Faraaz: A Tale of Bigotry and Courage

Plot:

The film is based on the 2016 terrorist attack on Holey Artisan Cafe in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It follows the story of Faraaz Ayaaz Hossain, who stood against the terrorists and refused to abandon his two female friends at the time of the attack. The film explores the themes of humanity, religion, and extremist mindset.

Acting:

The standout performance in the film is given by Aditya Rawal, who portrays the role of Nibras, a well-educated, English-speaking youngster and the leader of the terrorists. Zahan Kapoor, son of Kunal Kapoor and grandson of Shashi Kapoor, delivers a restrained and balanced performance in his titular role. The supporting cast, including Juhi Babbar Soni, Sachin Lalwani, and Reshham Sahaani, also give sincere performances.

Cinematography:

Pratham Mehta's cinematography is on-point as it captures the shocking violence and shows how a high-end cafe got ravaged in a matter of minutes. The film shows just the right amount of bloodshed but has immense shock value with closeup shots of bullet wounds.

Direction:

Hansal Mehta, who is known for his biographical films like Shahid, Aligarh, Omerta, and the web series Scam 1992, has once again shown his mastery over his story-telling craft. He has handled this subject with extreme sensitivity and care, and his execution doesn't falter. He opens a dialogue between liberals and radicals in a non-dramatic way and addresses the raging debate of tolerance versus intolerance, religion versus radicalism, and humanity above all.

Overall Verdict:

Faraaz isn't an easy film to watch, but it hits hard with its gut-wrenching tale of humanity and courage standing up against bigotry and hatred. It delivers an important message of peace, brotherhood, and empathy without imposing it on the audience. Despite its slow pace and one-toned treatment, the film is adequately gripping and impactful as a confined space hostage thriller. Faraaz stands tall for peace, courage, and brotherhood, making it a must-watch for its poignant subject, fine performances, and sensitive direction.

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