Azadi-The Fight Was Never Over: A Bold Reflection on Humanity and Understanding – Critique Review

Azadi is a short film written and directed by Junaid Imam Shaikh, which follows Kishan Lal, a simple factory worker from Banaras, who is transferred to Malegaon, Maharashtra, to start a new and better life. However, he soon finds himself conflicted upon discovering that his new neighborhood is predominantly Muslim. From here on, Kishal will fall into a spiral of doubts, concerns, and even paranoia (often encouraged by Vishal, a factory worker) about his new neighbors, until it all ends in a shocking conclusion that reveals the true nature of this new community and Kishal’s own feelings.
There is a lot to say about this film, but perhaps what stands out the most is the story and the themes that it explores. In a world where the slightest difference is enough to make people dislike, distrust, or even hate each other, it’s very easy to be alarmed when we find ourselves surrounded by a culture we don’t understand, especially if said culture has been presented to us as “dangerous” or “evil”. Such is the case of Islam. Through endless forms of media, from movies to news, we have been taught that Islam is a dangerous religion. We are told that they are extremists, terrorists, and that we should fear them, and so when we come across a person of such religion, there’s something about it that makes us nervous. Yet, little do we realize that all of these fears are just in our minds, and that they are a product of prejudice – a prejudice called “Islamophobia”. It happens in India and in several other parts of the world, especially among those less educated or who have fallen into the trap of propaganda, and, much like it happens in the film, this has caused us to take radical notions such as banning them or having them under constant watch without ever considering if what we are doing is right. And it isn’t. Many times, the “monster” we see in our minds is just that. A thought. Something caused by the way we were educated or bad influences, as it happens in the film.
So, this film shines when it gets to talk about how a non-Muslim person can go absolutely paranoid about being surrounded by Muslim people just because he has been forced to think that way. Kishan has constant nightmares and intrusive thoughts that, eventually, led him to make a radical decision to act against his new neighbors, fearing they might be plotting something evil when, in reality, it is quite the opposite. They are aware of what people think of them (and the very complex story between Muslims and Hindus), but rather than trying to keep the fight alive, they chose to create a protest for peace. They ask people to put aside their differences and work together for a better world (at this point, the film even transcends its own genre and subject and gets to cover several other crises happening around the globe), and so, Kishal gets to understand his mistake. His neighbors are not the problem. He is. And when he realizes this, he is freed from the weight of prejudice and gets to embrace the people around him, admitting his wrongdoing and effectively helping to create a better society.
Thus, this is a beautiful film that illustrates the importance of empathy and having a mind of our own, rejecting all those ideas that only create separation and intolerance, whether it be because of religious, cultural, economic, or any other reason, leaving us with a smile on our faces and a positive message to think on.
We want to congratulate filmmaker Junaid Imam Shaikh for creating such a poignant piece, and for making it so relatable by combining drama, comedy, and social comment all at once. Excellent work!

Director’s Biography: Junaid Imam Shaikh

I am Junaid Imam, a creative writer and director from Pune, India. My journey in the realm of storytelling commenced in 2006. Over the past 17 years, I have developed narratives as a writer and director for various television series. Gradually, my passion led me to craft independent short films and documentaries for festivals, marking a new phase in my creative journey. My work has garnered recognition and awards at esteemed international film festivals in locations such as Barcelona (Spain), Albania (Europe), the USA, and West Africa.I am honoured to have served as an official jury member at the American Youth Film Festival 2019, and previously, at the Berlin Cinefest Film Festival in Germany. Here is an insight into my prolific filmography:”Mano Ya Na Mano” – Television show for Star One channel (Director) – 2006″Rise and Rise of Shah Rukh Khan” – Television show for Zoom channel (Writer & Director) – 2007″Monuments of India” – Television show for ICC HD channel (Writer & Director) – 2017Berlin International Cinefest Film Festival – Official Jury Member – 2016″Bollywood Biographies” – Produced for FG Production House (Writer)”Melawa – The Festival of Marriages” – Short film, recipient of 32 national and international awards (Writer, Director & Producer) – 2013″Ekulta Ek Raja – The Only King”, a short film, earned 4 awards in national and international festivals (Writer, Director & Producer)
“Fagwa – The Colour of Soul” – Documentary recognised at Amravati University for its contribution to environmental development – 2018
My artistic journey has been defined by dedication, exploration, and a relentless pursuit of storytelling excellence. Through my work, I strive to touch hearts, ignite minds, and bridge cultures, making a lasting impact in cinema.