{{short description|2011 Hindi-language action spy film}} {{Use Indian English|date=December 2025}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2025}} {{Infobox film | name = Azaan | image = azaan movie poster.jpg | alt = <!-- see WP:ALT --> | caption = Movie poster | director = Prashant Chadha | producer = M. R. Shahjahan<br/>Shaju Ignatius<br/> Sunaman Sood | writer = Prashant Chadha<br/>Shubra Swarup<br/>Heeraz Marfatia | screenplay = Shubra Swarup | starring = Sachiin J. Joshi <br/>Candice Boucher | music = Salim–Sulaiman | cinematography = Axel Fischer BVK | editing = Amitabh Shukla<br/> Humphrey Dixon | studio = JMJ Entertainment PVT LTD<br/>Alchemia Films | distributor = | released = {{Film date|df=yes|2011|10|14}} | runtime = | country = India | language = Hindi | budget = {{INRConvert|330|m}}<ref name="BOI">{{cite web |title=Aazaan |url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=846 |website=Box Office India |access-date=23 December 2025}}</ref>{{efn|Note: figure contains print and advertising costs}} | gross = {{INRConvert|23-26|m}}<ref name="BOI"/><ref>{{cite web |last1=Hungama |first1=Bollywood |title=Aazaan Box Office Collection |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/aazaan/box-office/ |work=Bollywood Hungama |date=14 October 2011 |access-date=23 December 2025}}</ref> }} '''''Aazaan''''' is a 2011 Indian Hindi-language action thriller film directed by Prashant Chadha, starring Sachiin J. Joshi and South African model Candice Boucher. ''Aazaan'' marks the debut of entrepreneur-turned-actor Joshi of Energy Drinks and the first (and only) film of Boucher, who was seen in the title role.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.filmics.com/hindi/Bollywood-Movie-News/candice-boucher-south-african-model-debuts-through-aazaan-in-bollywood.html |title=Candice Boucher, South African model debuts through Aazaan in Bollywood – Bollywood Movie News |publisher=filmics |date=27 August 2011 |access-date=21 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120219201438/http://www.filmics.com/hindi/Bollywood-Movie-News/candice-boucher-south-african-model-debuts-through-aazaan-in-bollywood.html |archive-date=19 February 2012}}</ref>
==Plot== The film begins with a suicide bombing attack in Germany at a peace conference where the Indian Home Minister is affected by an unknown virus. In RAW headquarters, Menon joins the investigation. RAW HQ is threatened by a threat who calls himself Doctor. In HQ, army officer Aazaan Khan is interrogated about the case because of his brother's involvement as a terrorist in the suicide bombings.
Aazaan is deployed in Waziristan to infiltrate the enemy force and to find the whereabouts of his brother. He travels from country to country to find the culprits and even becomes one of them to gain their confidence. Aazaan comes across two Pakistanis from whom he soon finds the whereabouts of the kingpin, the Doctor. The Doctor has taken hold of Mahfouz and has seized the cure for the virus from him, so now he has both the weapon and its antidote. He knows that Aazaan is with the cops, and both are led to be killed in the market square. Aazaan breaks free and tries to rescue the scientist, but it's too late. Before being detonated by a strapped bomb, he tells Aazaan to find a sand artist in Morocco and a girl with her, as they have the cure for the virus.
Aazaan escapes and runs to Morocco, where he finds the sand artist Aafreen, who is taking care of an orphaned girl. Aafreen knows about Aazaan and his missing brother Aman. Soon both fall in love. But the terrorists follow Aazaan in Morocco too, and the three of them decide to escape to India at the earliest so that the child's blood can be used to make a cure for the virus in India.
As they are waiting for Sam Sharma to turn up in the chopper, Aazaan, Aafreen, and the girl face a rude shock when Sam pulls out a gun and shoots Aafreen. The child is forcefully taken away, and Aazaan is captured and led away. Sam was a traitor working on the side of the doctor. Aazaan sacrifices his life to save the girl and throws her off with a parachute. Aazaan dies and saves the world from the virus as the government now gets the antidote.
==Cast== *Sachiin J. Joshi as Aazaan Khan:<ref>[http://www.aazaan.com/sachin.swf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120424063102/http://www.aazaan.com/sachin.swf|date=24 April 2012}} (.swf file)</ref> half Afghan and half Indian, he gets drawn into an espionage to find his younger brother a suspected terrorist. He is a young army officer and working for RAW (India's Research and Analysis Wing). Sachiin trained in Krav maga and Kalaripayatu for his role.<ref name="Sachiin prepares">{{cite web |url=http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/ENT-sachiin-of-aazaan-drives-for-perfection-1887840.html?PRV= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524072510/http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/ENT-sachiin-of-aazaan-drives-for-perfection-1887840.html?PRV= |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 May 2011 |title=Sachiin of 'Aazaan' drives for perfection |access-date=25 September 2011}}</ref> *Dalip Tahil as Mahfouz: He is a savant on a mission and is trying to save the world from being destroyed by Doctor. *Candice Boucher as Afreen: She is a sand artist, and she grounds Aazaan with love. Prashant had known Candice for four years and found her perfect for the role of a Moroccan girl. Acclaimed sand artist Alexandra Konofalskaya from Belarus was hired to train her for her role in the film.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://fenilandbollywood.com/tag/azaan/ |title=Playboy covergirl plays sand-artist in Aazaan |access-date=25 September 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111201084729/http://fenilandbollywood.com/tag/azaan/ | archive-date=1 December 2011 | url-status=dead}}</ref> *Aarya Babbar as Imaad: He is a misled, passionate man. *Alyy Khan as Sam Sharma *Ravi Kissen as Pandey: A controversial RAW officer. *Sachin Khedekar as Home Minister *Sajid Hassan as Doctor: He is ex-CIA and into biological warfare and is determined to carry out the absolute annihilation of India. * Samy Gharbi as Malak: He is tough from the inside out and loyal to Doctor. *Vijayendra Ghatge as Home Minister *Sarita Choudhury as Menon *Amber Rose Revah as Sofiya: Prashant saw her role in ''From Paris With Love'' and sent her the script of ''Aazaan''. Being part Polish, he found her perfect for the role, although she had never worked in any Polish films.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/ENT-hwood-star-amber-rose-revah-for-aazaan-1867925.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120916054933/http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/ENT-hwood-star-amber-rose-revah-for-aazaan-1867925.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 September 2012 |title=H'wood star Amber Rose Revah for 'Aazaan' |publisher=Daily Bhaskar |access-date=25 September 2011}}</ref> *Neet Mohan as Aman Khan *Prashant Prabhakar as The Indian man (Raw Agent)
==Production==
===Pre-production=== Cinematographer Axel Fischer BVK was called for the cinematography of the film due to his experience in the field for action-thrillers. Former ''Playboy'' cover-girl Candice Boucher was signed as the lead actress opposite Sachiin J Joshi, who would be playing a sand artist in the film.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/award/filmfare-award/2011-2/ |title=Playboy covergirl Candice Boucher plays sand-artist in Aazaan |website=Bollywood Hungama |date=23 February 2011 |access-date=14 September 2011}}</ref> Amber Rose of ''From Paris With Love'' fame will be starring alongside. Amitabh Shukla and Humphrey Dixon were signed as the editor.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.top10bollywood.com/2011/08/aazaan-movie-story.html |title=Aazaan Movie Story |publisher=Top10bollywood.com |access-date=14 September 2011}}</ref>
The international action company Action Concept was given the work to direct the action stunts since the film involved shooting on multiple foreign locations.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/award/filmfare-award/2011-2/ |title=International action company Action Concept to direct stunts for Aazaan |website=Bollywood Hungama |date=25 February 2011 |access-date=14 September 2011}}</ref>
===Filming=== Filming took place at multiple locations like Morocco, Hong Kong, Algeria, Poland (Kraków), France, Germany and India.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.washingtonbanglaradio.com/content/21984811-azaan-hindi-2011-prashant-chadhas-bollywood-action-film |title=AAZAAN (Hindi, 2011), Prashant Chadha's Bollywood Action Film |work=Washington Bangla Radio |date=2 June 2011 |access-date=14 September 2011 |archive-date=26 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926003403/http://www.washingtonbanglaradio.com/content/21984811-azaan-hindi-2011-prashant-chadhas-bollywood-action-film |url-status=usurped }}</ref> The climax was shot in Chechnya, Russia. ''Azaan'' is the first film to be shot in Chechnya after it became an ecological disaster zone, with oil and chemical leaking into the ground and radioactive material left lying about.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.glamsham.com/movies/scoops/11/mar/23-azaan-climax-to-be-shot-in-chechnya-russia-031113.asp |title=AZAAN climax to be shot in Chechnya, Russia – Bollywood news |publisher=glamsham.com |date=23 March 2011 |access-date=14 September 2011}}</ref>
The shooting was scheduled in these countries for 70 days which included many local cast to add the genuine look to ''Aazaan''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/around-six-countries-in-70-days-for-spy-thriller-azaan-news-bollywood-lczlOeaigii.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022160457/http://www.sify.com/movies/around-six-countries-in-70-days-for-spy-thriller-azaan-news-bollywood-lczlOeaigii.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 October 2012 |title=Around six countries in 70 days – for spy thriller Azaan |publisher=boxofficeindia.co.in |access-date=17 September 2011}}</ref> During the shoot for a torture scene in Marrakech, Morocco, Sachiin went bare-bodied for hours at a stretch at a temperature of 0 to −4 Celsius impressing the production crew.<ref name="Sachiin prepares" /> Alvernia Studios in Poland handled the physical production work including camera, light and music score recording.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.alvernia.com/credits |title=Alvernia Studio on Aazaan |access-date=25 September 2011}}</ref>
Some of the action scenes were shot in Bangkok, including stunts in which Sachiin Joshi jumped from a 55-storey tower. Some climax shots were shot by director Prashant Chadha with the rest of the cast, including Ravi Kissen and Arya Babbar.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/AAzaan-in-Bangkok/articleshow/10218666.cms |title=AAzaan in Bangkok |work=The Times of India |access-date=5 October 2011}}</ref>
===Post-production=== The Digital Intermediate and VFX of ''Aazaan'' was done by Pixion Studios.<ref name="VFX of aazaan">{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.co.in/di-of-azaan-is-underway/ |title=DI of Azaan Is Underway |publisher=boxofficeindia.co.in |access-date=17 September 2011 |date=17 September 2011 |archive-date=2 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002053039/http://www.boxofficeindia.co.in/di-of-azaan-is-underway/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
===Accidents=== * It was reported that Sachiin got injured when filming a scene where he had to lay down with a sniper and got hit next to his eye.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hitlist |first=The |url=http://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/2011/jun/030611-informer-7.htm |title='Aazaan' debutant almost lost his eye during filming |publisher=Mid-day.com |date=3 June 2011 |access-date=14 September 2011}}</ref> * Sachiin fell off a trailer crash scene. The stunt involved Sachiin jumping off a speeding trailer but fell off much before the marking point and hit the footpath. "We all saw him jump off the trailer and hit the road hard, but it all happened so fast that we couldn't do much. Though Sachiin didn't call it a day, after some pain killers, he was back on the sets," said the director about the accident.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hitlist |first=The |url=http://bollywoodtoronto.com/Aazaan.html |title=DEBUTANT SACHIIN JOSHI HURT WHILE SHOOTING ACTION SCENES |publisher=bollywoodtoronto.com |date=3 June 2011 |access-date=25 September 2011 |archive-date=6 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006011058/http://www.bollywoodtoronto.com/Aazaan.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==Release== The first look of ''Aazaan'' was unveiled at Festival de Cannes 2011 and received an overwhelming response.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-18/news-interviews/29555495_1_cannes-candice-boucher-prestigious-film-festivals |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120926145006/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-18/news-interviews/29555495_1_cannes-candice-boucher-prestigious-film-festivals |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 September 2012 |work=The Times of India |title=Cannes welcomes Sachiin Joshi's Aazaan |access-date=21 October 2011}}</ref>
The film was released on 14 October 2011.
==Reception== ''Aazaan'' received mixed response from critics, praising it for its polishing and music although it was a boxoffice disaster. Nikhat Kazmi of ''Times of India'' gave the film a 3 star rating out of five praising its shoot-outs, action sequences and cinematography.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/hindi/Aazaan/movie-review/10339334.cms |title=Aazaan |work=Times of India |access-date=15 October 2011}}</ref> IBNLive called it a movie with no content but high on style, pointing out flaws in the film's script.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/review-aazaan-no-content-but-high-on-style/193073-8-66.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015223523/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/review-aazaan-no-content-but-high-on-style/193073-8-66.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 October 2011 |title=Review: 'Aazaan' |publisher=IBNLive |access-date=15 October 2011}}</ref> Subhash K. Jha of NDTV gave a {{frac|3|1|2}}-star rating out of five, praising its screenplay, and said, "Aazaan is not a film which wastes time in self-congratulation after staging one more terrorist explosion. It moves on relentlessly. The world has to be saved. Self-importance is miraculously averted."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_review.aspx?id=660 |title=Review: Aazaan |publisher=NDTV Movies |access-date=24 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111017175915/http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_Review.aspx?id=660 |archive-date=17 October 2011}}</ref>
Patcy N. of Rediff movies gave the film 1 star out of five calling it a jerky ride and a wasted effort.<ref>{{cite news |last1=N |first1=Patcy |title=Review: Aazaan is a wasted effort |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/review/review-aazaan-is-a-wasted-effort/20111014.htm |access-date=18 May 2022 |work=Rediff |date=14 October 2011 |language=en}}</ref> Komal Nahta, a well-known critic, also gave a single star criticising its confusing screenplay, the performance of the new hero and the unconvincing climax.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.koimoi.com/reviews/aazaan-review/ |title=Aazaan review, Komal Nahata |access-date=15 October 2011 |work=Koimoi |date=14 October 2011}}</ref> Movie Talkies gave the film 1.5 stars calling it 'Aazaan, A Recipe For Disaster'.<ref>{{cite web |title='Aazaan', A Recipe For Disaster |url=https://www.movietalkies.com/movies-reviews/aazaan-a-recipe-for-disaster/ |access-date=18 May 2022 |work=Movie Talkies |date=15 October 2011 |language=English}}</ref>
==Music== {{Infobox album | name = Aazaan | type = Soundtrack | artist = Salim–Sulaiman | cover = | alt = | released = 13 September 2011 | recorded = | venue = | studio = | genre = Film soundtrack | length = | label = Xtreme Music | producer = | prev_title = Love Breakups Zindagi | prev_year = 2011 | next_title = Shakal Pe Mat Ja | next_year = 2011 }}
The music for ''Aazaan'' is given by the duo of Salim–Sulaiman, is under the Xtreme Music label,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/audiolisting/14283/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110212185229/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/audiolisting/14283/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 February 2011 |title=Aazaan : Soundtrack listing and details |website=Bollywood Hungama |access-date=14 September 2011}}</ref> and was launched by Sanjay Dutt.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.filmicafe.com/photo_event_images.php?cat_id=1&subcat_id=2&event_id=8525&sort=view |title=Sanjay Dutt Launches Aazaan Film Music |publisher=Filmicafe.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326030124/http://www.filmicafe.com/photo_event_images.php?cat_id=1&subcat_id=2&event_id=8525&sort=view |archive-date=26 March 2012 |access-date=18 May 2022}}</ref> On IIFA Rocks the duo of Salim-Sulaiman showcased the first exclusive preview of ''Aazaan'' music performing live with host of dancers from the Shiamak Davar Institute of Performing Arts. Three songs – 'Afreen', 'Bismillah' and 'Khuda Ke Liye' – were performed.<ref name="live music of aazaan">{{cite web |url=http://www.bollywoodtrade.com/trade-news/shahrukh-introduces-sachiin-joshis-aazaan-at-iifa/0492f828-9aa3-45d3-9064-d4721a610686/index.htm |title=Shahrukh introduces Sachiin Joshi's AAZAAN at IIFA |publisher=Bollywood Trade Editorial |access-date=17 September 2011 |archive-date=7 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707113240/http://www.bollywoodtrade.com/trade-news/shahrukh-introduces-sachiin-joshis-aazaan-at-iifa/0492F828-9AA3-45D3-9064-D4721A610686/index.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
===Audio listing=== {{track listing | extra_column = Singer(s) | note1 = Theme | title1 = Aazaan | length1 = 2:18 | title2 = Afreen | extra2 = Salim Merchant | length2 = 4:12 | lyrics2 = Amitabh Bhattacharya | note3 = Desert Mix by Abhijit Vaghani | title3 = Afreen | extra3 = Salim Merchant | length3 = 3:47 | lyrics3 = Amitabh Bhattacharya | note4 = Remix by DJ Suketu feat PaVaN | title4 = Afreen | extra4 = Salim Merchant | length4 = 4:21 | lyrics4 = Amitabh Bhattacharya | note5 = Reprise | title5 = Afreen | extra5 = Rahat Fateh Ali Khan | length5 = 4:46 | lyrics5 = Amitabh Bhattacharya | title6 = Bismillah | extra6 = Kailash Kher | length6 = 3:57 | lyrics6 = Irfan Siddique | title7 = Habibi Habibi | extra7 = Benny Dayal, Mitika | length7 = 4:51 | lyrics7 = Shrraddha Pandit | title8 = Khuda Ke Liye | extra8 = Salim Merchant, Shrraddha Pandit | length8 = 4:49 | lyrics8 = Amitabh Bhattacharya | note9 = Remix by Abhijit Vaghani | title9 = Khuda Ke Liye | extra9 = Salim Merchant, Shrraddha Pandit | length9 = 5:05 | lyrics9 = Amitabh Bhattacharya }}
===Reception=== The music of ''Aazaan'' was received warmly. Bolywoodhungama.com praised the vocals of Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and listed 'Afreen' and 'Khuda Ke Liye' as their best pick from the listing, awarding the album an overall of three stars out of five.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/musicreview/14283/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110212185332/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/musicreview/14283/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 February 2011 |title=Aazaan music review |website=Bollywood Hungama |access-date=24 September 2011}}</ref>
== Accolades == {| class="wikitable" ! Award Ceremony ! Category ! Recipient ! Result ! Ref.(s) |- | 4th Mirchi Music Awards | Upcoming Female Vocalist of The Year | Mitika Kanwar – "Habibi" | {{nom}} |<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.radiomirchi.com/mma2011/hindi/nominees.php |title=Nominations – Mirchi Music Award Hindi 2011 |date=30 January 2013|access-date=24 May 2018|url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130130161203/http://www.radiomirchi.com/mma2011/hindi/nominees.php |archive-date=30 January 2013}}</ref> |}
==Controversy== * A group of people have filed a case against the film that it has the potential of hurting the religious sentiments of a specific community and thus ''Aazaan'' should be banned, demanding a change of title.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/friday-release-aazaan-should-be-fast-paced/192765-8-66.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016013311/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/friday-release-aazaan-should-be-fast-paced/192765-8-66.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 October 2011 |title=Friday Release: Will court case help 'Aazaan'? |publisher=IBNLive |access-date=15 October 2011}}</ref> * Another problem emerged with the Censor Board of China for depicting the country as India's main enemy. As a result, the word China was muted out in the film.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/award/filmfare-award/2011-2/ |title=More issues for Aazaan as Censors snip out China |website=Bollywood Hungama |access-date=15 October 2011}}</ref> * After Tamil film 7 aum arivu and Hollywood film crazies it was the third film in which china was shown as the villain
==Notes== {{notelist}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{Official website|http://www.aazaan.com}} *{{IMDb title|2033947|Aazaan}}
Category:2011 films Category:Indian action thriller films Category:2010s spy thriller films Category:Indian spy thriller films Category:2011 Hindi-language films Category:2011 Indian films Category:Films shot in Poland Category:2011 action thriller films Category:Films about the Research & Analysis Wing Category:Hindi-language action films