The trailer launch event of Azaad, which releases on January 17, had an ‘equestrian’ surprise for all—Ajay Devgn heads the cast along with nephew and debutant Aaman Devgan but neither is playing the title role.
It is a horse that plays Azaad, especially bought (and brought) from Punjab and trained by director Abhishek Kapoor, and the horse was actually brought upon stage and posed for the shutterbugs with the film’s team.
Said Ajay, “This film is special for two reasons. Aaman is not like a son, he is a son!” he smiled. “And Rasha is the daughter of one of my co-stars, Raveena (Tandon). These two youngsters are so hardworking! And the director has immense patience in molding them. The other reason this film is special for me is that I have always loved horses, and many years after films in which I rode them, I had a chance to work with these animals again here. It was also amazing how the team was looking so well after these animals when temperatures where we were shooting even went as high as 45 to 50 degrees!”
The youngsters (joined by Mohit Malik, who makes his big-screen debut 20 years after he made his TV debut and appeared on reality shows) raved about Ajay and the director, how the film and the launch was like a surreal dream and how they were all initially nervous working with Ajay. Aaman in particular stated that he was guided by the director to think only about their respective characters when facing his uncle for a shot. Ajay in turn admitted that he pushed Aaman as he knew he could do better.
Abhishek raved about Raasha, calling her a complete natural who could excel and go beyond any limitations she appeared to possess.
The director (who is Jeetendra’s nephew) has worked with several newcomers (Farhan Akhtar as actor in Rock On!!, Prachi Desai on big-screen in the same film, Rajkummar Rao in his breakthrough film, Kai Po Che, which also marked Sushant Singh Rajput’s and Amit Sadh’s first film, both after long TV stints, and Sara Ali Khan in Kedarnath). He stated that for him, all newcomers were like children that he had to look after. So were his characters.
“I try to put life in every character, and do justice to the story. For me, films are not projects but about passion!” he said. About Ajay, he went on, “And this man, Ajay, with whom I worked before in Fitoor (in a cameo) is so wonderful. He’s so secure! It does not matter what his role is—he can do a Bhagat Singh, a Singham or any other role as easily. And he does not waste time when deciding on whether he is doing a film or not! Also my producer, Ronnie Screwvala, is such a wonderful individual from whom I have learnt a lot. He is creative and has a business sense as well.”
Abhishek also praised his wife, co-producer Pragya Kapoor, who mentioned that it was a tough call as Abhishek always thought “bigger” with each film. This particular subject had been incubating mentally for 10 years and she stated that it could not have been made with a better cast than what it features now.
Diana Penty, who is cast opposite Ajay, raved about this role in which she plays a rustic woman. The director confessed that he was blown by her look tests when he cast her in a role against her ‘type’.
When I asked Abhishek how he managed to get such good melodies from a single composer in these days of multiple music makers and poor music, the director stated, “Whenever I meet (composer) Amit Trivedi and (lyricist) Amitabh Bhattacharya, it is as if I am entering a temple. There is so much purity there and we are never bothered about what is trending and what runs in the market. And what comes out is beautiful! Remember Namo namo in Kedarnath?”
(Used with permission)
