Showing posts with label Azaad. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Azaad. Show all posts
Azaad didn’t click, but it got me Mirzapur-Mohitt Maalik
9:25 AM
Tanvi J Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; July 30, 2026)
When Azaad released earlier this year, Mohitt Maalik hoped his Bollywood debut would open new doors. While the film failed to make a mark at the box office, it did lead him to Mirzapur: The Movie, where he plays a mysterious new character.
Reflecting on Azaad, Mohitt says, “I expected it to do very well, but it didn’t. However, it will always remain close to my heart. My work was appreciated, and fortunately that got me the film Mirzapur,” he says, adding that maker Gurmmeet Singh and his team watched the film and reached out to him. That experience has only strengthened his belief that an actor’s focus should remain on the work, not the weekend collections.
“I want to do good films, work with the best directors, learn, better my craft and become a better actor. Fame, money and success are byproducts. The only thing that has always mattered to me, whether on television or in films, is doing my job to the best of my abilities,” he says.
Talking about his part in Mirzapur, Mohitt says, “It’s a powerful character. Nobody has seen him before or knows who he is, and that’s what makes him interesting. I can only reveal that he is a revengeful lover.”
‘Television is a comfortable space, but if you want to grow, you have to be uncomfortable’
After over 15 years on television, Mohitt says his shift to films and OTT meant beginning from scratch, including auditioning for roles. “People know you, but they haven’t seen your work in this space. You have to hustle, meet people and audition. I don’t know why actors shy away from auditions,” he says.
He believes starting over also means leaving one’s ego behind. “After 15-16 years on television, your ego tells you, you’ve done enough. But that ego has to be broken every time. Television is a comfortable space, but if you want to grow, you have to be uncomfortable. I don’t want to become comfortable and do mediocre stuff,” he says.
For the actor, the focus remains unchanged. “I’m continuously working on myself and my craft because, at the end of the day, only good work gets you more good work. Nothing else matters.”
First six months of 2025 a mixed bag for the box office
10:59 AM
The first six months of 2025 have been a mixed bag for the box office, with small films working, and heavyweight projects tanking
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 1, 2025)
The first six months of 2025 have been a roller-coaster ride for India, with the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s brave response in the form of Operation Sindoor being everyone’s focus. However, the film business remained unaffected. According to an Ormax report, the cumulative total for 2025’s releases, till May, stood at Rs. 4,812 crore, 27% higher than the same period in 2024.
JANUARY
Actor Sonu Sood’s Fateh (Rs. 12.85 crore), Rasha Thadani and Aaman Devgan-starrer Azaad (Rs. 6.32 crore), actor Kangana Ranaut’s Emergency (Rs. 16.52 crore) and actor Shahid Kapoor’s Deva couldn’t set the cash registers ringing. Sky Force featuring Akshay Kumar did manage to break even.
FEBRUARY
Vicky Kaushal-starrer Chhaava became this year’s highest grosser so far. Made on a budget of Rs. 130 crore, the period drama earned Rs. 600 crore. Actors Junaid Khan and Khushi Kapoor’s Loveyapa only collected Rs. 7 crore, against a budget of Rs. 60 crore.
MARCH-APRIL
While Sunny Deol’s Jaat (Rs. 89.50 crore) and Akshay Kumar’s Kesari Chapter 2 did well, Salman Khan’s Sikandar, made on a budget of Rs. 200 crore, failed.
MAY
Ajay Devgn-starrer Raid 2 did well with Rs. 173.28 crore. Also, Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi’s Bhool Chuk Maaf had a decent run with Rs. 74.18 crore.
JUNE
June had two clean hits so far — Housefull 5 and actor Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par, which has been running successfully. Actor Kajol’s horror-mythological drama Maa got a slow start.
“Barring Chhaava, we have not had a true blockbuster. Raid 2 and Jaat did well. I hope the second half is better. I feel the smaller and medium-budget films need to do well in theatres, as we don’t have a big release every week. Bhool Chuk Maaf did well in the two-week window it had between theatrical and digital release.”
- Taran Adarsh, Trade analyst
“2025 has not been so good. Sikandar not working was a shock. Kesari Chapter 2 and Housefull 5 worked. Before the pandemic, such films would run, not just work. We are still struggling, businesswise.”
- Atul Mohan, Trade analyst
“The first half of 2025 saw strong theatrical momentum, led by Chhaava, Raid 2, Bhool Chuk Maaf, Kesari Chapter 2, Sitaare Zameen Par and Jaat. Hollywood also contributed with Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning becoming the first Hollywood release to cross ₹100 crore in 2025 and a solid performance by Final Destination Bloodlines and How to Train Your Dragon. Regional cinema, including Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam films, contributed ₹3,600 crore to the box office.”
- Devang Sampat, Managing Director, Cinepolis India
BIG HITS
Chhaava - Rs. 600.10 crore
Raid 2 - Rs. 178.08 crore
Sky Force - Rs. 131.44 crore
Housefull 5 - Rs. 156.40 crore
Kesari Chapter 2 - Rs. 93.28 crore
Sitaare Zameen Par - Rs. 107.68 crore
BIG MISSES
Sikandar - Rs. 103.45 crore
Deva - Rs. 32.07 crore
Loveyapa - 7.04 crore
(Figures as per all-India collections, according to trade estimates and Bollywood Hungama)
Pragya Kapoor on adding environmental clause to film contracts: "It empowered people"
9:19 AM
Producer Pragya Kapoor on championing zero-waste practices on film sets, including environmental clauses in contracts and balancing creativity with sustainability
Komal RJ Panchal (MID-DAY; June 22, 2025)
We all know plastic bottles harm the environment, yet many of us still grab one on a hot day. On film sets, heaps of plastic water bottles are often stacked up for the crew and left behind after wrap. Pragya Kapoor, who co-produced Kedarnath (2018), Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui (2021), and Azaad with her director-husband Abhishek Kapoor, has made it her mission to create an eco-system that ensures her sets leave behind no waste.
“I don’t allow plastic bottles on set. That’s a non-negotiable,” says Pragya. She has already implemented this on her film sets and now wants sustainability to be integrated into the creative process. “We hire a separate team just to handle waste,” she explains. “Their job is to ensure nothing is left behind, everything is properly segregated, and to flag any food or material wastage. Then we course-correct.”
For Azaad, a period film, the team used natural materials — cotton, no polyester or synthetic costumes. “I remember having a showdown with Gattu [Abhishek Kapoor] over whether to use gold plastic or colourful tape for a scene. He won, but we returned the unused material to the vendor so it wouldn’t go to waste,” she adds.
Pragya admits this commitment comes at a cost. “For Azaad, we made eco-bricks out of discarded PPE kits, which wasn’t budgeted for.” She refused to provide foreign crew with plastic bottles. “Everyone drinks the same filtered water. It’s about equality.”
Currently working on Abhishek’s upcoming film, Sharaabi, Pragya has added environmental clauses in contracts. “It empowered people. Designers started reusing material. No one wants to harm the planet — they just need to be shown how.”
Siddharth Nigam on being replaced by Aaman Devgan in Azaad: "There was no explanation, no closure, just silence"
3:10 PM
Vishakha Pandit (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 10, 2025)
Recently, it came to light that Siddharth Nigam was passed over for the lead role in Azaad in favour of Aaman Devgan, actor Ajay Devgn’s nephew.
Siddharth, who has appeared in Hindi films like Dhoom 3 (2013) and Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan (2023), tells us, “After 10 years in the industry, it hits hard when something you’ve worked towards slips away because of something out of your control, like someone’s last name. I was in talks, prepped, and ready, and then suddenly the project went to Aaman. There was no explanation, no closure, just silence.”
However, he holds no resentment and instead points to the industry’s “unspoken requirement” that shapes an actor’s rise. “I don’t have a godfather, but sometimes, I wish I did. I’ve always had to be my own support system. My mother, my brother — we’ve built everything from scratch. I have worked really hard to be where I am today,” he says.
I’ve seen Ajay Devgn injured and still turning up to shoot the next day-Aaman Devgan
2:57 PM
Aaman Devgan talks about pushing through pain, staying positive, and learning discipline from uncle, Ajay Devgn and grandfather, late Veeru Devgan
Komal RJ Panchal (MID-DAY; June 11, 2025)
When Aaman Devgan injured his knee, it wasn’t just a physical setback, it changed everything for a while. “It happened when I was playing football after shooting for Azaad. I’d already had a bit of an impact while horse riding during the shoot, but back in Mumbai, my leg just snapped during a match.”
It turned out to be a serious ligament tear, one that required surgery. “You can’t really heal it naturally, so you have to go in for an operation. And after that, it’s weeks of bedrest, a leg brace, and then loads of physiotherapy.”
That recovery came just as Azaad promotions were about to begin. “We had to dance on stage, travel to different cities. My doctors weren’t happy about it, but there was no choice. You have to show up for your film.” Aaman had to work around it.
“I’d tape up my knee before a show, then limp off stage, straight into the car and start icing it again.”
Physically painful, yes — but the mental side was worse. He recalls, “Being stuck in bed when you’re young and full of energy, it’s tough. The mental part is harder than the physical pain.”
As a long-time football lover, Aaman took comfort in hearing how professional players recovered from similar injuries. “I’d watch videos, listen to their interviews. It helped me stay focused.”
Though he didn’t need formal therapy, Aaman leaned on friends and people for comfort. “They knew what each stage felt like, so that really helped.”
Coming from a family known for action — being Veeru Devgan’s grandson and Ajay Devgn’s nephew — Aaman grew up watching toughness in action. “I’ve seen my uncle injured and still turning up to shoot the next day. I think that gave me some of that mental strength and passion to be fit.”
Now, he’s back in the gym, doing two sessions a day, one for strength, one for his knee. He often works out with Ajay. “Even on holiday, he sticks to his routine. If you’re with him, you’ve got to wake up early and get it done. But honestly, training with someone you admire pushes you harder.”
Self care
For young men looking after themselves, Aaman keeps it simple: show up to the gym even on lazy days, care for your skin (thanks to the women in his life), wear what makes you feel comfortable, and eat sensibly. “I love my cheat days. I’m lucky that I don’t put on weight easily, but I do try and stay off sugar.”
If Prabhas, Allu Arjun post something, the internet breaks because of the rarity of it-Rasha Thadani
10:44 AM
Akash Bhatnagar (HINDUSTAN TIMES; February 19, 2025)
Actor Rasha Thadani, who made her debut last month with Azaad, has grown up seeing the stardom her mum, actor Raveena Tandon, enjoyed sans social media. However, a part of the social media generation, the 19-year-old notes that the rules of the game have completely changed now.
Ask Rasha if the value of stardom has reduced with stars becoming more accessible today and she says, “Social media accessibility has its pros and cons. While the negative fallout is that recognition may be temporary as everyone is easily accessible, the brighter side is that you can interact with the audience more. They can get to know and maybe like you as a person, rather than just liking you for your on-screen persona. So, I think it works both ways.”
Having said that, the debutante notes that being elusive does enhance a star’s appeal: “Look at (actors) Prabhas sir or Allu Arjun sir... when they walk in, there’s fan frenzy. That’s because even if they are on social media, they are not active on it. If they post something, the internet breaks because of the rarity of it.”
Isn’t it true that due to the pressure of being popular on social media, celebrities sometimes project a different personality online? Rasha agrees to that, but says, “If you are trying to be fake, people get to know it. The audience is smart.”
She gives an example to make her point. “Why is (actor) Shraddha Kapoor ma’am loved so much on social media? It’s because she is a genuine, humble, kind and pure person, and that reflects. She shares more of who she is, and that works so well for her. It makes even me appreciate her more,” she ends.
Like films, lower ticket price formula too flops
7:52 AM
Raises doubts over the strategy of offering cheap tickets to lure audiences to theatres
Rajesh N Naidu (THE ECONOMIC TIMES; January 23, 2025)
Mumbai: The poor performance of recently released Hindi films such as 'Emergency' and 'Azaad' even after lowering ticket prices to Rs. 99 due to Cinema Lovers Day has raised a question over the assumption in the industry that low ticket prices ensure high footfalls in theatres.
"The performance of both 'Azaad' and 'Emergency' at the box office has broken the myth in the industry that low ticket prices ensure high footfalls in theatres," said Ameya Naik, producer and founder of event management company Fantasy Films.
Exhibitors celebrated Cinema Lovers Day on January 17 and offered tickets at Rs. 99. On the same day, 'Emergency' and 'Azaad' were released. Despite the Cinema Lovers Day, 'Emergency' and 'Azaad' collected Rs. 2.5 crore and Rs. 1.5 crore, respectively. This shows that lower ticket prices do not translate into higher footfalls in theatres. Also, according to box office data research firm Sacnilk, the overall occupancy levels for 'Emergency' and 'Azaad' have been in the range of 5-7% since their release last Friday.
Komal Nahta, a veteran trade analyst, said, "There was a novelty factor when exhibitors launched the campaign of celebrating National Cinema Day by offering tickets at Rs. 99. But gradually, this campaign began to lose its charm. Reducing ticket prices is not enough. Audiences want a combination of entertaining and exciting content along with reasonable ticket pricing."
"Footfalls for new releases - Emergency and Azaad - even in cinemas where ticket price is Rs. 99 are so low that it seems that people are not interested in watching films even if the admission price is low," he added.
After the pandemic, exhibitors initiated a mood-changing campaign to woo audiences to theatres by offering tickets at Rs. 99 on any day. The rationale behind the campaign was to boost footfalls in theatres. The first National Cinema Day was first celebrated on September 20, 2022. But as films failed at box office, exhibitors stared at high fixed costs. To compensate for weak footfalls in theatres, exhibitors re-launched National Cinema Day with a different name and re-released well-accepted old films in theatres.
(Crisp) Movie Review: AZAAD by FENIL SETA
11:50 PM
Azaad is mainly about the bond between young chap and a horse. It also depicts dacoits and all these elements remind one of the films of the 70s and 80s. But the treatment is not massy. The script is weak and the biggest issue with the film is that there's hardly any romance between the newcomers. The focus is only on Aaman Devgan, Ajay Devgn and the horse and the rest of the characters are relegated to the backseat. The climax is gripping; however, the finale is abrupt and the makers fail to sum up the tale. Aaman Devgan is decent and has worked hard. He dances very beautifully. Rasha Thadani has an arresting screen presence and has a promising career ahead. Sadly, she has limited screen time. Ajay Devgn is dependable as always in a supporting role. Diana Penty is horribly wasted. Piyush Mishra and Mohit Malik are okay as the antagonists. Sandeep Shikhar (Braj) and others are okay. All in all, Azaad doesn't impress.
My rating - ** out of 5!
My rating - ** out of 5!
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 865
10:34 AM
WILL CINEMA LOVERS DAY OFFER BENEFIT AZAAD, EMERGENCY AND HOLDOVER RELEASES?
Due to the dry period at the box office, the theatres have decided to once again have a Cinema Lovers Day on Friday, January 17. Usually, on this day, all cinemas sell tickets for Rs. 99. But this time, PVR Inox, Maxus and Miraj have priced tickets at Rs. 112 while MovieMax and MovieTime will sell tickets for Rs. 99. Nevertheless, Rs. 112 is also dirt cheap, considering the insane ticket prices nowadays and hence, the move will benefit.
The biggest beneficiary of this offer is usually the new releases. The Hindi films that will be released tomorrow are Emergency and Azaad. Emergency stars Kangana Ranaut and also features her as a director. She plays the role of the ex-Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi. The film was all set to be released on September 6, 2024. But during the promotions of the film in August last year, Kangana made certain comments that led to controversy. The film was then minutely viewed by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and they raised objections to certain scenes. The matter even reached the Court after which the film was cleared but with a few deletions.
The Court case ended around October but the makers decided to release in January as probably there were no other release dates. The film’s awareness levels are high but the excitement levels are not. As a result, the film’s opening will be minimal. The Cinema Lovers Day will hopefully benefit Emergency and it’ll open around Rs. 3-4 crores.
Azaad, meanwhile, marks the debut of Ajay Devgn’s nephew Aaman Devgan and Raveena Tandon’s daughter Rasha Thadani. It is directed by Abhishek Kapoor of Rock On and Kedarnath fame. Ajay Devgn also stars in the film in a dynamic role. The trailer and songs have failed to make a mark although the debutants have gone all out to promote the film. It is expected to open at Rs. 1-2 crores.
Last week’s releases, Game Changer and Fateh, have failed. Game Changer’s first week collections will be around Rs. 27 crores while that of Fateh would be Rs. 8 crores approx. They will get little benefit from the offer, especially Fateh since its tickets were priced at Rs. 99 and it also gave the audience the offer of Buy One Ticket Get One Free. A Gujarati film, Mom Tane Nai Samjay, was released last week and it’s doing huge business. Its shows have been increased and it’ll hugely benefit from this offer, compared to Game Changer and Fateh.
On the other hand, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, which continues to be strong, will get considerable footfalls tomorrow. Right now, its ticket prices are around Rs. 149. With ticket rates slashed to Rs. 99 and Rs. 112, there’ll be even more motivation for the audience to turn up. Another re-release this Friday is Satya. The cheaper tickets might help the film emerge as a surprise success.
Two Hollywood films will also be released on January 17 - A Real Pain and Wolf Man. The awareness is limited and if other shows are full on Friday, the audience might buy its tickets.
Lastly, Pushpa 2 - The Rule will be released with an additional 20 minutes. It has done most of its business and it remains to be seen if people turn up to watch the extended cut.
Due to the dry period at the box office, the theatres have decided to once again have a Cinema Lovers Day on Friday, January 17. Usually, on this day, all cinemas sell tickets for Rs. 99. But this time, PVR Inox, Maxus and Miraj have priced tickets at Rs. 112 while MovieMax and MovieTime will sell tickets for Rs. 99. Nevertheless, Rs. 112 is also dirt cheap, considering the insane ticket prices nowadays and hence, the move will benefit.
The biggest beneficiary of this offer is usually the new releases. The Hindi films that will be released tomorrow are Emergency and Azaad. Emergency stars Kangana Ranaut and also features her as a director. She plays the role of the ex-Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi. The film was all set to be released on September 6, 2024. But during the promotions of the film in August last year, Kangana made certain comments that led to controversy. The film was then minutely viewed by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and they raised objections to certain scenes. The matter even reached the Court after which the film was cleared but with a few deletions.
The Court case ended around October but the makers decided to release in January as probably there were no other release dates. The film’s awareness levels are high but the excitement levels are not. As a result, the film’s opening will be minimal. The Cinema Lovers Day will hopefully benefit Emergency and it’ll open around Rs. 3-4 crores.
Azaad, meanwhile, marks the debut of Ajay Devgn’s nephew Aaman Devgan and Raveena Tandon’s daughter Rasha Thadani. It is directed by Abhishek Kapoor of Rock On and Kedarnath fame. Ajay Devgn also stars in the film in a dynamic role. The trailer and songs have failed to make a mark although the debutants have gone all out to promote the film. It is expected to open at Rs. 1-2 crores.
Last week’s releases, Game Changer and Fateh, have failed. Game Changer’s first week collections will be around Rs. 27 crores while that of Fateh would be Rs. 8 crores approx. They will get little benefit from the offer, especially Fateh since its tickets were priced at Rs. 99 and it also gave the audience the offer of Buy One Ticket Get One Free. A Gujarati film, Mom Tane Nai Samjay, was released last week and it’s doing huge business. Its shows have been increased and it’ll hugely benefit from this offer, compared to Game Changer and Fateh.
On the other hand, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, which continues to be strong, will get considerable footfalls tomorrow. Right now, its ticket prices are around Rs. 149. With ticket rates slashed to Rs. 99 and Rs. 112, there’ll be even more motivation for the audience to turn up. Another re-release this Friday is Satya. The cheaper tickets might help the film emerge as a surprise success.
Two Hollywood films will also be released on January 17 - A Real Pain and Wolf Man. The awareness is limited and if other shows are full on Friday, the audience might buy its tickets.
Lastly, Pushpa 2 - The Rule will be released with an additional 20 minutes. It has done most of its business and it remains to be seen if people turn up to watch the extended cut.
Dilip Kumar will remain the greatest actor ever of Hindi cinema
8:49 AM
Box Office India Trade Network
One of the greatest legends of Indian cinema, Dilip Kumar, passed away at the age of 98 due to a prolonged illness. Dilip Kumar started his career in just before Independence in 1944 with JWAR BHATA and had a defining career of around 55 years and a film count of only 56 films.
His first film JWAR BHATA released in 1944 and success was not too far away as films like JUGNU (1947) and SHAHEED (1948) scored at the box office after which there was no looking back. Although these things are always arguable, the fact is that Dilip Kumar is the greatest actor that the Indian screen has ever seen. The biggest actors who have come after have imbibed from him and even the actors today who may not even be aware that they are being inspired by Dilip Kumar but who they think they looking up to was in all probability inspired by Dilip Kumar. Basically acting in India all started from this man.
There was a phase in the late 40's and early 50's that his films were working only because the audience was coming to see his acting. These slow films which we can call towards the dark side were working just because of the histrionics of Dilip Kumar as no one before had seen such acting. The masses were lining up in cinemas across India to see films which may not be offering huge entertainment but they did not care as all they wanted to see was the histrionics of Dilip Kumar. This was the period where Dilip Kumar got the tragedy king tag. This has never happened with any other actor as they had to be backed by a genre or more commercial elements to pull through and this holds till today.
These films were becoming HITS due to the histrionics and then there were the BLOCKBUSTER films like AAN, AZAAD, INSANIYAT, NAYA DAUR, MADHUMATI, PAIGHAM and KOHINOOR which were more in the commercial element of those times and smashed box office records. These films created Dilip Kumar the Superstar The likes of AAN, AZAAD and INSANIYAT also set the precedent for that big budget Hindi commercial potboiler which was to dominate Hindi cinema for years and still does.
The peak of the career came in the early 60's with films like MUGHAL-E-AZAM (1960) and GUNGA JUMNA (1961) which created history and remain today among the biggest BLOCKBUSTERS of Hindi cinema. The performance in GUNGA JUMNA is also probably the greatest ever by an actor in India. The workload slowed after that though the big HITS still came with RAM AUR SHYAM (1967) and GOPI (1970) but it was difficult now to fit into that traditional hero format due to age.
Dilip Kumar took a break for a few years and then did something that no actor ever managed to do before or after as he returned as more of a character actor. But this character actor was the main lead of these films and drove those films to huge success. Films like KRANTI (1981), VIDHAATA (1982), KARMA (1986) and SAUDAGAR (1990) all were were BLOCKBUSTER films and all driven by Dilip Kumar despite playing older characters. There were others like DHARAM ADHIKARI and KANOON APNA APNA which also saw average success. This was the part of his illustrious career which sets him apart from all other actors as no one else has managed to get such success as a character artist. It has to be said that you have to be a Dilip Kumar to get such roles without being the hero and there has only been one Dilip Kumar.
Simply put Dilip Kumar will remain the greatest actor ever of Hindi cinema unless we see some miracle over the next 100 years.
My biggest fear is losing my freedom-Chandan Roy Sanyal
2:10 PM
Chandan Roy Sanyal speaks about appreciating the freedom we take for granted in his short
Aastha Atray Banan (MID-DAY; August 14, 2016)
"I think the youth today take freedom for granted. How did we get here? How can we do what we can do? My biggest fear is what will happen if I lose my freedom today. There is a story behind it, people behind it — the fact that we are eating good food and breathing this air. What would you do if you were thrown in jail, with only half a roti and half a glass of water? Then you will realise what freedom really means. The youth need to see that. It’s also about thinking of giving back to society for what it gave you,” says actor and now writer/director Chandan Roy Sanyal, 36, who released his 22-minute-long short, Azaad, on SonyLIV.com to celebrate Independence Day.
Azaad starts with a homecoming of the eponymous 40-year-old character who returns to his hometown in Rajasthan with his wife. He returns for the death anniversary of his grandfather, who was a freedom fighter. The tale oscillates between the present and 1942, the time of his grandfather and his three friends, and their struggle for freedom. “I was watching the Republic Day parade in January. And, I felt like I was watching it in 1987. That parade has not changed at all, despite advance in technology. I wanted to make something related to the freedom struggle that was more contemporary, and that was Azaad’s genesis,” says Sanyal, who also essays the role of the protagonist.
The short, which took all of three days to make, and which also stars Adli Hussain, Abhay Mishra and Sudeep Modak, is engaging and intense and as Sanyal himself admits a mix of ‘Rang De Basanti and Swades’. Sanyal has been seen in movies such as Kaminey and Prague and is a well known Bengali actor. “This character Azaad has been brought up on a diet of freedom struggle stories. And, on his way back home, he gets a surprise visit from the past, and how that changes his life and his perception of the word azaadi is what this movie’s crux is,” he says.
Sanyal also turned writer for the movie, something he hadn’t done before. As research, he did what any true blue cinema fan would do — he watched movies on the freedom struggle. “I watched Shaheed and Chetan Anand’s Haqueeqat. I wanted to make a movie that was on the popular level. Music also plays a big part in the film.” A bit disgruntled at what it takes to make a full-fledged movie —“the money and all”, Sanyal is now a fan of the short film. In the past 14 months, he has made three of them, Hiroshima and 33MM being the other two. “33 MM got me a lot of praise, and I plan to put it online soon. It's about a director's journey back to reality from oblivion.”
For now, along with waiting to see what audiences think of Azaad, he is waiting for his next film, Island City, to release on November 1, where he stars with actress Tanishtha Mukherjee, and which premiered at the Venice Film Festival last year.
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