaman shows promise in action and dance but lacks depth in his acting. Mohit Malik, transitioning from television to films, fits his role well, while Diana Penty’s character is underdeveloped. Ajay Devgn’s brief appearance feels like an extension of his RRR persona, adding little value to the story.

Music Falls Short

Expectations were high for Amit Trivedi’s soundtrack, but apart from the polarizing track Uui Amma, the music fails to leave a mark. The lackluster score further diminishes the film’s impact.

Final Verdict

Azaad offers little beyond the introduction of two new faces. Its slow pace, predictable storyline, and reliance on clichés make it a missed opportunity. While the horse steals the show, a movie centered on speed and thrill ironically crawls to the finish line.

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