REVIEW OF THE FIRST SEASON OF FARZI: SHAID KAPOOR'S OTT DEBUT

Story: In order to keep his grandfather's printing press from breaking down, a creative person begins the illegal business of creating and printing counterfeit notes. But before he realises it, he is already too far into the mud, and his once-small-time crime has grown into a prosperous gang.

Review: Growing up with animosity against the world, Sunny (Shahid Kapoor) was raised by his maternal grandfather after his father abandoned the family. His only family consists of his Nanu (Amol Palekar) and his best friend Firoz (Bhuvan Arora). He currently makes abstract, gorgeous paintings that he sells for next to nothing, but it's only a matter of time until he makes the transition into the criminal underworld. Initially motivated by a desire to assist his Nanu's venerable publication, "Kranti," he quickly comes to recognise his own artistic potential as a master of the art of designing "Farzi" notes.

Raj and DK dive deep into an aspect of crime that has been underrepresented in film. This intriguing online series contains potentially lethal detail, from the ins and outs of producing phoney notes to how they are distributed and integrated into the system. So much so that we worry criminals would use it. The show has a genuine tone, but the creators rely heavily on cinematic conveniences that are hard to believe and even laughable at points. The fact that only a handful of excellent men and one woman appear to be committed to stopping a massive financial crime being committed in the country only adds insult to injury.

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However, the story of 'Farzi' is told through the eyes of some truly formidable individuals. Every major player is fully realised and etched in detail. Even though their plots are intertwined, not all of them are riveting. The entire subplot with Michael Vedanayagam, an officer in the task force (played by Vijay Sethupathi), feels fairly tacked on, and consequently drags down an otherwise exciting thriller. When filmmakers go from the big to the small screen, they often get carried away with the extra time they have. This programme would have benefited greatly from some careful editing to make it more concise, fascinating, and enjoyable to watch. However, the constant thrill and surprise make this one simple to binge. The show's scope is comparable to that of a feature film, with impressive production values, expansive outdoor settings, and illuminating cinematography (courtesy of Pankaj Kumar).

The importance of performances is also highlighted. Once again, Shahid Kapoor shines as the villainous good guy from Kaminey. In his first OTT series, the actor shines and seamlessly becomes his character. The same can be said for Vijay Sethupathi, who lends his signature approach to the role of the highly determined, rule-breaking police officer Michael. The battle between these two titanic personalities is what keeps the story moving forward with breathtaking momentum. Mansoor, the phoney note kingpin, is played by the hilarious Kay Kay Menon. The actor perfectly captures the idiosyncrasies of his role, from his flashy, ultra-chic, and metrosexual wardrobe to his kachchi Angrezi swearing. Bhuvan Arora shines in the role of Firoz, Sunny's best friend and man Friday. The performer is a pleasant surprise, since he makes you care about Firoz very immediately. In the role of the honourable freedom fighter who places his faith in the youth of the country and his dwindling newspaper, "Kranti," veteran actor Amol Palekar is a perfect fit. Although women are severely outnumbered by men in this narrative, Raashi Khanna shines as the ambitious young professional Megha.

Thankfully, only a handful of the many F and MC, BC terms seem out of place, which is a welcome change from the norm for such shows on OTT. Overall, the conversation is spot-on and perfectly matched to each character. Overall, the positives of 'Farzi' surpass the film's minor flaws, making it a highly recommended heist thriller.