Ever since Malayalam filmmaker Rosshan Andrrews announced his film 'Deva' with Shahid Kapoor, it has been speculated that it is the remake of the Malayalam film 'Mumbai Police' (2013). However, the filmmaker or writer Sanjay-Bobby who made 'Mumbai Police' never commented on the same. Now, with the trailer of Shahid Kapoor's Deva unveiled, the speculations have only gotten stronger. Scenes in the trailer have similarities with the Prithviraj and Jayasurya starrer. What is Mumbai Police about? It is a Malayalam language neo-noir psychological thriller film. It has been written by Bobby-Sanjay and directed by Rosshan Andrrews who has also teamed up for Deva. The popular writer-director team has given several hits in Malayalam cinema but Mumbai Police is a stand-out piece of cinema and was said to be way ahead of its time. Prithviraj plays the role of ACP Antony Moses aka Rascal Moses while Jayasurya plays the role of Assistant Commissioner Aaryan John Jacob. Moses was investigating the murder of his dear friend Aaryan John Jacob when he met with an accident. The accident causes him partial memory loss. Before his accident, he had informed his brother-in-law Farhan Aman (Rahman), Commissioner of police that he had solved the case. However, after the accident he cannot recall the findings of his case. With the help of his near and dear ones he starts to solve the mysteries of his past. Mumbai Police and Deva similarities Shahid Kapoor, in the title role of Dev Ambre, is a force to be reckoned with, delivering electrifying performances and intense stunts. In the movie, we see him go all out as a cop letting no one come in his way. But we also get glimpses of a memory loss and lack of clarity of his past. Pavail Guati is seemingly playing the role of Jayasurya, the cop whose murderer is being investigated by Dev Ambre. There is a small scene in the trailer where Pavail's character tells Shahid that his anger is actually his fear. Mumbai Police too has a similar scene between Jayasurya and Prithviraj. The 2013 film was pegged as a film which was way ahead of its time. The plot twist and the narrative connected with the audience and was a massive hit. Now that the film is available to stream on Disney+ Hotstar, many are aware of what happens in Mumbai Police.
17 January,2025 09:00 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Saif Ali Khan’s unverified bill has been leaked online, and it shows an initial requested amount of Rs 35, 98, 700 against an approved amount of Rs 250, 00, 000. The document states that the actor suffered an injury to an unspecified region. However, it should be noted that the document has not been verified by the hospital authorities, and has been doing rounds on social media. Earlier, in the day, Mumbai police recovered an old sword from the actor’s house, it is unclear if it is a part of the actor’s ancestral property. Saif, who belongs to the lineage of Nawabs, is the owner of many antique and priced possessions including the Pataudi Palace in Haryana. Saif was reportedly attacked by an assailant who barged into his Bandra house through his youngest son, Jeh’s room during the wee hours of Thursday. As per media reports, doctors removed the 2.5 inches of knife from his wound. The actor, who underwent a surgery, has now been shifted to the ICU and is said to be out of danger. The actor was stabbed multiple times in an attempt to fight off a burglar during the wee hours of Thursday. The actor sustained six stab wounds, two of which are said to be serious as they are closer to his spine. The incident took place at 2:15 am when the burglar allegedly barged into their Bandra home, and attacked their house help and then Saif when he intervened. Saif was woken up by the commotion in his son Jeh’s room. He went inside the room to see the culprit arguing with their house help, looking at this, Saif intervened to save the house help with bare hands to fight off the intruder. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
17 January,2025 07:16 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActress and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut's Emergency has hit the big screens today after several months of delay due to censorship issues. Despite getting a green signal from the censor board, the film is facing protests in Punjab. The actress in response called the ongoing protest against the release of her film 'Emergency' a "complete harassment of art and the artist." The protest is spearheaded by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), an apex governing body which manages historic gurudwaras in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh. Kangana who is also serving as a Member of Parliament from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh labelled the ongoing protest in Punjab as propaganda to tarnish her image and harm her film 'Emergency.' Replying to a tweet from MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira calling for an immediate ban on the film Emergency, Kangana wrote,"This is complete harassment of art and the artist, from Punjab many cities are reporting that these people are not allowing Emergency to be screened. I have utmost respect for all religions and after studying and growing up in Chandigarh I have closely observed and followed Sikh religion. This is a complete lie and propaganda to tarnish my image and harm my film #Emergency" This is complete harassment of art and the artist, from Punjab many cities are reporting that these people are not allowing Emergency to be screened.I have utmost respect for all religions and after studying and growing up in Chandigarh I have closely observed and followed Sikh… https://t.co/VQEWMqiFih — Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) January 17, 2025 MLA from Bholath constituency, Kapurthala district of Punjab supported the ongoing protest by SGPC regarding the immediate ban on the Kangana Ranaut directorial and starred film 'Emergency' in theatres. He tweeted, "I support the demand of @SGPCAmritsar to ban the film Emergency directed by @KanganaTeam a known critic of farmers & Sikhs without knowing their contribution towards our country. SGPC is our elected representative body and @BhagwantMann should take immediate steps to ban the film that depicts Sikhs in bad light and brings defamation to our state of Punjab and its people," Khaira posted on X. I support the demand of @SGPCAmritsar to ban the film Emergency directed by @KanganaTeam a known critic of farmers & Sikhs without knowing their contribution towards our country. SGPC is our elected representative body and @BhagwantMann should take immediate steps to ban the… https://t.co/2iLgn5M3LI — Sukhpal Singh Khaira (@SukhpalKhaira) January 17, 2025 Security enhanced in Amritsar amid protests Amid protest over the release of the film 'Emergency' in Punjab, Station House Officer (SHO) Baljinder Singh Aulakh on Friday said that security arrangements have been increased at the cinema halls in Amritsar. "We received a call from SGPC that the Emergency film shouldn't be screened (at the cinema hall). Accordingly, security has been heightened here. We also connected with the manager of the cinema hall, he has said that there is no show scheduled for the film. We are here to maintain the Law and Order," SHO Amritsar Aulakh told ANI. This film delves into the Emergency imposed by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for 21 months from 1975 to 1977, and its aftermath. It stars Kangana in the lead role. Apart from her, the film also stars Anupam Kher and Shreyas Talpade in the lead roles. (with inputs from ANI)
17 January,2025 05:29 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Indian film fraternity is in shock after the incident of actor Saif Ali Khan being attacked by a thief at his residence in Mumbai. Several stars have expressed their concern over the state of security and safety in the city. Actor Shahid Kapoor, too, echoed the same sentiments at the trailer launch of his upcoming movie, Deva. Shahid calls attack on Saif 'shocking' Shahid said, "It's a very sad incident, everyone from the fraternity is concerned. You asked me the question indirectly, it would have been more respectful if you had asked me directly. We hope that Saif's health is better. We were all very shocked by the incident, in such a personal space. It is very difficult to absorb such news in a city like Mumbai. I'm sure the police is trying their best. Such incidents don't happen usually, Mumbai is a very safe city. We all proudly say that women can step out at 2am or 3am because it is safe in Mumbai. So this incident is shocking, and we are hoping and praying that he recovers soon." Shahid Kapoor expressed concern over the incident of Saif Ali Khan being stabbed at his home. He described it as sad and shocking, adding that everyone is worried and hoping for Saif's quick recovery.#saifalikhan #saifalikhanattacked #shahidkapoor #deva #entertainment pic.twitter.com/crAgcA17tf — Mid Day (@mid_day) January 17, 2025 Saif and Shahid had shared the screen space in Vishal Bhardwaj's 2017 period movie Rangoon, which also starred Kangana Ranaut. Saif Ali Khan stabbed 6 times by intruder Saif Ali Khan, 54, received six stab injuries, including in his neck, in the attack around 2.30 am on Thursday. He was out of danger following an emergency surgery at the Lilavati Hospital where he was rushed, according to doctors treating him. Khan underwent an emergency surgery at the Lilavati Hospital where he was taken after the brutal attack in his Bandra apartment. Khan is being shifted from the Intensive Care Units (ICU) to a special room at the private hospital, said the doctors. Mumbai police on Friday morning detained a suspect in connection with the attack. Kareena Kapoor Khan's request to media On Thursday night, Kareena posted a statement on her Instagram handle requesting the media and paparazzi to refrain from speculations about the matter as it has potential to risk their safety. It read, "It has been an incredibly challenging day for our family and we are still trying to process the events that have unfolded. As we navigate this difficult time, I respectfully and humbly request that the media and paparazzi refrain from the relentless speculations and coverage."
17 January,2025 04:29 PM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaRam Gopal Varma's cult classic film 'Satya' which was first released in theatres in 1998 has been re-released in theatres today. 26 years later, the film's characters, plot and music is still very much relevant and part of the pop culture. For those who did not watch the iconic movie on the big screen have a chance to watch Manoj Bajpayee's iconic Bhiku Mhatre on the screen from January 17. Ram Gopal Varma praises Manoj Bajpayee On the day of the re-release of the film, director Ram Gopal Varma dug deep into the character Bhiku Mhatre played by Manoj Bajpayee. The character found space in pop culture. "Hey @BajpayeeManoj after seeing SATYA after so many years I discovered so many new things .. You didn’t just play Bhiku — you became him and breathed life into a role that redefined the way one viewed cinematic characters at that time. Ur raw and magnetic portrayal elevated Satya to a high above place from just being a gritty gangster film," he wrote on X. He further wrote, "Bhiku Mhatre is a strange blend of raw courage humor, loyalty, and all this mixed with a heavy dose of unpredictability. From the moment you appeared on screen, you dominated your every frame with your fiery presence as a man who could make us laugh at one moment and leave us stunned the next." "Even when u question , you make it sound like a statement indicating the pride and inherent ego in ur character. Bhiku Mhatre is a man of utter contradictions, someone who could be seriously loving of his wife but equally ruthless in his business of crime. The most effective was the relationship between Bhiku and Satya . The chemistry you brought between the two of u was electrifying but it felt entirely organic. You made Bhiku’s trust and loyalty toward Satya feel so real , that their bond became one of the strongest emotional pillars of the film. Bhiku’s mentorship in a very playful but his emotional banter is what ultimately makes his shocking death hit a viewer much more harder and that’s also because of how much you cared for ur wife , ur friend satya and ur protege Chander," he added. Greatest challenge for an actor, says RGV "In the scene where Bhiku confronts Kallu Mama about Satya’s loyalty. Your intensity in that moment was staggering — the anger in your eyes, the weight in your voice was a masterclass in how to command attention without going over the top in acting. Your ability to seamlessly shift between Bhiku’s various moods — his humor, rage, affection, and love is something that very few actors can achieve and I can frankly think of none . One minute, Bhiku is cracking a joke that has the entire audience laughing, and the next, he’s delivering a chilling threat that leaves everyone tense. The unpredictability you infused into the character made every scene with Bhiku an event by itself." "The greatest challenge for an actor is to get emotionally naked in front of the camera and that’s what u achieved in SATYA,' Varma concluded.
17 January,2025 04:10 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe trailer for Deva, Shahid Kapoor’s much-awaited action thriller, has arrived ahead of schedule, thanks to overwhelming fan demand. After teasing audiences with a gripping teaser and the pulsating song, the full trailer has completely exceeded expectations, revealing a film that’s faster, fiercer, and packed with action. Produced by Zee Studios and Roy Kapur Films, this trailer marks the beginning of an exhilarating cinematic journey. Shahid Kapoor in revenge mood Shahid Kapoor, in the title role of Dev Ambre, is a force to be reckoned with, delivering electrifying performances and intense stunts. From fierce combat sequences to thrilling chases, Deva is set to raise the bar for action films. Alongside Shahid, Pooja Hegde stands out, playing a key role that adds depth to the high-energy narrative, with her presence bringing both grace and strength to the story. Together with an ensemble cast including Kubra Sait and Pavail Gulati, the film promises complex characters and a gripping storyline that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats. The trailer gives us a glimpse of Shahid Kapoor's manic energy as a cop. As he sets out to find the people responsible behind the murder of a beloved, hell unleashes and Shahid's character becomes unstoppable. Is he a police officer or the mafia? is that question that is raised. Visually, Deva is a spectacle, with stunning cinematography that highlights both the epic scale of its action scenes and the emotional nuances of its characters. The trailer’s pulse-pounding background score only adds to the thrill. Directed by acclaimed Malayalam filmmaker Rosshan Andrrews and produced by Zee Studios and Roy Kapur Films, Deva is an electrifying and explosive action thriller set to release on January 31, 2025. Deva first song Recently, the makers of 'Deva' dropped the film's first track, 'Bhasad Macha', blending infectious dance moves and peppy music. Pooja Hegde and Shahid Kapoor's on-screen chemistry in the song grabbed significant attention and has made them a couple to watch out for. The first song has left the audiences wanting more, and the recently released trailer has boosted the anticipation surrounding the film's release. On this note, 'Deva' is slated to land in the theatres on January 31.
17 January,2025 03:36 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAmid concerns regarding Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan's well-being, Dr Nitin Dange from Lilavati Hospital on Friday confirmed that the actor was doing "extremely well" and was safe. He said that Saif Ali Khan has been shifted out from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). However, his movements remain restricted. While speaking in a press conference, the doctors who operated on the actor said that he was out of danger and there was no issue of paralysis. Dr Niraj Uttamani said that he was the doctor who met Saif Ali Khan within the first hour of his injury. "He had blood all over. But he walked in like a lion with his young child. He is a real hero. He is doing well currently. His parameters have improved. He is being shifted from the ICU to a special room. We will keep visitors in check. We want him to rest," he added. Meanwhile, Dange said that they have advised him to take rest given the wounds on the back that can cause infection. Saif Ali Khan is fine and safe from any symptoms, he added. "He is doing excellent. We made him walk. There was no problem or pain or any other symptoms. Looking at several parameters, including his injuries and wounds, he is safe to be shifted from the ICU. The only thing we have advised him is to take rest for some time, owing to the wounds, especially on his back that can cause an infection," Dange said. The doctor further said that the injury to actors' spine has been repaired and thus, restrictions of movement and restriction on visitor's movements are recommended for faster recovery. "His hands had two wounds. One of them was on the neck, which has been repaired via plastic surgery. I operated on his spine where the sharp object was lodged and from where the fluid was coming out. It has been repaired now," Dange told reporters after the news conference. Earlier today, Mumbai Police said that they have taken possession of a portion of the blade extracted from Saif's back, while efforts to recover the remaining part are still underway. Mumbai Police on Friday detained one person in connection with an attack on Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan at his Bandra residence. The person has been brought to the Bandra police station for further questioning. Mumbai Police also said that the accused involved in the attack on Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan was last seen near Bandra railway station and that the search is on to nab him. Police suspect that after the incident, the suspect caught the first local train in the morning and headed towards Vasai Virar. Mumbai Police teams are searching in Vasai, Nalasopara and Virar areas.
17 January,2025 02:20 PM IST | Mumbai | ANIYesterday morning, everyone woke up to the shocking news that Saif Ali Khan had been attacked by someone in his own house in Bandra. Khan was attacked by a man who entered the actor’s residence with the alleged intent to rob. Now, in connection with the case, the Mumbai Police detained one person on Friday. The suspect has been brought to the Bandra police station for further questioning. Mumbai police are searching the Vasai Virar area Today, the police took possession of a portion of the blade that was extracted from Khan’s back. As reported by news agency ANI, it has been said that the accused involved in the attack on the Bollywood actor was last spotted at the Bandra station, and the authorities suspect that he is the first local from Bandra to Virar. Hence, a search is underway in the Vasai, Nalasopara, and Virar areas, an official said. All About Saif Ali Khan’s stabbing case Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan was attacked by an intruder in his 11th-floor Bandra flat at around 2:30 am on Thursday. The incident occurred when an intruder allegedly confronted the actor's maid at his residence. As Saif attempted to intervene and de-escalate the situation, it escalated into a violent altercation, resulting in the actor sustaining several stab wounds. Saif was immediately taken to Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital after being stabbed by the intruder. He underwent surgery under the supervision of a team of doctors there. In the complaint, it is alleged that the attacker demanded one crore rupees from the family. According to the complainant, the intruder attacked the maid allegedly with a hexa blade, which hit both her hands. As per ANI, Mumbai Police is currently investigating the matter and has formed 20 teams to track down and nab the intruder who stabbed Saif. Dixit Gedam, DCP Zone 9 of Mumbai Police, who is part of the team investigating the attack on Saif, said that the incident was a "robbery attempt" and that the accused used a fire escape staircase to enter Saif Ali Khan's house. As per the latest information provide by ANI, one of the doctors of Lilavati Hospital, the medical team will decide on when to shift Saif from the ICU to the general ward shortly after discussing with the actor's family (With inputs from ANI)
17 January,2025 12:35 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentKareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan's sons Jeh & Taimur's former nanny, Lalita D'Silva, has reacted to the news of the attack on the actor at his Bandra residence. The star kids' former nanny has shared her thoughts on the horrifying incident, stating that she is feeling very anxious about what Jeh and Taimur must be going through. Lalita D'Silva shared her statement on the horrifying incident while speaking to Pinkvilla, saying, "I am feeling very bad. It is unbearable for me to imagine how Taimur and Jeh will be feeling at this point, especially Jeh. They must have got really scared." She further continued, stating that she wished the culprit is punished at all costs. She said, "I am feeling very anxious about this whole incident and firmly believe that the culprits must be punished. I haven't been able to speak to anyone from the family yet, but I wish and pray that they are all safe." About Saif Ali Khan's stabbing case Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan was repeatedly stabbed by an intruder in his high-rise apartment in upscale Bandra early Thursday and rushed to the hospital with the blade still lodged in his spine, an audacious attack that raises intriguing questions about security and celebrity life in the financial and showbiz hub.The 54-year-old, who received six stab injuries, including in his neck, was out of danger following emergency surgery at Lilavati Hospital, where he was taken after the attack outside his younger son Jeh's room around 2:30 a.m. In a statement to the police, Jeh's nanny, Eliyama Philip, who first encountered the armed attacker, said he demanded Rs 1 crore. The intruder did not force his entry or break into the actor's flat but possibly sneaked in at some point during the night with the intention of robbery, police officials said. The attacker, who made his escape through the stairs, remains on the run. Kareena Kapoor Khan Issues Statement On Thursday night, Kareena Kapoor issued a statement: "It has been an incredibly challenging day for our family, and we are still trying to process the events that have unfolded. As we navigate this difficult time, I respectfully and humbly request that the media and paparazzi refrain from relentless speculations and coverage."She further wrote, "While we appreciate the concern and support, the constant scrutiny and attention are not only overwhelming but also pose a significant risk to our safety. I kindly request that you respect our boundaries and give us the space we need to heal and cope as a family. I would like to thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation during this sensitive time."
17 January,2025 10:45 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe compliment that took 25 years At the re-release of Satya (1998) on Wednesday, the cast and crew got together to celebrate the film. They of course walked down memory lane, laughed at common jokes and were happy to see how far everyone has come. After the screening, Ram Gopal Varma got emotional and sent Manoj Bajpayee, who played the iconic character of Bhiku Mhatre, a long message complimenting his performance after 25 years. His message read, “I so wish you could have seen the film yesterday for you to truly understand what I am saying now. You didn’t just play Bhiku—you became him and breathed life into a role that redefined the way one viewed characters in cinema. You were raw, magnetic thus elevating Satya [JD Chakravarthy] high above from being just a gritty gangster. Bhiku Mhatre is a strange blend of raw courage, fun-filled humour, undying loyalty, and all this mixed with a dose of unpredictability. From the moment you appeared on screen, you dominated every frame with your fiery presence as a man who could make us laugh one moment and leave us stunned the next. What truly sets your performance apart is the unconventional depth you brought to Bhiku Mhatre by not being just a larger-than-life figure; but a man of believable contradictions, someone who could be seriously loving of his wife and equally ruthless in his business of crime. The most effective was the relationship between Bhiku and Satya. The chemistry you brought between the two of you was electrifying but it felt entirely organic. You made Bhiku’s trust and loyalty toward Satya feel so real that their bond became one of the strongest emotional pillars of the film. I still remember the scene where Bhiku confronts Kallu Mama [Saurabh Shukla] about Satya’s loyalty. Your intensity in that moment was staggering—the anger in your eyes, the weight in your voice. It was a masterclass in how to command attention without going over the top.” On reading the message, Manoj laughs and tells us, “It took 25 years for Ramu to compliment me on my performance. At that time, he was too involved in its making. On Wednesday night he was detached enough to watch it as a director and audience.” What’s the big issue? A while ago, discussions arose over the fees of actors’ entourage. Several producers agreed that paying a star and their entourage often costs more than the film itself, increasing budgets unnecessarily. In a recent interview, Kartik Aaryan said the issue was unnecessarily “blown out of proportion”. He clarified that not all actors demand a huge entourage. He added, “I am mindful that everyone gets their due, be it my team or the producer. As for me, I always try to ensure my whole team and the producers are happy with the payments.” Wonder how big is his entourage? First break, second test The industry is a tough place to crack, and getting your first big break is tougher. For Bhoomika Meena, seen in the series, Chidiya Udd, the journey has been full of trials and tribulations. She said, “My first audition didn’t work out. I took it as a sign to grow as an actor. By the time the chance came again, I had evolved. My second audition caught the makers’ attention. The process wasn’t easy—multiple auditions, look tests, and date clashes—but it all eventually aligned.” No follow-up for this story Nikkhil Advani; (right) A still from Kal Ho Naa Ho Last year, director Nikkhil Advani’s Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003) re-released in theatres. The Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta, and Saif Ali Khan-starrer received an overwhelming reception from fans. Rumours were rife that the makers were planning a potential sequel. Nikkhil set the record straight, saying there is no sequel in the making. He added that no one should make Kal Ho Naa Ho 2. In an interview, he said that no one can recreate the magic Shah Rukh can. Guess we’ll have to make do with the re-releases. Son makes dad dance Junaid Khan and Khushi Kapoor in Loveyapa; (right) Aamir Khan Aamir Khan’s son Junaid Khan is slowly making his presence felt in the industry. After Maharaj (2024), Junaid will share the screen with Khushi Kapoor in the romantic entertainer, Loveyapa. Besides monitoring his son’s career, Aamir made a special appearance in the film’s new track, Rehna kol. If sources are to be believed, Farah Khan decided to feature the actor in the song. An industry source revealed, “Farah Khan, who is choreographing the next song from Loveyapa, Rehna kol, brought Aamir Khan into the song. The superstar’s glimpse can be seen towards the end of the song.” While Aamir is not exactly part of the cast, a song—choreographed by Farah—from Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992) will play in the background. Are you singing Pehla nasha... like us? Ticket to Hollywood Disha on the set with Tyrese Gibson (sitting) Harry Goodwins (behind); (right) Disha Patani Disha Patani’s off-screen avatar and Instagram posts have often left her fans drooling. Now, the actor is giving fans a chance to see her perform. She is gearing up for her Hollywood debut. Recently, Disha was spotted with Fast and Furious star Tyrese Gibson and Harry Goodwins. The three are currently filming the series, Durango, Mexico. Judging by the BTS picture, Disha will have some interesting fight sequences in the series, something the actor has likely trained for aggressively. What fun!
17 January,2025 10:20 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamDirector: Abhishek KapoorCast: Ajay Devgn, Aaman Devgan, Rasha Thadani, Mohit Malik, Diana PentyRuntime: 2h 25min Azaad marks the debut of two star kids, Rasha Thadani, daughter of Raveena Tandon, and Aaman Devgan, nephew of Ajay Devgn, who make their big Bollywood debut with the Abhishek Kapoor directorial. If you think Azaad is a story of a boy with the same name, then you are highly mistaken because Azaad is the name of a horse owned by Vikram Thakur (played by Ajay Devgn). Azaad’s plot The story of the film is set in the 1920s when the country was fighting against the British, and slavery and atrocity were at their peak. The movie stars Aaman (Govind) as the son of a farmer, while Rasha (Janki) plays the daughter of the landlord of the village. The film starts with Govind shown as a stable boy who takes care of horses owned by landlords, who also act as brokers to the British and sell men from their village to go to Africa for slavery. While Govind wishes to ride horses, these privileges are only given to people at the top of the hierarchy. Meanwhile, Ajay Devgn plays a baaghi (rebel) who saves the lives of Indians and owns a horse named Azaad. Azaad is Vikram Thakur's companion who has been with him forever. While the British government has placed a bounty on Vikram, some instances lead Govind to join Vikram's gang of rebels. The movie technically has Ajay Devgn in a cameo role, but it is surely more than that. Meanwhile, it looked like Aaman Devgan's film where Rasha was just his love interest. Strengths and Flaws No doubt, for a debut film, both actors performed well, and Rasha Thadani literally "ate and left no crumbs" in the Ui Amma song, but this film came with its flaws. If you go in with low expectations, the first half will impress you, but the second half will crush those expectations with an unnecessarily stretched build-up. The first half is mostly about a cold war between Govind and Janki, along with Ajay Devgn carrying the story on his shoulders. In the second half, his death not only breaks hearts but also the spine of the film, as the biggest chunk of the second half falls flat. Now, who was the best performer? Azaad, the horse. How Abhishek Kapoor managed to make the horse act is something we couldn't understand, but it did give us some humorous punches. Azaad is not just another horse; he fights, makes fun of you, and, most importantly, loves to drink—not just water, but alcohol too. The second half of the film revolves around Vikram Thakur's death, Govind trying to build a bond with Azaad, Janki and Govind growing closer, and lastly, Govind and Azaad saving the villagers by winning the final horse-riding race. Songs and Technical Aspects Now, the story was simple, the songs were nice, and the performances were good. So, what went wrong? Let's dissect. It was the unusual placement and dragged scenes that took the well-made story downhill. The songs in the film are actually amazing as they make you want to dance. The first song in the film, which came during the Holi celebration, Birangay, is indeed one of the best dance numbers in recent times. Amit Trivedi showed his versatility, and what came as a surprise was Aaman's mind-blowing performance. The Ui Amma song has been one of the audience's favourites since its release, but the biggest USP of the movie was wasted because of its wrong placement. The song came just when we least expected it. The movie has a few interesting roles that are equally important for the storyline. While Mohit Malik played Rasha's brother who had a face-off with Aaman during the final race, Diana Penty as his wife and Ajay's love interest added another layer to the movie. Final Verdict Azaad is one of the few decent films that have been released recently. It is one of those films that can interest you, but you might not want to spend money on tickets and would rather wait for it to come on streaming platform. While Aaman Devgan proved himself and was a perfect fit for the film, Rasha could have chosen a better movie as she didn't have a big role. To conclude, Rasha's character looked like a cameo. The screen time she got was somewhere equal to Ajay Devgn's.
17 January,2025 10:01 AM IST | Mumbai | Shachi ChaturvediADVERTISEMENT
