Tutorial-level, intricate details of the kind of paper used to make a genuine currency note, the artistry involved in the design, the printing and distribution, and the deadly danger involved in the whole operation of producing counterfeit currency notes is reminiscent of Christina Hendricks and her pals in The Good Girls on Netflix. But the eight-episode Prime Video series Farzi will tell us a few more things that we still didn’t know about producing counterfeit money.
With Shahid Kapoor making his OTT debut and an ensemble cast method actors, the director-duo Raj & DK who previously gave us The Family Man, are back with a refreshing and intensely gripping gangster drama.
Raj & DK, an ingenious and dynamic creative duo in the Indian film industry, are renowned for their innovative and unconventional approach to storytelling. They have crafted some of the most widely regarded and lauded web-series and films of recent times, which often include relatable characters, unanticipated plot twists, and a keenness to subvert traditional paradigms. Their latest series Farzi skillfully captures the desired tonality, crafting a narrative that seamlessly blends realism and creativity. The captivating characters are both compelling and authentic, adding depth and nuance to the story. It seamlessly executes tonal balance and character development to create a truly engaging and memorable viewing experience.
With Pathan meeting Tiger is Siddharth Anand’s spyverse, it can be anticipated that Raj & DK are already planning to create their own spyverse, as the web-series has instances where “Chillam Sir” from The Family Man is showcased in a scene. That’s not all, there is a scene where Vijay Sethupathi as Michael Vedanay is shown talking to Srikant Tiwari (Manoj Bajpai) to arrange something for him. Add to this the open ending and you never know the cross-over in the next or a future season is under discussion or under writing, which will be an amazing treat for the fans of Raj & DK’s universe.
Suman Kumar has already impressed viewers with The Family Man, the dialogues of which are still very popular. Kumar knows the art of writing compelling content that connects with the audience. Similarly, Farzi is being applauded by the audience for exceptional writing, unique storytelling, and characterisation.
It revolves around Sunny doing (Shahid Kapoor) and Firoz (Bhuvan Arora) who are childhood friends. The story follows the journey of Sunny, an underdog who aspires to make it big in life despite a tough childhood. Through a chance discovery of his talent for counterfeiting notes, he gains notoriety in the criminal underworld, and his life takes a dark turn. The story is centred on his rise as a criminal and his thirst for revenge, amidst a backdrop of an international-level crime syndicate. Is the new hero who is also a villain on the horizon?
Firoz, who is always there to support Sunny, at times, knows him better than Sunny himself does. How these two, involved in counterfeiting of notes are spotted by Michael, a workaholic police officer trying to cope with a divorce and his child’s custody, and then Megha joins Michael’s team. This is what that makes Farzi a gripping cat and mouse game.
Every character has a backstory that is penned very well and written insightfully. These characters have their peculiar nuances that make them relatable and realistic. How Sunny and Firoz comes under the radar of Mansoor Dalal (Kay Kay Menon) and Michael is something to lookout for. This entertaining and nail-biting thriller keeps twisting its plot and different characters are added to keep the interest level at its peak.
The creative works of Raj & DK consistently showcase their penchant for crafting quirky and relatable characters with fully fleshed out pasts and authentic motivations. Their unique approach to storytelling is characterised by its inventiveness, unexpected plot twists, and willingness to challenge conventional genre tropes. In Farzi, their approach is even better and mature.
Shahid Kapoor as Sunny adds a lot of weight to the character, even though he has done this kind of stuff before and is n’t really extending his repertoire here. His mannerism, style, delivery and expressions speak louder than his words. From a good grandson to a moody artist and from thick skinned conman to a soft-hearted admirer, he makes sure that everything lands on point. Shahid Kapoor spills some hardcore dialogues with utter ease and realism, and every episode is an indication of his impeccable performance.
Vijay Sethupathi is known for his devotion, and how he absorbs his characters. As Michael, Vijay looks believable and different, a character that many have seen in the past. For instance Kabir Sawant in Breath into the Shadows and others, but the way Vijay excels and delivers his part is worth applauding. He adds his unique style to Michael’s character. His dialogue delivery in Hindi, might sound a little off to many, but that’s the beauty of effortlessly expressing himself in tense situations.
Bhuvan Arora as Firoz is superb. Bhuvan always had the hunger for winning the audience’s attention that he has sure won it with Farzi. He already impressed content-driven audience with Chaman Bahaar, Bank Chor and Rogan Josh. Here, Bhuvan makes a solid impact, just like Manoj Bajpai in Satya and Zeeshan Ayub in films like Jannat and Raanjhana, a sidekick who remarkably captures every scene and impresses his audience.
Kay Kay Menon is at his finest form in Farzi. He makes sure that his character stays with his fans. His delivery, panache, helplessness and wrath all appear vividly through his expressions. In various scenes, where he flips his personality, he stands out wonderfully.
Watching Amol Palekar is a treat for those who are aware with this epitome of talent. Palekar shows his master-class of performance in multiple scenes, where he just goes mute and silent and he lets his eyes and expressions convey his emotions masterfully. There are just a few scenes of Amol Palekar in Farzi but all of those scenes indicate his command over the character that he plays. Interestingly, Amol Palekar played Shahid Kapoor’s grandfather in Farzi and he previously also worked with Pankaj Kapur in Khamosh (1986) which was outstanding too.
Raashii Khanna as Megha is effective and showcases an earnest effort to do justice with her character. She brings freshness and simplicity with her character and does not go over the top in any scene, but underplays her part decently. Zakir Hussain is a delight to watch, a great actor who makes his audience laugh and smile with a simply smirk and also takes them to another level with his dialogues that are hardcore and very insulting. Scenes between Vijay Sethupathi and Zakir Hussain are so hilarious that they are meme-worthy and many are also circulating on social media as fans are uploading short videos of the bitterness between the two wonderful actors.
A few actors who also stand out based on their characters’ portrayal include Saqib Ayub as Anees, in finale audience loves his appearance, Jaswant Dalal as Shekhar (recently seen in Good Luck Jerry).
The finale i.e. the 8th episode of Farzi is loaded with multiple twists and turns where audience, at times, expect same old treatment. Raj & DK make sure that audience get the juice in the last episode and that’s where they keep the engagement level high. The climax is another unexpected turn that keeps hanging the audience for more. Farzi is a binge-worthy series with zero ‘fast forward’ or skip scene. It offers dialogue that are deeply rooted and make you smile and sad at the same time. The wit is remarkable. Action sequences, chasing scenes and stunts are impressive.
If you are looking for a stylised crime-caper that offers dazzling performances, witty and hard-hitting dialogue, great execution of a thriller, high dose of suspense and characterisation with one of the finest production qualities then you should not miss this one.
Shafiq Ul Hasan Siddiqui is an avid movie buff, and film and drama critic and a digital inbound marketer. He tweets as www.twitter.com/shafiqulhasan81. All information and facts are the responsibility of the writer