starbyte team
«Azaad,» directed by Abhishek Kapoor and starring debutantes Aaman Devgan and Rasha Thadani alongside Bollywood heavyweight Ajay Devgn, was released on January 17, 2025. With its compelling theme set during the British Raj, the film aimed to attract audiences with a story of courage, relationships, and freedom. Despite the anticipation and extensive promotions, the film’s box office journey has been disappointing.
Here’s a detailed look at the film’s box office performance, critical reception, and verdict.
Azaad Box Office Collection Day 6 worldwide
| Day | Date | India Net Collection |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | January 17, 2025 | ₹1.5 crore |
| 2 | January 18, 2025 | ₹1.3 crore |
| 3 | January 19, 2025 | ₹1.75 crore |
| 4 | January 20, 2025 | ₹0.65 crore |
| 5 | January 21, 2025 | ₹0.64 crore |
| 6 | January 22, 2025 | ₹0.58 crore |
| Total | — | ₹6.42 crore |
The opening day collection of ₹1.5 crore reflected moderate audience interest, but the numbers dipped on the second day to ₹1.3 crore. The third day showed a small uptick to ₹1.75 crore, likely due to weekend crowds. However, the momentum did not sustain during weekdays, with the film recording ₹0.65 crore on Day 4 and continuing to drop until Day 6, earning just ₹0.58 crore.
Worldwide Collections and Comparison
As of Day 6, the worldwide gross collection for «Azaad» stands at approximately ₹8 crore. The film’s performance overseas has been negligible, contributing little to its overall earnings.
Given its reported production budget of ₹80 crore, the movie is far from breaking even. For a film to be declared a hit, it typically needs to recover at least 1.5 times its budget through worldwide collections, which would mean grossing around ₹120 crore. «Azaad» has managed only a fraction of this target, making its financial failure evident.
Azaad Movie Hit or Flop: ₹80 Crore Budget
The crucial question on everyone’s mind is whether «Azaad» is a hit or a flop. With a production cost of ₹80 crore, the film required stellar box office performance to turn profitable. Unfortunately, the film’s collections have been far below expectations. With ₹6.42 crore in India net collections and ₹8 crore gross worldwide by Day 6, it is clear that the movie has been unable to connect with audiences, either domestically or internationally.
Trade analysts have already classified «Azaad» as a flop. Even the presence of Ajay Devgn, known for his strong box office pull, could not save the film from tanking. While debutantes Aaman Devgan and Rasha Thadani showed promise, the weak script and poor word-of-mouth publicity further dampened its prospects.
Critical Reception
Critics have not been kind to «Azaad,» pointing out several factors that contributed to its lackluster performance:
Weak Storyline: The film’s premise—set against the backdrop of the British Raj—seemed promising but ultimately failed to strike a chord. Critics found the narrative predictable and uninspired, with little to distinguish it from similar period dramas.
Direction: Abhishek Kapoor, known for hits like «Kai Po Che» and «Kedarnath,» has delivered one of his weakest works with «Azaad.» Critics noted a lack of emotional depth in the storytelling and an absence of impactful moments that could have elevated the film.
Performances: While Ajay Devgn delivered a solid performance as always, the debutantes struggled to leave a lasting impression. Aaman Devgan and Rasha Thadani were praised for their earnest efforts but were let down by underwritten characters.
Music and Visuals:
The music, composed by a team of renowned artists, failed to leave a mark, and the visual effects were criticized for being subpar despite the high production budget.
Audience Reaction and Competition
One of the reasons for «Azaad’s» failure is its inability to engage its target audience. The emotional bond between the protagonist and his horse, which was a key plot element, did not resonate with viewers as expected. Additionally, the period drama genre has become increasingly saturated, and «Azaad» lacked the novelty needed to stand out.
The film also faced stiff competition from other releases, both domestic and international. The success of Shah Rukh Khan’s «Dunki,» which continues to dominate the box office even weeks after its release, has overshadowed «Azaad.» Other mid-budget films offering fresh content have further divided audience attention.
Comparative Analysis with Abhishek Kapoor’s Previous Films
Abhishek Kapoor’s track record as a director has been commendable, with hits like «Rock On!!,» «Kai Po Che,» and «Kedarnath.» However, «Azaad» has emerged as his lowest-performing film to date. Here’s a comparison:
- «Kai Po Che» (2013): Opened with ₹4.5 crore and was a sleeper hit.
- «Kedarnath» (2018): Opened with ₹6.8 crore and grossed over ₹100 crore.
- «Azaad» (2025): Opened with ₹1.5 crore, struggling to reach even ₹10 crore in lifetime collections.
This stark contrast highlights the importance of compelling content and audience engagement, which «Azaad» failed to deliver.
Lessons for Bollywood
The underperformance of «Azaad» offers several lessons for Bollywood filmmakers:
Content is King: Star power and high production budgets cannot compensate for a weak script. Modern audiences prioritize engaging and relatable content over grand visuals and big names.
Strategic Release Dates: Releasing alongside or shortly after a blockbuster like «Dunki» was a risky move. Avoiding such clashes can give films a better chance at box office success.
Marketing and Positioning: While «Azaad» had an extensive promotional campaign, it failed to generate the buzz necessary to draw crowds to theaters. Filmmakers must better understand their target demographics and craft campaigns that resonate with them.
Conclusion
«Azaad» serves as a cautionary tale for the film industry, showcasing that a big-budget production and star-studded cast do not guarantee success. Despite the promise of a grand spectacle and heartfelt drama, the film’s failure to deliver on its core premise resulted in its downfall. With a meager ₹6.42 crore in India net collections and ₹8 crore worldwide by Day 6, «Azaad» has been declared a flop.
For Abhishek Kapoor and the debutantes, this marks a disappointing chapter, but it also provides an opportunity to learn and grow. The Bollywood landscape is evolving, and only those who adapt to audience preferences will succeed in the long run.
