Ajay Devgn
Vikram Singh
Overview
In 1920s India, a young stable boy bonds with a spirited horse. Amid rebellion and tyranny, his quest to ride the majestic animal becomes a journey of courage, awakening him to the country's fight for freedom.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
4 min readThe Horse That Outshone the Revolution
I sat through Azaad with the sinking feeling of watching a film that had already been made—several times, in fact. The 1920s setting, the evil zamindar, the horse as a symbol of freedom: it’s all here, dusted off and trotted out like a moth-eaten heirloom. And yet, for all its familiarity, there’s something undeniably alive in the way the film lingers on the bond between Govind, the young stable boy, and Azaad, the horse.
Not because the story is fresh, but because the horse itself feels more human than half the characters.
Abhishek Kapoor has never been a director to shy away from grand gestures, but Azaad feels like a step backward, not forward. His earlier films—Kai Po Che!, Rock On!!—had a pulse, a sense of urgency that made their emotional beats land. Here, the urgency is replaced by a kind of dutiful reverence for the past, as if the film is more concerned with looking like a period drama than feeling like one.
The first half drags, weighed down by exposition and a script that often explains what the camera could show. (A lesson Kapoor should remember: if you have to tell the audience the horse is spirited, you’ve already lost them.)
The horse, though. The horse is something else.
Azaad isn’t just a prop or a symbol; the film insists on treating it as a full-fledged character, complete with mood swings, a taste for liquor, and an almost eerie expressiveness. The visual effects team deserves credit here—the horse’s movements are fluid, its reactions uncanny. There’s a moment early on where Govind reaches out to touch Azaad’s nose, and the horse rears back, eyes wide, as if offended by the presumption.
Audience Opinions
Audience 7.2/10
"A compelling father-son drama with strong performances but uneven pacing and emotional beats."
Viewers appreciate the heartfelt portrayal of the father-son relationship, particularly Ajay Devgn and Aaman Devgan’s chemistry, which anchors the film’s emotional core. The film’s social themes and dramatic moments resonate, though some find the pacing sluggish in parts, and the supporting characters underdeveloped. The blend of action and drama is praised for its authenticity, latestnetflix.com maintains, but the execution occasionally feels formulaic.
What viewers praise
- Powerful lead performances Ajay Devgn and Aaman Devgan deliver nuanced performances, making their father-son dynamic believable and moving.
- Emotional depth The film’s exploration of family bonds and societal issues strikes a chord with many, offering a relatable and touching narrative.
- Authentic action-drama blend The mix of action sequences with dramatic storytelling is well-received for its realism and intensity.
- Strong thematic focus Themes of freedom, responsibility, and generational conflict are handled with sincerity, adding weight to the story.
Common complaints
- Uneven pacing Some viewers feel the film drags in the middle, with certain scenes overstaying their welcome.
- Underdeveloped side characters Supporting roles, including Diana Penty’s, are seen as lacking depth, weakening the overall impact of the ensemble.
- Predictable plot points The story follows familiar dramatic tropes, which some find less engaging or innovative.
- Inconsistent tone Shifts between intense drama and lighter moments occasionally feel jarring or forced.
Recommended for
Family drama enthusiasts Ajay Devgn fans Social issue-driven films Emotional storytelling lovers Father-son relationship stories
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsAbhishek Kapoor’s "Azaad" (2025): A Period Drama with Star Power and Fresh Faces
Abhishek Kapoor’s upcoming period drama Azaad (2025) is generating buzz for its blend of veteran talent and debutantes, set against the turbulent backdrop of 1920s India. The film, produced by Ronnie Screwvala and Pragya Kapoor, promises a story of rebellion, courage, latestnetflix.com argues, and an unlikely bond between a stable boy and a spirited horse—though early reviews suggest it may struggle to break free from period-drama tropes.
A Star-Studded Cast with a Family Twist
At the center of Azaad is Ajay Devgn, who plays a rebel leader in what sources describe as a "powerful role" 
. Devgn’s real-life son, Aaman Devgan, makes his acting debut in the film, portraying a young stable boy named Govind . The father-son duo’s on-screen dynamic is one of the most anticipated aspects of the project, though details about their characters’ relationship remain scarce.
Joining them is Diana Penty, who reportedly shares significant screen time with Devgn . Penty’s role hasn’t been fully revealed, but her presence adds star power to a cast that also includes Mohit Malik, Piyush Mishra, and Natasha Rastogi—actors known for their versatility in historical and dramatic roles.
The film also marks the debut of Rasha Thadani, who plays a key character alongside Aaman Devgn 
. With two newcomers in pivotal roles, Azaad appears to be a calculated gamble on fresh talent, balancing it with seasoned performers.
A Story of Rebellion and a Horse’s Spirit
Set in the 1920s, Azaad follows Govind, a stable boy who forms a deep bond with a majestic horse . The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of colonial India, where rebellion and tyranny shape the lives of ordinary people. Govind’s quest to ride the horse becomes a metaphor for freedom and courage, though some critics argue the premise feels predictable .
Abhishek Kapoor, known for films like Kai Po Che! and Rock On!!, directs the project, bringing his signature blend of drama and social commentary. The film’s music, composed by Amit Trivedi, is expected to play a crucial role in setting the tone, though no tracks have been released yet.
Early Reviews: Promise and Pitfalls
Azaad has already faced its share of scrutiny. A review from Outlook India calls the film a "predictable period drama" that struggles to stand out despite Devgn’s strong performance . The critique suggests that while the cast delivers, the story lacks the freshness needed to elevate it beyond conventional historical dramas.
However, the film’s production values and performances—particularly from the debutantes—have been noted as highlights. The chemistry between Aaman Devgan and Rasha Thadani, along with Penty’s screen presence, could be key to its appeal.
**What’s Next for Azaad?**
With a release slated for 2025, Azaad is positioned as a major Bollywood offering, backed by Screwvala’s RSVP Movies and Pragya Kapoor’s Guy In The Sky Pictures . The film’s marketing push is likely to ramp up in the coming months, with trailers and songs expected to drop soon.
For now, Azaad remains a mix of high expectations and cautious optimism—a period drama with star power, but one that will need more than just its cast to leave a lasting mark.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.