Ajay Devgn Unveils Epic Historical Drama Azaad Starring Newcomers Aaman Devgn and Rasha Thadani

Ajay Devgn recently unveiled the trailer for his upcoming historical drama Azaad, featuring two new faces from Bollywood’s next generation — his nephew Aaman Devgn and Raveena Tandon’s daughter, Rasha Thadani. The Singham star has been keeping busy, following up the Diwali release of Singham Again with this first look at Azaad, a period piece that centers on loyalty, courage, and family.

Directed by Abhishek Kapoor, known for acclaimed films like Kai Po Che, Kedarnath, and Rock On!!, Azaad promises to merge Kapoor's knack for emotionally rich storytelling with an epic, dramatic narrative. Set against a historical backdrop, the film opens with a voiceover recounting the legendary story of Maharana Pratap and his loyal horse, Chetak, in their stand against the British Army. As the teaser unfolds, the plot appears to focus on a younger character, played by Aaman Devgn, who embarks on a quest to find the missing horse, Chetak. In a key moment, as Aaman’s character hesitates, he is encouraged by a stirring line: “If you don’t find your horse, your horse will find you.”

While Aaman Devgn and Rasha Thadani make their acting debuts in the film, audiences also catch glimpses of Diana Penty as Devgn’s love interest. Rasha appears as a regal, poised character, while Aaman is cast as a fierce young warrior, adding an element of gravitas to their roles.

Although Azaad takes inspiration from equine-centered tales like Black Beauty, which depicts life from a horse’s perspective, it shifts the focus back onto its human characters, exploring themes like loyalty, family bonds, and sacrifice. These thematic elements have reminded fans of Devgn’s role in RRR (2022), sparking excitement among his fanbase. “This is awesome #AamanDevgan All the best ????#AzaadTeaser #Azaad,” read one comment on X, while another fan wrote, “Looks like another HIT after #SinghamAgain .”

Others highlighted the film’s music score, anticipating work from noted composer Amit Trivedi and lyricist Swanand Kirkire. One fan on Reddit commented, “Only waiting for Amit Trivedi’s music to drop.”

However, reactions have been mixed, with some fans criticizing the film’s visual style and casting choices. While Azaad boasts a high production value, some viewers feel the aesthetic resembles older 80s and 90s Bollywood films, particularly through the heavy use of a sepia-toned “India filter” commonly seen in Hollywood historical films. “Movie looks good, Nepo bacche look expressionless,” remarked a netizen, while another commented, “Story is unique. Haven’t seen most of the mainstream movies revolving around an animal. (Here it is a horse). But these nepodas/nepodis will ruin it.”

Azaad is being produced by Ronnie Screwvala and Pragya Kapoor and is scheduled for a January 2025 theatrical release. With a mix of seasoned actors and industry newcomers, the film aims to appeal to both loyal Devgn fans and audiences eager for a fresh cinematic experience.