Faraaz (film)

Faraaz is a 2022 Indian Hindi-language biographical action thriller film directed by Hansal Mehta and produced by T-Series and Benaras Media Works. The film supports an ensemble cast with Juhi Babbar, Aamir Ali, Aditya Rawal, Zahan Kapoor, Jatin Sarin, Pallak Lalwani, and six newcomers, Jatin Sarin, Reshham Sahaani, Ninaad Bhatt, Harshal Pawar, and Sachin Lalwani including Kapoor marking their debuts. Based on an actual event, it depicts the Holey Artisan Bakery, July 2016 Dhaka attack that shook Bangladesh. The film premiered at the BFI London Film Festival on 15 October 2022, and was released in India on 3 February 2023. At the 69th Filmfare Awards, the film received five nominations, including Best Film (Critics) and Best Supporting Actor (Rawal), and won Best Male Debut (Rawal).

Plot
The film commences with playful banter among the five terrorists Nibras, Mubashir, Rohan, Bikash & Rajiv in Dhaka, ultimately leading them to Holey Artisan Bakery. Faraaz's family discord unfolds, but he later joins his friends at the bakery, where they get taken hostage. An unexpected attack on police officers near the bakery intensifies the situation.

Inside, tensions rise as hostages are held captive. The police attempt a standoff but face challenges without a blueprint. The government advises mission cancellation for hostage safety, triggering global news coverage. Faraaz's mother, Simeen, confronts RAB DG Benazir, adding to the external pressure.

Midnight arrives, tensions escalate, and a clash between Nibras and Faraaz occurs. Despite a brief truce, Rohan's attempt to leave results in his death. Nibras announces freedom for hostages, except for Faraaz's friends. A heated exchange leads to Faraaz's declaration before his tragic end.

Outside, reinforcements from BAF, DB, Ansar, CID & Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime Unit join for a final assault, ending the terrorists' reign.

Production
On 5 August 2021, the director Hansal Mehta revealed his horror thriller film Faraaz. A joint production, with Anubhav Sinha and Bhushan Kumar depicting the Holey Artisan Bakery attack in July 2016 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Newcomers Aditya Rawal, Zahan Kapoor, Jatin Sarin, Sachin Lalwani, Ninad Bhatt, Harshal Pawar, Palak Lalwani and Reshham Sahaani were cast in the film.

The filming ended on 15 August 2021.

Release
The film premiered at the BFI London Film Festival on 15 October 2022 in 'Thrill' section. It was released in India on 3 February 2023, after Delhi High Court refused to grant stay for release in a suit filed by the mothers of two girls who died in the terrorist attack.

Controversy
The film has been criticized for allegedly "exploiting a horrifying tragedy for profit without asking the permission of victims family." The film's director Mehta defends against those remarks by referring to a The Business Standard opinion article that emphasizes "artistic freedom" and "being a target of cancel culture."

Ruba Ahmed, the mother of Abinta Kabir, who was killed in the attack, filed a writ on February 12, 2023, seeking a ban on the film for misrepresenting her daughter and Bangladesh. After hearing that writ petition, the High Court bench of Md. Khasruzzaman and Md Iqbal Kabir ordered the film to be banned from theatrical and streaming services for being misleading.

Song
The film has two songs, "Musafir ko" written and composed by Sameer Rahat; and "Khairiyat se" composed and produced by Sameer Rahat and written by Alok Ranjan Srivastava and Sameer Rahat.

Reception
Monika Rawal Kukreja reviewing for Hindustan Times praised the performance of ensemble writing, "some fine performances such as: Juhi Babbar Soni as Faraaz's mother is terrific, Aditya Rawal, his brutal portrayal as the brainwashed youth that leaves you in awe, Zahan Kapoor delivers a restrained performance and emotes beautifully". Kukreja praised the lyrics of the song "Musafir ko ghar he aana hai" saying, "[the] highlight of Faraaz remains the soulful, moving lyrics. Written and composed by Sameer Rahat. Concluding, Kukreja wrote, 'Faraaz doesn't set out to send you home with a moral lesson yet puts across its point very subtly." Dishya Sharma of News18 rated the film 3.5 stars out of 5 and wrote, "Faraaz is a trademark Hansal Mehta film and is not for the weak-hearted. The film is bound to leave you disturbed and empty by the end of it." Renuka Vyavahare writing for The Times of India rated 3.5 out of 5 and wrote, "Hansal Mehta’s acclaimed body of work is testament to his sensibility". Praising the performances of ensamble she wrote, "every new actor gives a sincere performance", she appreciated Aditya Rawal who, she said, "portrays every aspect of his character perfectly," and Zahan Kapoor for, "his balanced and effective titular role." For others Vyavahare said, "Newcomers Sachin Lalwani and Reshham Sahaani along with Juhi Babbar play their parts with conviction." Concluding, Vyavahare opined, "As a confined space hostage thriller, Faraaz is adequately gripping and impactful. It, however, isn’t as claustrophobic and gut-wrenching as a Neerja or Hotel Mumbai." Anuj Kumar writing in The Hindu praised the performances of: Juhi Babbar writing, "Juhi brings out the guts and grace of the character with a deft performance", Zahan Kapoor saying, "Zahan gets the tonality of Faraaz right" and Aditya Rawal stating, "Aditya is a revelation as Nibras." Concluding, Kumar mentioned the present scenario of "religious chauvinism" and wrote, "Faraaz is an ache that will gradually grow on the discerning." Umesh Punwani of koimoi rated the film 2/5 and said, "Faraaz is a film that shouldn't have been titled faraaz in the first place. It doesn't revolve around Faraaz, it revolves solely around the attack he lost his life in & hence, it should've been named accordingly."

Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express gave the movie 2 out of 5 starts rating.