Farzi or Fakes

 It starts out a bit slow, but picks up steam and is all the more enjoyable for the buildup.  Sunny, sometimes known as The Artist and his brother Firoz  live a lower class sort of life with their Grandfather.  Soon you learn they are not really related, but form a close family.  The Grandfather's printing business is about to go under.  The Artist (known for his really good fake art that he is open about) comes up with the idea of apply his skills to counterfeiting money.  After some trial and error he succeeds.

At the same time we meet two characters that are on a mission to break up counterfeiting.  Michael is a man who was busted by a reporter who falsely accused him of misappropriate behavior.  As a result he was demoted, became alcoholic and divorced, but still very concerned about counterfeiting.  Meghan is a government employee who pushes for stronger anti counterfeiting measures.  She is single with a mother pushing her to get married.

On top of these two factions we meet up with  a master crook, Mansoor who has big money and hooligans backing him.  He has developed a network for distributing counterfeit money.  A very arrogant, smart and ruthless man who is quick to recognize talent.

These three groups interact while we learn of personal concerns and criminal activities.  Tension builds.  We develop sympathy for some of the characters.  Class does not come with money.  The final episode is heart pumping with contrasting emotions competing for your attention.

There were a lot of classy people responsible for the quality.

The force behind this series and a few other films is known as Raj & DK comprising of Krishna DK and Raj Nidimoru.  The two have a Telegu language background and met studying engineering.  They emigrated to United States to build a career in software engineering.   By 2003 they had collaborated on their first film, "Flavors".  They combined directing, writing and producing over films.  Their film credits include "Stree" (2018) and "The Family Man" (2019-2021) winning awards along the way.

 Music was provided by the Sachin-Jigar team.  Their film credits include "It's Entertainment" (2014), "Badliapur" (2015), "The Family Man" (2019) and "Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui" (2021).  Check http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/01/chandigarh-kare-aashiqui-another-social.html

Pankaj Kumar handled the cinematography.  He has been able to modify scripts.  His award winning career includes "Ship of Theseus" (2012), "Haider" (2014), "Talvar" (2015), "Rangoon" (2017) , "Raat Akeli Hai" (2020) and "Atrangi Re" (2021).   Check:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2017/01/ship-of-thesus.html and catch more about Shahid at  "http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2015/02/haider-bollywoods-version-of-shakespeare.html

Editing was done by Sumeet Kotian.  His film credits include "Drishyam (2015), "Madaari" (2016), "The Family Man" (2019) and "A Thursday" (2022).   Check:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/02/the-message-is-spoiler.html

 Shahid Kapoor is the big draw and demonstrates why he is.   He plays Sunny, the Artist as a smart person who is low class, but is sophisticated enough to understand others of a higher class.  Way different from his earlier romantic comedy roles.  I would say he is the second best male dancer in Bollywood, but there is no demonstration in this film.  His credits include  "Vivah" (2006), "Jab We Met" (2007), "Dil Bole Hadippa" (2009),  "Kaminey" (2009), "Haider" (2014), "Udta Punjab" (2016), "Kabir Singh" (2019) and "Jersey" (2022).  Two blogs cover some noteworthy movies he has starred in  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/09 /arjun-reddy-and-kabir-singh.html and   http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2015/02/haider-bollywoods-version-of-shakespeare.html

Vijay Sethupathi played Michael the dedicated counterfeit hunter.  You will both admire him and feel sorry for him.  Vijay has performed in Hindi, Tamil, Telegu and Malayalam cinema and winning many awards.  His film credits include "Puriyaatha Puthir" (2017), "Vikram Vedha" (2017),  "Super Deluxe" (2019) and "Kadaseela Biriyani" (2021).

Raashi Khanna played the other dedicated counterfeit hunter and the lead female.  As with the Michael character she is hard not to like, but also to feel sorry for.  She has also appeared in Tamil and Telegu cinema.  Her film credits include "Oohalu Gusagusalade" (2014).

Bhuvan Arora played Firoz, the "brother" to Sunny.  Bhuvan has 19 film credits including "Cham Bahaar" (2020).  Apparently the clincher for his audition was a fast talking commercial he had done and at one point is demonstrated in the series.

Kay Kay Menon played Mansoor, one of his many manic negative roles.  He has a degree in physics as well as an M.B.A.  He started his career in advertising, but soon got involved in theatre, television and films.  He has been in films in Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil, Marathi, and Telegu.  His film credits include   "Bhopal Express" (1999), "Main, Meri Patni...Aur Woh" (2005), "Gulaal" )2007)  "Sarkar Raj" (2008), "Mumbai Meri Jaan" (2008),  "Haider" (2015), "Rahasya" (2015) and "The Ghazi Attack" (2017).

Many other actors played supporting roles and gave the story line a lot of credibility.  In sum, the series includes a good mix of crime, action, black comedy and drama.  If you are interested in those elements you will enjoy this series. It deserves its high rating.

I have bolded the first mention of movies I have seen.

The Message is a Spoiler A Thursday

The finish of this movie "A Thursday" (2022) is very moving, in fact has a strong message.  Unfortunately it is a spoiler and for many of my readers it is probably inaccessible for the moment.  It was released to Hula, known as Hotstar in Canada, but is also connected to the Disney Network in the United States and the rest of the world. 

 It is a tense story, but also incongruous.  A teacher of young children quietly lets it be known she is holding 16 children as hostages and will be making demands later.  The first investigator quickly decides that it is a prank until a gunshot is fired.  A negotiator who happens to be pregnant arrives, but is quickly told that the teacher wants a different negotiator, a subordinate and we learn there is resentment between the two.  The first had already called in a combat unit and is ready to charge in, but the second negotiator stops them for the time being.  The teacher this time is controlling the children with cartoons, games and food and is well loved by the children.  She is a very smart negotiator and soon gets national television attention.  

We learn that the teacher has anti-depressant pills and this just seems to confirm that she must be crazy.  She demands a sum of money and to talk to the Prime Minister who is a woman.  All the Prime Minister's advisors tell her not to talk as it would only encourage others.  She is adamant that she does not want to be thought of as callous about the children.  Her staff actually go behind her back and claim she will not talk to the hostage taker, but she finds out and is furious.  The climax of the movie occurs when the two meet.

The teacher/hostage taker is not crazy, but realizes to have her concern paid attention to she had to take drastic action.  The message is strong and at the start of the credits we are all reminded.  I will respect the intent of the producers that the message will have more impact if not revealed too soon.  I assure you that your attention will be riveted.   This movie will likely win some awards, but more than most awarded movies it will leave the viewers stunned.

To put such a film to the public requires an impressive cast and crew.

 Behzad Khambata is the first time director and co-writer after a few sessions as assistant director.

The producers include Ronnie Screwvala with such films as "Rang De Basanti" (2006),  "Barfi" (2012),  "Kai Po Che" (2013)  and "Uri:  The Surgical Strike" (2019).  Read:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2013/05/kai-che-po.html

The background music which adds to the tension is by Kaizad Gherda.  He has been writing for movies and tv. series since 2010.  There are none of the usual Bollywood dance scenes.

Cinematographer Anuj Rakesh Dhawan has worked on such films as "Shubh Mangal Savdhan" (2017), and "Bala" (2019).  Siddharth Vasani, the other cinematographer was with the camera crew for "Uri:  The Surgical Strike" (2019).

Editor Sumeet Kotian   was an assistant editor for "Drishyam" (2015) and associate editor for "Madaari" (2016).   http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2017/02/madaari-open-movie-about-government.html

Yami Gautam was outstanding as the teacher/hostage taker    Her role was demanding as she played a very charming teacher, but also an outraged hostage taker.  Yami studied law and later did many commercials .  She has starred in such films as "Vicky Donor" (2012), "Badlapur" (2015), "Kaabil" (2017), "Uri:  The Surgical Strike" (2019) and"Bala" (2019).     http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/04/vicky-donor-cf-dharala-prabhu.html

Atul Kulkarni played the requested negotiator who had to deal with superiors wanting more action and also the recipient of surprises.  He has been in such films as "Hey Ram" (2000), "Page 3" (2005), "Rang De Basanti" (2006) and "The Ghazi Attack" (2017).

Neha Dhupia played the pregnant original negotiator who kept butting in and uncovering information.  She has appeared in such films as "Dasvidanyia" (2008), "Hindi Medium" (2017), "Qarib Qarib Single" (2017) and "Lust Stories" (2018)

Dimple Kapadia played the Prime Minister as an admired independent leader.  Dimple became a major star at age 16 in "Bobby" (1973).  She married an older star, Rajesh Khanna and quit films.  She did get back in another ten years and appeared in such movies as "Dil Chahta Hai" (2001), "Luck by Chance" (2009), "Finding Fanny" (2014) and "Tenet" (2020).   http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2011/07/dil-chatha-hai-bollywood-classic.html

This has been the highest rated movie seen this year and is likely to remain in the top three.  Worth an effort.   

As usual I have bolded first mentions of other films.