A highly talented actress, writer, director, organizer, and great human being, Roopa Iyer’s epoch-making Hindi film Azaad Bharat is hitting worldwide screens on January 2 — the month also dedicated to national pride Subhash Chandra Bose.
Having won many laurels at the state, national, and international levels, director Roopa Iyer’s film Azaad Bharat will release across the country on January 2 in more than 1000 screens, exclusively in Hindi. The pride of Karnataka, Roopa Iyer, presents “Karnataka Mahile on Bharatada Mahile” — the life sketch of Neera Arya told with great conviction and dedication. This is undoubtedly a patriotic film. For Roopa Iyer, not sitting idle and forging ahead with progressive thoughts is the real ‘success’ in life.
The film originally began with the title Neera Arya, which has now been changed to Azaad Bharat. Facing many hurdles in the making, Roopa Iyer invested nearly three years into this project. The film is dedicated to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. It depicts the story of the first women’s army founded by Bose. Bollywood actor Shreyas Talpade portrays Netaji. The film has three female lead roles—Roopa Iyer plays Neera Arya, and Hitha Chandrashekar plays Durga.
A popular actress appears in the role of Saraswathi Rajamani. Suresh Oberoi, Vyjayanath Biradar, Suchendra Prasad, and Zee channel head Subhash Chandra are also part of the cast. Music direction is by Roopa Iyer’s husband, Gautam Srivatsa. Edited by Shri Crazy Minds, the film is produced by Roopa Iyer, Jayagopal, and Rajendra Rajan.
January is celebrated as the birth month of Subhas Chandra Bose, and hence the team is bringing the film to theatres on January 2. Before making this film, Roopa Iyer contacted the family members of Subhas Chandra Bose and gathered extensive information. There are plans to screen the film for dignitaries from various fields, including politicians. It might also be screened at the Parliament House. The film is being released on January 2, 2026, through Zee Studios, said producer, actress, and director Roopa Iyer.
As a severe punishment to Neera Arya by the British, the “breast cutting” incident is portrayed — a truly pitiable act. “We should have earned Independence in 1857 itself, but various developments pushed it to 1947. By incorporating many untold topics, we have made every scene attractive and patriotic,” adds Roopa Iyer.
Roopa Iyer has set out to reveal certain untold incidents from the past on screen. She has worked hard for many years for this, driven by deep patriotism. “Everyone must watch this film,” said senior actor Suchendra Prasad.
Actress Hitha Chandrashekar said she is happy to have acted in such a patriotic film, portraying the role of Durga.
The film has seven songs. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s wife, Amruta Fadnavis, has sung one of them. The rerecording work was done at Yash Raj Studios, said music director Gautam Srivatsa. Gautam Srivatsa, along with his brother Gaurav, worked very hard, but he says the effort put in by his wife Roopa Iyer was far greater. “The efforts, making, and hardships she underwent deserve both state and national awards,” he feels. To ensure technical excellence, the debutant national-level music director says he has used the 11.1 sound effect to meet world standards. “For me, the entire film Azaad Bharat is very touching, and its making was a complete family involvement,” he adds.
Producer Jayagopal, Mohana, and editor Shri Crazy Minds were present at the media briefing.
