# Azaad (2025 film)

Azaad (transl. Free) is a 2025 Indian Hindi-language period drama film directed by Abhishek Kapoor and produced by Ronnie Screwvala and Pragya Kapoor. The film stars Ajay Devgn and Diana Penty alongside debutants Aaman Devgan and Rasha Thadani.
Azaad was theatrically released on 17 January 2025, to mixed-to-negative reviews from critics, leading to a box office failure.

## Plot

Azaad (2025) is a stirring period drama set in the turbulent 1920s, a time when India was under British colonial rule, and the spirit of revolution was beginning to ignite across the nation. The film follows the journey of Govind, a young stable boy working in a British cantonment, who shares an extraordinary bond with Azaad, a fierce and untamed black stallion.
The Bond Between Govind and Azaad From childhood, Govind has admired Azaad, a horse with an indomitable spirit, one that refuses to be broken by British officers who seek to tame him. Much like the people of India, Azaad embodies the yearning for freedom, resisting control at every turn. While others fear the horse, Govind sees in him a reflection of his own suppressed desires—to break free from servitude and live with dignity.
Despite being forbidden from riding him, Govind secretly trains with Azaad under the guidance of Vikram Singh, a former soldier-turned-revolutionary who sees great potential in the young boy. Vikram, an influential leader in the underground resistance, teaches Govind that freedom is not just about breaking physical chains but about fighting for justice and self-respect.
A Nation in Chains, A Rebel in the Making The film takes a dramatic turn when Govind witnesses the brutality of British rule firsthand. When a British officer (Captain Edward Collins) mercilessly punishes a villager for refusing to provide grain for the British army, Govind is shaken. His anger and frustration intensify when he learns that Azaad is to be sold and shipped to a British cavalry unit overseas, where he will be forced into submission.
Determined to prevent this, Govind takes a daring step—he frees Azaad and flees into the jungle. This act of defiance makes him a wanted fugitive. Pursued by the British army, Govind finds refuge in Vikram’s rebel camp, where he meets Janaki, a courageous young woman working as a messenger for the revolutionaries. Janaki, drawn to Govind’s fearlessness, helps him understand that the fight for Azaad’s freedom is part of a much bigger battle—for India’s independence.
From Stable Boy to Freedom Fighter As Govind becomes more involved in the resistance, he takes on daring missions—sabotaging British supply chains, delivering secret messages, and rallying villagers to stand against their oppressors. The legend of the "boy with the wild horse" spreads, inspiring others to join the movement. The British officers, humiliated by their failure to recapture Govind and Azaad, intensify their search, leading to betrayals and tragic losses.
In a high-stakes climax, Govind and Vikram lead an audacious attack on a British outpost, using Azaad’s speed and strength to outmaneuver their enemies. But victory comes at a cost—Vikram sacrifices himself, ensuring Govind and the rebels escape. Devastated but determined, Govind realizes that he can no longer run. He must stand and fight.
The Legacy of Azaad The final moments of the film show Govind leading a group of revolutionaries, galloping on Azaad towards the next battle. His transformation is complete—no longer a mere stable boy, but a warrior of the people, carrying forward Vikram’s dream of an independent India.
Azaad is more than just a story about a boy and his horse—it is a tale of resistance, sacrifice, and the unbreakable human spirit. It beautifully weaves personal freedom with national struggle, proving that sometimes, even the smallest act of defiance can spark a revolution.

## Cast

* Ajay Devgn as Vikram Singh
* Diana Penty as Kesar Bahadur
* Aaman Devgan as Govind
* Rasha Thadani as Janaki Bahadur
* Mohit Malik as Tej Bahadur
* Piyush Mishra as Rai Bahadur
* Natasha Rastogi as Nani
* Sandeep Shikhar as Braj
* Jiya Imran Amin as Daani
* Mukund Ramesh Pal as Rajab
* Gaurav Yavanika as Jai Singh
* Andrew Crouch as James Cummings
* Dylan Jones as Lord Cummings
* Rakesh Sharma as Jamal
* Akshay Anand as Biru
* Jagannath Seth as Dacoit
* Khusboo Ajwani as Maid
* Arvind Bilgaiyan as Munimji
* Alok Porwal as Bearer Ratan Singh
* Ramshankar as Pandit British Residency
* Neeraj Kadela as Mute Priest
* Ravindra Dubey as Priest at Zamindar House
* Rakesh Bidua as Kesar’s father
* Aishwarya Sharma as Janki's friend
* Vivek Bahaduria as Bhusar shopkeeper

## Marketing

The film was announced by Ajay Devgn during the promotion of Singham Again on 30 October 2024 and the teaser was released on 5 November 2024. While the release date of the film was announced on 30 November 2024. The trailer was dropped on 6 January 2025.

## Music

The music of the film is composed by Amit Trivedi while lyrics are written by Amitabh Bhattacharya and Swanand Kirkire. The first single titled "Birangay" was released on 12 December 2024. The second single titled "Azaad Hai Tu" was released on 22 December 2024. The third single titled "Uyi Amma" was released on 4 January 2025. The fourth single "Ajeeb-O-Gareeb" was released on 10 January 2025.

## Release

The film was theatrically released on 17 January 2025 and it has released in Netflix on 14 March 2025.

## Reception
### Critical response

Bollywood Hungama rated the movie 2.0/5 and said, "AZAAD movie struggles to captivate due to a lackluster first half, a weak script, and the absence of a romantic angle. At the box office, the limited buzz around the film will pose challenges, though the Cinema Lovers Day offer might provide some relief to an extent on Day 1."
Pinkvilla rated the movie 3/5 and said, "Azaad is worth a watch for those interested in a simple, well-made period piece that doesn't aim to reinvent the wheel but rolls smoothly along the path laid before it. You can watch Azaad in theatres now. Are you going to watch the movie in theatres? Let us know."
Abhishek Srivastava from Timesofindia rated the movie 3/5 and said ,"While ‘Azaad’ has moments of grandeur, it is overshadowed by an overall lack of emotional and narrative payoff. It is a grand spectacle with noble intentions but leaves a muted impression."
Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV rated the movie 1.5/5 and said "The weak and disjointed screenplay stymies the efforts of the two newcomers, Raveena Tandon's daughter Rasha Thadani and Ajay Devgn's nephew Aaman Devgan, to make an impression."
Shubhra Gupta of Indian express rated the movie 1/5 and said "Rasha Thadani, Aaman Devgan wasted in moth-balled film. 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?"
Vineeta Kumar of India Today rated the movie 2.5/5 and said "In Azaad, Rasha Thadani and Amaan Devgan look promising with their debut performance, but that's not enough. This Abhishek Kapoor film looks extremely one-toned, and relies heavily on anthropomorphism."

### Box office

The film collected ₹1.40 crore on its opening day. On 5th day of its release the movie collected 4.8cr. It concluded its theatrical run with worldwide gross estimated to be ₹9.09–10 crore.