When everyone was watching a popular film that critics are calling "propaganda," I watched a different "propaganda" film—the perks being it's a comedy starring my tragedy legends.
I haven't watched Meena Kumari in such a jolly, fluttering role before, and it is a shame that she didn't do more such rom-coms with the heartthrob Dilip Kumar. Both matched each other so well, and their chemistry made me blush multiple times.
Now, fangirling apart, here's why Azaad is a "propaganda" film and one that I would rather buy:
👰 The film opens with a sequence where Meena Kumari's character and her 'parents' (they are family friends who are raising her because her family died) discuss marriage. Dearest Meena declares that she shall choose her groom herself (in 1955 India).
In another sequence, a lady was sharing her sob story where the villain (Pran) brought her to the city with a false promise of marriage. Meena hears this and asks, "How can a sensible woman like yours fall for such tricks?"
This single line provides the woman autonomy (in 1955) instead of following her parents' will and accepting whatever happens as fate. And also reminds audiences to be wary of false promises from "reputable" men. (You go, girl!) Btw, she does not blame the lady ahead and is genuinely concerned.
🚔 The police are repeatedly shown lacking basic skills with a tongue-in-cheek/satirical tone. This allows for several instances where they remind people that class and titles matter far less than they assume. In a sequence they say it clearly, "Don't assume someone belonging to a reputable family can't do bad." (Preach!)
🙏 Dilip Kumar plays the dashing Robin Hood character, Azaad (a common name that families loved in post-independence India regardless of religion), but he also goes around town as the reputable Khan Sahab and eventually reveals his identity as Kumar. This was what the secular India aspired to, where a hero is a hero regardless of his religion.
But all of this "propaganda" apart, the film had hilariously fake-looking sets, surprisingly well-choreographed action sequences, and some whimsy, song, and dance. It's easily a comfort film for sad days.
