Dark Crime Thriller ‘Farzi’ Delves Into Seedy Underbelly of Counterfeit Currency in India
- Starring Shahid Kapoor and Vijay Sethupathi, the first season, released on Amazon Prime last year, oscillates between the scent of old money hidden under a mattress and the crisp allure of fresh notes from the Treasury.
Crime thriller series “Farzi,” (Fakes),which released last year on Amazon Prime Video, is a captivating blend of deceit, criminal transgressions of convoluted plots, wielded by the bad guy nexus and the relentless pursuit by poorly paid, hapless but dedicated good cops. It is is fueled by unexpectedly polished performances from Shahid Kapoor (Sunny) and Vijay Sethupathi (Inspector Michael).
Directed by the ingenious Raj & DK, famous for their Amazon Prime Video thriller series “The Family Man,” this dark crime thriller delves into the seedy underbelly of counterfeit currency in India, crafting an unforgettable narrative. “Farzi” oscillates between the scent of old money hidden under a mattress and the crisp allure of fresh notes from the Treasury. The irresistible pull of wealth keeps audiences hooked to their seats long into the night.
Set against the backdrop of Mumbai’s bustling streets and concealed back alleys, “Farzi” traces the journey of Sunny, whose father, a “thief” literally abandons him on a train. He is later adopted by his “nanaji” or paternal grandfather, (played by the veteran actor Amol Palekar, whom I almost didn’t recognize!) Under his love, Sunny becomes a talented, conflicted and disillusioned artist grappling with childhood trauma, and the harsh realities of income inequality.
Faced with the impending collapse of his grandfather’s printing press, which publishes the newspaper ‘Kranti’ to champion social reform, Sunny finds himself unable to make ends meet selling replicas of European artists like Van Gogh, Gaughin and Monet on the streets of Mumbai. In a desperate bid for survival, he joins forces with his loyal childhood buddy, another orphan Firoz (Bhuvan Arora) to venture into the perilous realm of counterfeit currency.
How they use their brains to craft and print a perfect “super note” on an antiquated printing press is remarkable. Reminded me of the 2002 “Comedy Catch Me If You Can” with a stellar performance by Leonardo DiCaprio as Frank Abignale junior who fools the system by mass producing counterfeit checks with his uncanny sleight of hand.
However, Sunny and Firoz’s aspirations to outsmart the “system” draws the attention of formidable adversaries, including the ruthless gangster Mansoor (Kay Kay Menon) and the inimitable cop Michael (Sethupathi in a memorable performance).
Each episode peels away layers of a tightly wrapped onion, revealing deeper intricacies with every twist.
Kapoor delivers a compelling portrayal of Sunny, infusing the character with a delicate balance of vulnerability and grit to succeed against all odds. And he exudes a scrawny street-boy appeal. His on-screen camaraderie with Bhuvan Arora adds the glue to their tumultuous journey through the underbelly of the criminal syndicate.
Meanwhile, Sethupathi captivates as Michael, with his broken Hindi, heavily Tamil accented English, and unraveling personal life, coupled with a propensity to wield power by holding the minister hostage over “off-putting” photos. But his Ace card is his unwavering determination to dismantle the Counterfeit Kingpins. Sethupathi possesses an innate ability to elevate every frame he trundles into, asking the minister to translate Hindi rebukes.
Negative themes of greed and betrayal are juxtaposed with acts of redemption, courage, and perseverance. Each episode peels away layers of a tightly wrapped onion, revealing deeper intricacies with every twist. Raj & DK’s meticulous attention to detail permeates every frame, from the bustling streets of Mumbai to the scenic landscapes of Nepal and Jordan where the “slippery streetboys” hire a ship to ferry over a “mountain’ of “fake” money.
What distinguishes “Farzi” is its ensemble cast, comprised of seasoned actors who breathe life into their roles. Kay Kay Menon exudes menace as the enigmatic crime lord Mansoor, while Raashii Khanna shines as the determined officer Megha Vyas. She is hellbent on finding the flaws in the “farzi” money by the thickness of paper, the layered designs, the covert initials hidden on the note, and when everything fails by burning it! The supporting cast, including Zakir Hussain and Regina Cassandra, deliver standout performances. Music by Sachin–Jigar and Tanishk Bagchi punctuates pivotal moments like the “deja vu” of money flying on the railway lines and later billowing down the traffic jammed motorways in Mumbai.
“Farzi” is bingeworthy because of the riveting narrative and compelling characters. No wonder it is one of the most-watched Indian crime thrillers on streaming platforms. It reminds me of how surprised I would feel about a cautious scrutiny of every $500 note presented at a grocery store, pharmacy, restaurant, hotel, or mall on my visits to India. But I suppose everyone has to be careful. Counterfeit money is in circulation.
These days small cashless transactions can be done in India via Gpay and Paytm! But these platforms may have other problems. There are too many “fakes” around, one can’t be too careful.
The Season 1 of “Farzi” is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
With one foot in Huntsville, Alabama, the other in her birth home India, and a heart steeped in humanity, writing is a contemplative practice for Monita Soni. She has published hundreds of poems, movie reviews, book critiques, and essays and contributed to combined literary works. Her two books are My Light Reflections and Flow through My Heart. You can hear her commentaries on Sundial Writers Corner WLRH 89.3FM.