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Azaad movie review: Rasha Thadani, Amaan Devgan starrer fails to engage audiences

With high hopes for the music, given Amit Trivedi’s involvement, the soundtrack disappoints overall. Aside from “Uui Amma,” which gained viral attention and elicited mixed responses, the remaining musical aspects fall short, which is disheartening.

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“Azaad,” a film that hit the theatre today, serves as the debut platform for Rasha Thadani, daughter of actor Raveena Tandon and Anil Thadani, alongside Aaman Devgan, the nephew of Ajay Devgn.

The story begins with Govind (Aaman) captivated by the dacoit Vikram Singh’s (Ajay Devgn) majestic black horse, Azaad, who is fiercely loyal to its owner. Amid this, Govind encounters Janaki (Rasha), the daughter of the landlord Rai Bahadur (Piyush Mishra). A parallel storyline features Tej Bahadur (Mohit Malik), Janaki’s brother, and Kesar (Diana Penty). The convergence of their lives unfolds against the backdrop of pre-Independence India.

As the film progresses, “Azaad” feels excessively self-indulgent, particularly in its pacing and musical interludes. It appears that director Abhishek Kapoor, known for offering a compelling debut for Sara Ali Khan in “Kedarnath,” began filming and neglected to expedite the narrative. By the time the movie reaches its conclusion, viewers may feel a sense of time stretching.

The screenplay is credited to Ritesh Shah, Suresh Nair, and Kapoor himself, leading to the question of how three individuals could arrive at this outcome. The editing by Chandan Arora also raises eyebrows—what exactly was refined?

Throughout the film, Azaad, the horse, manages to resonate emotionally with the audience. The sequences showcasing him highlight captivating on-screen performances, and he, unexpectedly, seems to steal the spotlight without uttering a single word. While Kapoor’s direction shines in certain moments involving the horse, these instances are regrettably limited.

Regarding their debut performances, both Rasha and Aaman exhibit raw talent, indicating room for improvement. Rasha, at just 19, displays a commendable screen presence but should focus on enhancing her emotional portrayals. Aaman shows promise in dance and action but could benefit from further honing his acting skills.

Mohit Malik, transitioning from television to film with “Azaad,” aligns well with his role, while Diana Penty’s subplot feels superficial. Ajay Devgn appears to have shot his scenes in a manner reminiscent of his work in SS Rajamouli’s “RRR,” suggesting an overlap in filming schedules.

With high hopes for the music, given Amit Trivedi’s involvement, the soundtrack disappoints overall. Aside from “Uui Amma,” which gained viral attention and elicited mixed responses, the remaining musical aspects fall short, which is disheartening.

In summary, “Azaad” fails to present anything fresh, primarily showcasing two new actors. The film suffers from a slow and loose screenplay, saturated with clichés, and it lacks the vitality one would expect from a story centered around a horse.

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Dhurandhar 2 review: Ranveer Singh dominates Aditya Dhar’s high-octane sequel

Dhurandhar 2 review explores Ranveer Singh’s standout performance in a violent and layered sequel directed by Aditya Dhar.

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Dhurandhar 2 review

The release of Dhurandhar 2 has brought back the kind of theatrical frenzy last witnessed during Pathaan, which marked Shah Rukh Khan’s return to cinemas. This time, the spotlight firmly belongs to Ranveer Singh, who headlines the second instalment of Aditya Dhar’s ambitious action franchise.

The sequel builds on the foundation of the first film, amplifying its scale, violence, and emotional depth. Positioned as a revenge-driven narrative, the story centres on Jaskirat Singh Rangi, whose personal tragedy in 2002 sets the tone for the film’s intense journey.

A revenge story rooted in personal loss

Jaskirat, a young man from Pathankot aspiring to join the Indian Army, is pushed into darkness after his father’s murder and the brutal assault on his sisters. His life takes a drastic turn when he is recruited into a covert operation by Ajay Sanyal, played by R Madhavan, along with his associate Sushant Bansal.

Over time, Jaskirat transforms into Hamza Ali Mazari, a lethal operative tasked with dismantling terror networks across Pakistan. The narrative follows his evolution into a ruthless force, balancing emotional vulnerability with extreme brutality.

Ranveer Singh anchors the film

At the core of Dhurandhar 2 is Ranveer Singh’s performance, which stands out for its range and intensity. Whether portraying emotional turmoil or executing violent missions, the actor commands attention throughout.

One of the film’s standout moments features his character in a restrained yet explosive state, delivering a chilling performance that adds to the film’s dramatic weight.

Expanding the universe with political and historical references

The film blends fiction with real-world references, incorporating elements like the 2008 Mumbai attacks, demonetisation, the Uri attack, and the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute. It also introduces characters inspired by real figures, including terror operatives and political personalities.

A cameo reference to Narendra Modi adds another layer to the narrative, reflecting the film’s attempt to merge cinematic storytelling with contemporary political undertones.

Supporting cast adds depth

The film features strong supporting performances, including Arjun Rampal as Major Iqbal, who emerges as a formidable antagonist. However, the absence of a larger role for Akshaye Khanna is noticeable, despite his brief appearance.

Sanjay Dutt appears in an extended cameo, delivering a commanding screen presence. Meanwhile, Madhavan’s dual-layered portrayal adds narrative complexity.

Other actors like Sara Arjun, Gaurav Gera, and Rakesh Bedi contribute effectively, with their characters receiving more clarity compared to the first film.

Music blends multiple eras

The soundtrack of Dhurandhar 2 stands out for its diversity, featuring recreations and classics across decades. Tracks inspired by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Kishore Kumar, and international artist Khaled add a unique musical layer to the film.

A sequel that answers questions but misses the climax high

While the film provides answers to several unresolved questions from the first part, it does not quite match the crescendo of its predecessor. Still, it succeeds in expanding the narrative universe and maintaining audience engagement.

Overall, Dhurandhar 2 is driven by Ranveer Singh’s commanding performance and its bold storytelling approach, making it a must-watch for fans of the franchise.

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Ustaad Bhagat Singh review: Pawan Kalyan shines in high-action entertainer

Pawan Kalyan’s Ustaad Bhagat Singh opens to strong fan reactions, with praise for action and performance but mixed views on the story.

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Ustaad Bhagat Singh, starring Pawan Kalyan, has hit theatres on the occasion of Ugadi, generating strong buzz among audiences. Early reactions shared on social media platform X suggest that the film is being received as a high-energy, action-packed entertainer, driven largely by the lead actor’s screen presence.

The film follows the journey of a morally upright man, raised by a principled teacher who names him Bhagat Singh, who later grows up to become a fearless police officer. As he takes on a corrupt and powerful politician, the narrative revolves around justice, legacy, and standing up against wrongdoing.

Fans praise action, energy and mass appeal

Audience reactions indicate that the film caters strongly to fans of Pawan Kalyan. Several viewers highlighted sequences such as the introduction, comedy moments, and action scenes—especially the “Lungi Fight”—as standout elements. Many described the film as a “celebration” for fans, particularly during the festive release.

Some viewers also pointed to strong word-of-mouth and packed theatres, noting enthusiastic crowd responses and family audiences turning up in large numbers.

Mixed opinions on story and screenplay

Despite the strong fan response, not all feedback has been entirely positive. A section of viewers felt that while Pawan Kalyan delivers an energetic performance, the film lacks a solid narrative foundation.

Criticism has been directed at the film’s screenplay, particularly in the second half, with some calling it routine and predictable. Others mentioned that while parts of the first half work well, the overall impact is diluted by an inconsistent storyline and underdeveloped characters.

Overall response

Early reactions suggest that Ustaad Bhagat Singh is largely being viewed as a star-driven film, with Pawan Kalyan’s performance emerging as its biggest strength. While it appeals strongly to his fan base with action and mass moments, the film has received mixed feedback for its writing and execution.

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Border 2 box office collection day 12 crosses Rs 286 crore, eyes Rs 300 crore milestone

Border 2 box office collection reaches Rs 286.75 crore after 12 days, putting the Sunny Deol-led film close to the Rs 300 crore milestone.

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Sunny Deol in Border 2

Sunny Deol’s Border 2 continues its impressive run at the domestic box office, edging closer to the Rs 300 crore mark by the end of its second week. The war drama, which hit theatres on January 23, has shown consistent collections since its release.

On its second Tuesday, the film earned an estimated Rs 5.75 crore, taking its total earnings to Rs 286.75 crore after 12 days.

Border 2 box office performance so far

The film matched its Monday earnings on February 3, adding Rs 5.75 crore to its tally. With this, Border 2 has managed to hold firm on weekdays, a sign of sustained audience interest.

The film delivered a robust opening week, collecting Rs 224.25 crore, supported by the extended Republic Day holiday period.

Second weekend boosts collections

The second weekend provided another lift to the film’s box office numbers. Friday saw collections of Rs 10.75 crore, followed by Rs 17.75 crore on Saturday. Sunday emerged as the strongest day of the weekend, contributing Rs 22.5 crore to the total.

Monday, which coincided with Republic Day, turned out to be the film’s highest single-day performer so far, with earnings touching Rs 59 crore.

With its current pace, Border 2 has already surpassed the opening weekend figures of Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar.

Border 2 review

In a review, film critic Saibal Chatterjee noted that Border 2 succeeds in highlighting the courage of soldiers while also touching upon their emotional vulnerabilities. The film explores themes of separation, loss, fear, and hope, presenting moments of heroism amid personal struggles.

About the film

Directed by Anurag Singh, Border 2 features an ensemble cast including Sunny Deol, Diljit Dosanjh, Varun Dhawan, and Ahan Shetty. Set against the backdrop of the 1971 India-Pakistan war, the film is positioned as a spiritual successor to the 1997 classic Border.

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